Weights in the gym

[Mummydizzy]

Hi ladies

I’m 8 weeks preggo and I used to be a totally obsessed gym bunny until Christmas when I lost my motivation completely. I still went occasionally tho. I went back today and hit the weights I felt fine although a little dizzy due to low bloody pressure and experienced some lower back pain which I think is to be expected.

Any other gym bunnies expecting?

It’s fine to carry on with the level of excercise you’re used to for as long as feels comfy.

However, do listen to your body. Dizziness is a sign to take a breather and dial it back a bit. Pain anywhere is similar.

As the pregnancy progresses (and we are all different) you may find your blood pressure rises or falls, your balance will change because of the bump and your ligaments will loosen, which increases the chances of injury.

It’s also important not to redline your heart rate for long as this can divert blood from the growing foetus. Stay hydrated, don’t overheat.

Basically - carry on, be fit, you absolutely do not have to sit down for nine months! But do listen to your body and adapt accordingly.

I was quite a serious runner pre first baby - by 20 weeks I was on crutches with Spd :(

Not sure I'd describe myself as gym bunny but I did use to go 3-5 times a week - weight training & cardio. I'm also about 8 weeks pg and last week managed to go only 3 times and one of them was just long walk on a treadmill... Feeling bit tired but thankfully not really nausea or anything.

Thanks ladies. I’m feeling so sluggish and tired and exercise is the only thing that keeps me sane. I’m going to keep well clear of hiit workouts and just stick to the weights don’t fancy overheating and passing out. x

Definitely don't do HIIT or any exercise that involves jumping due to the fact your ligaments get more lax. You can do running, cycling and classes like spin and body pump if you did them regulary before and most importantly it doesn't hurt. Though with those exercises you are advised to stay in maintenance mode during your pregnancy and give up if they become uncomfortable.

I have had to give up a HIIT class and a circuits class. The worse thing was I was getting back into doing circuits.

If your gym has a pool you might find that useful as the pregnancy progresses.

Lower back pain, whilst common, isn't considered normal, or to be expected. And it would be unusual to feel it this early if it is pregnancy related. It's more likely that you did too much as you haven't been going much since Christmas. Do what's comfortable for your body. If your BP is low and you are dizzy, try increasing your fluids throughout the day

I'm 21 weeks and still going to Crossfit. I don't go as often, the weights are scaled back a lot and I have a few more breathers in the middle of a workout. The coaches have been amazing and helped me switch out exercises if there are core heavy or something that's not feeling good that day, but I'm still able to go to the olympic weightlifting classes for now, amd my friends keep an eye on me too. If I had to give up cold turkey I'd be so bored and miss all my friends!

You can keep doing what you've been doing pre pregnancy- within reason. And watch your back. If it's sore then that can be a sign you might need lighter weights etc.

Very surprised to hear that a pp had to give up hiit and circuits. I did Metafit till about 28 weeks and am still doing circuits now at almost 39 weeks. I made adaptations like no sit ups, no exercises on my back after 16 weeks, less jumping if I felt unstable. But overall I felt circuits was quite an adaptable pregnancy friendly work out.