Gym workout

[Hollykate30]

Hey guys,

Do any of you have a good gym workout plan with weights that you've used in your first trimester just keen to make sure I am keeping active xxx

The general rule with all pregnancy exercise is if you could comfortably do it before you became pregnant then you're safe to continue it. So whatever weights plan you previously followed will be ok because your body is already conditioned and strong enough to handle it. If in doubt though, or if you're feeling pregnancy fatigue, go down 1 or 2 kg so as not to exert yourself too much.

Of course some activities need to be modified to suit, like not lying on your back after 16 weeks for bench pressing etc. Just make sure you can still hold a conversation whilst exercising and don't try to set any new personal bests. Like you say, you're just trying to stay active

@IchHabeDurst thank you so much for coming back to me. I'm currently at work and just feel totally wiped but want to try and get to the gym tonight as I am determined not to be immobile you know!! Thanks for the info xxx

Of course some activities need to be modified to suit, like not lying on your back after 16 weeks for bench pressing etc.

Can’t we? I’m still doing this at 19 weeks.

OP I was a big gym goer before, but I was just absolutely wiped in my 1st trimester, I wanted to keep active so just made sure I got a decent walk every day, hitting 10k steps. I have a bit more energy now and can do my usual classes, like Body Combat and Body Pump

You're welcome! I felt the same during pregnancy. I went from working out 6 days a week before I was pregnant, adamant I would stay active throughout my pregnancy when it happened, to having to set more realistic goals because I had no idea how exhausting growing a baby really was!! Generally once you're past the first trimester you start to feel a bit perkier so hang in there and don't over do it. Rest when you feel the need and eat well to fuel all the crazy stuff your body is accomplishing right now. Even just going for a walk counts as staying active

Also, on days where I just wanted to get in from work and not go back out to the gym I would do a small workout at home. It kept me active and mobile but also meant I could wear any weird combination of clothes that fit me at the time due to my growing bump, without anyone else needing to see them lol. I especially liked as she provided workouts for all trimesters and it felt like you'd actually exercised. Take a look! x

@HamCheeseHamnCheese the weight of your uterus after 16 weeks can (not will) press down on and compress a major blood vessel called your vena cava. That can leave you dizzy, nauseous and short of breath. So it's best not to lie flat on your back where possible and that goes for sleep too. Don't panic if you do wake in the night on your back though. As long as you and baby feel ok just roll back onto your side and carry on sleeping

@IchHabeDurst thanks for the video it looks really good. I didn't make it tonight!!! I was just wanting to head home and have a bath and take care of myself that way which I have done! Tomorrow I am determined though - I will be a fit mumma xxx

Gosh I would have loved to be able to work on my fitness in the first trimester. I spent whole days weeks gagging just because I was upright! So if you can do it, just do it and enjoy. Listen to your body and it's fine. Like others said, if your body is used to it and doesn't protest you can keep doing it.

@IchHabeDurst Thanks, that’s good to know. I’m not a back sleeper but good to know for when I’m lying on the couch, or exercising. How do you modify your bench press btw?

@Hollykate30 Don't worry about not hitting the gym tonight. We'll done for taking care of yourself and resting tonight! Take each day as it comes and see what you feel like doing tomorrow.

@HamCheeseHamnCheese You should switch to seated, upright alternative exercises to work the same muscle groups as you would do during a bench press. Or you can switch to an incline bench. All to avoid lying flat.

I've just found some really good advice on the Tommys website regarding working out with weights. Very handy!

Hope that helps! I love talking about pregnancy and exercise! 2 lovely subjects to me