Gym classes during pregnancy

I am not an expert (at all), but I have seen a bit of info about this, from what I have read, tummy exercises are not a good idea, and nothing too strenuous (like RPM would be). I have read that you should keep your heart rate below 140 (not sure how accurate that advice is, but I would say would be a good indication as to what was too strenuous). I know there are pregnancy Pilates, yoga and aqua aerobics etc classes available. So maybe look into giving them a go? But if you are real keen on doing the classes, ask the instructor... It cant hurt to ask.

I've been doing all the Les Mills classes right through - I have just been going easier than I would before and taking my weights back on the Pump classes.

I also tilt my step for Pump - usually with 2 rises at least beneath so I can get up again much more easily.

I was very fit pre-pregnancy and I found all the exercise 'advice' very confusing - and normally not applicable to me. What I have learnt to go with is how comfortable I feel. When I got to about 15/16 weeks, doing a high impact version of Attack was no longer comfortable, so I took it down to low impact.

I still go to one RPM class a week, but I have had to totally change my bike set up since leaning over so far isn't an option any more! But I know when I need to cruise for a track, and I definitely don't go as hard as I used to.

I haven't done any sit ups for quite some time, or any 'plank' exercises. In Balance, they normally tell you what the pregnancy options are, but you won't really need those til you're a lot further along.

I asked the Pump instructor when I was about 5 weeks along and I was worried too - she was great - said not to do more than I was doing, but that I was fine to carry on as I had been. Until of course, you don't feel like you can any more! I'm getting close to that stage now!

But I know people that were still going for 7-8km runs 4 times a week when they were 7 months along! For me it was just important to keep moving and keep going along, even if I do feel a bit like a freak show, and people keep looking at me like I am going to give birth on the floor in front of them!

Ask your LMC, and ask the gym instructors - and then go with how you feel as well. You shouldn't feel like you need to sleep for a week after your class! You'll figure out what you can do as you go along.

Sorry for the novel, I hope that's even a little bit helpful! I found it really frustrating trying to get some advice when I was at your stage!

PS. Emmi! Congrats on your pregnancy!

Yup, definately let your instructor know you are pg so they can point out things that you should avoid.

Generally if you have been at the gym before you got pregnant you are fine to carry on with the same level of exercise, it's just if you decide to try to get fit once you are pregnant I think! That's what I was told by gym staff where I go and it's really important too to tell them you are pregnant.

I'm still going to the gym, doing mostly cardio and really light weights, nothing at all for abs or around tummy. True too about not getting too overheated or letting your heartrate get too high for a long time. I am still managing with normal pilates cos I was doing that before I got pregnant, but same with none of the ab stuff and being really careful with the back exercises. Will be going to pregnancy pilates soon thou, can't get flat on my tummy anymore!

Emachan – brilliant! Thanks so much for letting us know where those brochures are. I never thought to look on their international website and I even complained there was nothing on their NZ site.

I'm an off and on kinda gym person and I was off for about 8 months prior to falling PG. I'm hoping this will still be okay for me to go back. I will take it easy (like 2 x 1 KG weights in Pump, to start). MS is keeping me away at the moment, though.

Hmm,
My midwife said it was fine to keep doing what I was doing before pregnancy, and just let my body tell me when to slow down.
I am still doing 60 sit ups aprrox 4-5 x per week as part of my 40 minute routine and so far have not noticed any niggles. I have been doing this work out for years though. The only consession is that I take a couple of minutes break about half way through my cardio to let my heart rate and breathing settle down otherwise I am doing as much and as hard as before. OK I know very early days yet and expect to have to slow down sometime in the next month or so, but feel a lot worse if I dont do my exercise than if I do!

Oh good millyz,
I hopefully I might be able to carry on for another couple of months then!
Was planning on quizzing my midwife on it at my next appointment but thats not till I am about 15 weeks.
Really keen to keep going as I have had chronic back issues, but these have been great since I have been rowing and doing sit ups to keep the lower back and abdo toned and mobile. Am worried about the extra load of pregnancy and my back going bad again!