Okay, I KNOW I should know this. It's my second time around, but quite frankly, I didn't do much of anything but walk during my last pregnancy. But this time, I belong to a gym and have been working out for 4 months prior to getting pregnant. So, I know it's safe for me to continue with my cardio stuff. But is strength training safe? For some reason something about "weight bearing" is echoing around in my brain. Anybody know? All my books are on loan still and I don't know where to check.
excercise, what is safe?
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If you have been strength training already you can continue if you have no medical reason not to.
Just lighten your load, don't lift enough that you have to grunt or strain. If you have to hold your breath while you lift you're lifting too much. Avoid a lot of weight on thigh machines which can really strain your loosening pelvic ligaments and stress your back.
Other than that just make sure you keep breathing and stay hydrated! You don't want to overheat your core, especially in the first trimester. Obviously stop if you feel dizzy, sick, or strained. Don't forget that your ligaments are all getting loose, you may not be as stable as you once were.
HTH,
Amy
Just lighten your load, don't lift enough that you have to grunt or strain. If you have to hold your breath while you lift you're lifting too much. Avoid a lot of weight on thigh machines which can really strain your loosening pelvic ligaments and stress your back.
Other than that just make sure you keep breathing and stay hydrated! You don't want to overheat your core, especially in the first trimester. Obviously stop if you feel dizzy, sick, or strained. Don't forget that your ligaments are all getting loose, you may not be as stable as you once were.
HTH,
Amy
As the previous poster stated, it is safe to continue any exercise you were previously practicing (excluding water skiing, rock climbing, boxing, and the like
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If you were not practicing strength training prior to becoming pregnant, it should be okay to begin some very simple light exercises (bicep curls, tricep presses, leg curls, etc)...
I have practiced strength training for years now and have continued practically all my same exercises (minus a few like belly-lying hamstring curls, etc) so far w/ no problems (I am almost 20 weeks).
Other than strength training w/ weights, pilates during pregnancy is a great, safe strength training exercise. There are many pregnancy pilates videos and classes available now.
Swimming is another great option, as is prenatal yoga, tai chih, & bicycling (in 1st trimester and early 2nd).
If you were not practicing strength training prior to becoming pregnant, it should be okay to begin some very simple light exercises (bicep curls, tricep presses, leg curls, etc)...
I have practiced strength training for years now and have continued practically all my same exercises (minus a few like belly-lying hamstring curls, etc) so far w/ no problems (I am almost 20 weeks).
Other than strength training w/ weights, pilates during pregnancy is a great, safe strength training exercise. There are many pregnancy pilates videos and classes available now.
Swimming is another great option, as is prenatal yoga, tai chih, & bicycling (in 1st trimester and early 2nd).
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