Calling all pregnant exercise lovers!

[Cb700]

I’m wanting to see what other people do. I have always done about 5 exercise classes a week - Shabam, body step, body balance LBT etc and also enjoy hill walking. I am 20 weeks pregnant aged 40 (after ttc got 8 years and 6 ivf) I have asked doctors and midwife if it is ok to carry on they have said yes as long as it’s low impact and obviously no stomach work and not to lay on my back. Does anyone else do this sorts of classes? I attended a pregnancy yoga class this week but it really wasn’t for me - too tame lol!

[Gettingonabitnow]

Hi! I do body balance and also Pilates, but I’m only 7 weeks. I really want to keep going with Pilates as it’s so good for toning but not sure how long I’ll be able to.

[Parkermumma07]

I ran and exercised whilst pregnant both times. A mixture of running (jogging) spin class, step class, and just general gym workouts I just went at my own pace and didnt worry too much about keeping up with the rest of the class. Apparently regular exercise (as long as your used to it pre pregnancy) makes labour easier, both labour's were OK painful but nothing I couldn't cope with(with a little help from gas and air :))

[Hollywhiskey]

I'm 24 weeks - I run, so far this pregnancy I've done a 15 mile race, two half marathons, some 5k swims, London Marathon and regular parkruns. Last time round I ran until 27 weeks and rode my horse until 37 weeks when my bump dropped and started getting in the way.
Assuming you're not told otherwise by your midwife, exercise in pregnancy is great. Just listen to your body and do what feels good.

[Lorrie3]

Yup same as others here. Currently 38 +3 and doing group Pt up until this morning 3 times a week... As my pregnancy progressed my trainer just adapted the workouts and exercises to suit. Also do regular park walks and pregnancy yoga.. Which I also almost gave up because I found it too tame also.. BUT my advice would be stick with it its been super beneficial for nights when you can't get comfy in bed breathing techniques are super and also the stretches for when your back is sore or you are running out of space in there!!

[Kathryn19]

I'm 25 weeks and doing about 3 classes a week (spin, body bump and circuits) plus a gym session alone (normally row or bike, stairmaster, weights and pelvic floor work). I tried pregnancy pilates but not for me so just sticking to an additional home yoga/pilates routine a week. I did stop doing high impact (running, anything jumpy, squash) at 19/20 weeks but that's just because I personally found it to be uncomfortable and make me feel like I desperately needed the loo!

[Kathryn19]

Oh also I do things that involve short periods on back as not yet uncomfortable e.g. bench press but have cut out straining ab work such as crunches, leg raises

[Parkermumma07]

Oh and swimming is fantastic towards the end when your really heavy the water makes you feel so much lighter. It was bliss in the last few weeks

[LittleAndOften]

I'm 14w and just started swimming 3 times a week. I've been too scared up until now (history of m/cs) to risk it. But the feeling of weightlessness is amazing, even if I'm not yet pushing it physically. I had a traumatic birth with DS so I'm hoping being fitter might help.

[nickyXjayno]

I'm a running but haven't run I about 3 weeks. Been to exhausted after work. I have a very physical job. Am hoping to get back into running in second tri when energy levels come back

[Koalaby]

I'm 22 weeks and still running and doing my normal Pilates class. In my previous pregnancy I kept running until 7 months and did Pilates right up to the end. Hoping to be able to do the same this time!

Hollywhiskey you ran a marathon?? Wow! At how many weeks?

[Gettingonabitnow]

Koalaby Are you still doing all your normal core stuff at Pilates or are you modifying?

[Torsz]

I'm 37+1 and am doing step aerobics and body balance - I've just stopped the high intensity moves and do modifications when they're doing ab work, lying on stomach etc. I love my classes and have been told by my midwife etc that it's good to keep in shape - just listen to your body, try to keep cool and drink lots of water ☺️

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I did ballet, circuit training, aerobics and yoga up until 38 weeks with my first pregnancy, so at least five times a week. I only stopped doing normal abs stuff like crunches when lying on my back made me light-headed (at some point past 20 weeks). I did tap up until 20-something weeks when the bouncing around just got too uncomfortable.

