Exercise - using hand weights

[Peaky1]

Hi all. I'm only 5 weeks pregnant and am continuing with my regular fitness regime for as long as I can and then calming down as my body (or midwife) tells me. I run twice a week (about 3 miles ish) and do exercise DVDs - I'm a Davina fan in particular.

I have just received a pre and post natal workout dvd to try and one of the first things she said was to not use hand weights but she didn't explain why. Does anybody know why? Common sense just tells me that it's more about your changing centre of gravity and watching your balance...or perhaps lax ligaments due to hormones. I'm a physiotherapist myself (paediatrics) and I'm struggling to justify not using something as light as 2kg weights at such an early stage of pregnancy. I'd like to keep doing my Davina dvds as long as I can! I know she has also done a pre/post natal workout too and I've ordered it but the reviews say that it's VERY gentle and better for 3rd trimester.

Any other thoughts?

Hi
I have been using weights for ages at the gym I do 4 hour and half sessions a week. I lost 5 stone and enjoy the gym. I was bench pressing 40kg when I was 6 weeks pregnant ( I did not know I was ). My personal trainer told me not to do weights any more when I found out, just swimming and cross training. I asked my GP who said I can do weights just not has heavy as I have been , so very confusing. I think it is down to ligaments but like you not told why also. I have still been doing some small weights but nothing more then 6kg. I would be good for someone to let us know why.

I've got a couple of contacts in physic world and also personal training world so I'll do some digging and see what I find out. I'll let you know!

I'm intrigued by this.....I am watching to see what Peaky comes back with. I am 17 weeks and I have been doing handweights but not as heavy as before. I have stopped bodypump as I tend to push myself too hard but my instructor said it was fine to continue body pump but just do some modified exercises and lighter weights. I just chose not too.

I am finding I need to keep dropping my weights and I try to focus on something that I can do 20 reps fairly easily with only the last few feeling a little hard. Hopefully that isn't too much???

It doesn't make sense does it. It's just the way she said it on the dvd, shaking her head. I wouldn't mind but I only use a pumy 2kg on each arm, lol! I imagine it's common sense and modifying but am trying to find out...

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm also a physio (also in paeds!) and am pro maintaining my fitness as much as I can. My job, like your's I imagine, is quite physical and I know I really won't be able to do it if I lose too much fitness, plus being fit for birth and new motherhood can only be a good thing hey? I think, as you say, a common sense approach is the best way to manage exercise in pregnancy. Whilst you need to be guided by midwives etc, I have found that many of them are very conservative when it comes to what you can and can't do. Only you have a really good understanding of your own body and how fit and strong you are. I would have thought light weights, if you're used to doing them, would pose no problems at all, but I would say you need to be really using your core muscles when you're doing them. I don't use weights, because I never have, but I still lift and carry all the equipment I normally do at work - I'm just extra careful about engaging my core and pelvic floor and maintaining good posture etc. a chance to practice what we preach!! Also don't write off the running too soon. Again, you will find midwives and others telling you to stop, but if you still feel comfortable, then carry on. I was running a lot before getting pregnant and have carried on, just gradually getting slower and reducing my distance. Now, at 27 weeks, I'm currently running for 30 mins 3 times a week and cycle to and from work (50 mins each way) 2-3 times a week. I take each week as it comes and don't put any pressure on myself, but for now I feel great keeping myself fit, so would plan to stick at it in some form or another for as long as I can. I think as physios we have a lot more knowledge about our own bodies and how to tailor exercise than a lot of people, so this has helped me to keep going sensibly and stay injury free. Good luck

Hi all. I've got my personal trainer DP thinking about it, as he also sees no reason why you shouldn't continue what you're used to, be sensible and adapt/cut down as your body tells you.

I also found this on baby centre that is a bit more of a profound answer:
www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-lift-weights-during-pregnancy_4345.bc

Hooray! I can get back to my dvds and see how I feel. Thanks for all responses.

blushingmare - nice to meet someone in the same boat as me!

I ran til 37 weeks and 34 weeks with no problems at all (2 pregnancies). Never been a fan of weights but while preg with #2 was quite happily carting round a 21 lb toddler plus shopping with no ill effects! I was told to continue what you're used to but to listen to your ody and make adjustments as pregnancy progressed.