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Hi everyone,
I just had my BFP confirmed today, and I forgot to ask the GP about exercising. I currently do Body Jam, Body Pump and Aqua classes at the gym... does anyone know if I can keep doing these classes?
The doctor said that I am very early in my pregnancy so I don't want to over exert myself and cause any harm.
What are everyones thoughts?
My doc said to do more gentler exercises that are supported such as walking and especially swimming as the relaxin hormone losens your joints and makes you more prone to injury. I'd probably just keep up the aqua classes and go for walks and jogs on the treadmills, but that is what I PERSONALLY would do everyone is different :-)
hi kellied, congratulations.
the normal advice is that you can do whatever it is that you were doing, but not starting anything new. there is no harm in doing all those classes, but just watch you dont get too hot and drink a bit more than usual.
i was jogging 3-4 times a week before getting pregnant and have continued that, although i slow to a walk as soon as i feel any twinges and i dont go out when its too hot now. just being sensible. but keep in mind some athletes continue to train at a professional level for much of their preg so doing a few aerobics classes is fine. not only that the fitter you are during preg, the better your body recovers after preg, and there is some evidence that labour goes a bit more smoothly.
good luck
I was told you could keep doing what you have been doing, as long as you don't get too hot and it is not uncomfortable. My gf was an aerobics instructor and continues to do all classes except Step (she says it feels like her tummy is down at her knees when she has to jump over the step!) She is due to have #1 on the 5th March!
Kellie, tell the gym that you are pg also. Maybe consider doing some specialised pg classes just during this time.
My neighbour did Aqua aerobics right through both of her pregnancies, we use to do classes with a pregnant instructor ;)
congratulations on the pregnancy, btw, I personally found that exercise or not made no difference to any of my pregnancies.
Good luck with everything and just have a chat with your doc about it for reassurance and as melbo said, tell the gym about it. Sometimes in the local paper they have classes especially for pregnant woman, yoga ones I've seen.
I was also told to keep doing what you were doing. Unfortunately I wasn't doing any exercise when I got pg :( Which reminds me, if I am TTC#2 I better start hitting the gym NOW!!
Kellie - firstly congrats on the pregnancy!!
I was told that exercise during pregnancy is OK to do, could even be beneficial for the baby. Before I got pg I was doing body pump, RPM as well as a hard workout on treadmill, cross trainer, bike and weights. When I found out I was pg, I toned it down and made sure that I didnt strain myself too much. I also have just started an aquanatal class.. The aquanatal instructer said that if you cant talk while excercising then you are working too hard.
If you want to continue doing your classes, have a chat to your instructer, they should be able to tell you how hard to work and drink lots of water and try not to overheat yourself.
Also, just take it one day at a time. You may feel great right now but you could get to a phase where the last thing you want to do is go to the gym. I took it 1 day at a time and ended up not going to the gym from wks 6-12 because I just did not have the energy. Now I am back at the gym and am feeling great about it!
Kellie - The main thing is to listen to your body! I am still doing body pump and step. I've dropped back on the weights with pump (got my BFP after the Christmas break when I hadn't been for a while, so had two reasons for dropping back). I noticed a couple of slight cramps for about weeks 5-7, then I have been fine since then. I think it was just because I was so conscious of keeping those stomach muscles tight. With step, I haven't been doing as much of the jumping up and down, taking the easier options of stepping across, rather than jumping.
Talk to your instructor, because you will need some exercises modified (ie shouldn't lie on your back after week 12 I think).
thanks everyone, I might go along to the body jam class tonight, but take it a bit easier than normal, and I'll keep away from the spins and turns cause they make me dizzy at the best of times!
Also, I heard that body combat is a no no because of the kicking. Does anyone know if thats true?
Kellie - I haven't heard that about combat. I used to do that but the classes are on too late for when I have nothing to do at work (like most of this year). Check with the instructor.
I have continued all of my exercise, but just toned it down according to how I'm feeling that day. I told my instructor at the gym & that was great. He went through all the different things about pg. He did recommend stopping Pump though, just because the ligaments start to loosen & it is much easier to injure your back with the rows etc. But it is up to you. I still run & use the stepper & swimming has become my favourite exercise again!
All the best with it!
Relaxin is an issue in pregnancy, but more often not until the third trimester, as the body kicks into gear for labour. I was doing body jam too, until I tore my ACL (pre-pregnancy) ... In weeks 4-7 I was doing rowing machine, treadmill, eliptical and upright bike...Right now I am doing stuff all because I keep fainting and I feel wretched! Just go at your own pace, listen to your body, and adjust your program as needed! Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Tell your instructers that you are preganent, and keep your kicks low. Listen to your body, and dont over do it, or over heat. Drink plenty of fluid.
I do water aerobics, and that has been fine, i just tone down a few bits to suit, I dont rebound, do high side kicks etc, or to much that uses my stomach muscles. .
With anything, specially with kicking etc, keep an eye on other peoples. I near got kicked in the belly doing water aerobics.