DS1 is now a keen ballet and tap dancer

Zero exercise when pregnant with DS2 apart from the odd pregnancy yoga DVD - I was too exhausted with working full-time and chasing around after a barely-sleeping toddler. Have struggled to find the time and energy to exercise since, so enjoy it while you still can!

[Minesril]

I cycle everywhere (no car!). Do a kettlebells class once a week, the instructors gives me modified moves. I do the 30 day shred video every day when I'm not kettlebelling, but modify some of it - step touch instead of jumping jacks, no crunches.

[Koalaby]

Gettingonabitnow I haven't had to modify anything at Pilates yet. Last time I eventually had to stop doing the things that put weight on my stomach and took it a bit easier but was able to do most stuff until late on. My teacher is a physiotherapist so she keeps a close eye on me and checks for diastasis - it's reassuring!

[LivingOnAPear]

I’m 36 weeks age 40 too and have done body pump, step and spinning throughout my pregnancy. I hardly ever see any pregnant people exercising so I’m not sure where they all go.
I avoid abs work or pushups. I did much more my first pregnancy and carried on doing abs and push ups but I got diastasis rectus so I’m giving most core work a miss this time. I carried on exercising past my due date with my first as I felt great and when I was in labour the paramedic asked me if I was an athlete as my heart rate was so low. This was a proud moment as I was always so unfit when I was in my teens and 30s.

[Laura1609]

I’m 32 weeks and have been continuing weightlifting during the whole pregnancy as well as walking my dog for about 2 hours a day. There are certain exercises I’ve stopped due to discomfort as I’ve gotten bigger but it’s kept me sane. Generally try to get to the gym 3-4 times a week and midwifes have told me to carry on if I’ve always been so active. I’d say listen to your body, if something doesn’t feel right then stop but it’s better for you to keep active during this time if you can.

[Cb700]

Thank you lovely ladies exercise makes me really happy so don’t want to stop until I have to. I was wanting to carry on step and dance classes until I am 30 weeks (at least!) Are small weights ok to lift I know your back is said to be a lot weaker.

[Torsz]

@Cb700 you should be fine - I did step yesterday at 38 weeks and plan on keeping going up until baby comes 😊 I think weights are ok as long as you've been doing them throughout, I stopped early on so haven't dared start again!

[Kathryn19]

@Cb700 I'm still lifting weights at 26 weeks. Midwife said it was fine as previous poster said to carry on with anything I've done before. I've gone a little lighter mostly as I really want to avoid injury. And body pump instructor advised that as time goes on I may feel I don't want to lift as much overhead due to low blood pressure. But generally fine

[Cb700]

I’m now 26 weeks and my LBT instructor said I should stop step aerobics as the pounding could cause miscarriage? What do you guys think - when I have asked my midwife in the past she said to carry on until I felt ok and comfortable.

[Kathryn19]

@Cb700 I don't think there is any evidence for this. I would go by what a doctor says ultimately - which is normally that you can do what you did before as long as it feels okay, you don't have any other issues that cause you to need to stop. I'll be honest, I avoid classes where the instructor has very strong opinions I don't agree with or seems uncomfortable with me being there.

[pinksummer]

I was an avid gym goer and am now an instructor. I did Body Pump to full term.
As an instructor I'd say take the low impact options, so no jumping, light weights above your head. No laying on your back. If you do, then use a step with 4 risers on one end and none on the other. So quite an incline. No ab work, just lay on that incline bench and do pelvic floor exercises.
You tube/google Les Mills Body pump Pregnancy and you'll get some good advice.

[dementedpixie]

There was a girl in my pump/ attack classes that was there until 39 weeks of pregnancy. I don't know how she got the bar past her bump in those final weeks! She had her step on an incline and did alternative exercises in the abs track. She did lower impact options in attack