Exercise in pregnancy

[twolittlemonkeys]

Just wondering what you would do. I fairly recently started going to the gym so am far from a seasoned athlete. I've read that you can carry on running if you are already a fairly competent runner, ditto rowing if you're very competent (I'm neither of these) and am wondering whether it is still worth keeping my gym membership or whether I should just save the money. Swimming and gentle walking seem to be the most recommended activities in pregnancy but as my gym doesn't have a pool and I walk a fair amount with DS1 & 2 am thinking my £20 a month could be better spent. Thoughts?

I have packed in my gym membership but it has more to do with me not using it and preferring to exercise outdoors (even in winter!) or go for a swim, than thinking it's unsuitable. I would think you can continue with whatever cardio routine you do, but tone it down a bit if necessary, e.g. gentle workout on the exercise bike, treadmill etc. For resistance machines maybe you could ask if they could put together a routine that's safe for pregnancy for you? If they can't then consider chucking in the membership. If you stick with it I think you might have to inform them you're pregnant to make sure you're insured to use the equipment etc. But you don't sound that keen, so you might be better spending the cash on a weekly swim, pregnancy yoga/aquanatal class or something...

I'd keep it if you think you'll use it. I didn't go to the gym pre-pregnancy, though I was fairly fit from cycling everywhere, but joined because I had to give up my usual Pilates classes at 14 weeks. When I joined I had a couple of sessions with a personal trainer who specialises in pregnant women, and she showed me a lot of things I could safely do all the way through (cross-trainer, exercise bike, some light weights). I've never been a runner so that's not on the agenda. It's boring but I feel better if I do it.

If you're thinking of spending the money on something else, pregnancy Pilates really, really helps - can't recommend it enough.

Thanks for your thoughts. I should look into Pilates. Haven't been to gym for nearly 2 weeks now but don't want to end up like a blob due to being constantly ravenous, as I did with DS2!

i got some good pregnancy exercise dvds from the library, might be worth a try!

I've been wondering about exercise myself - I don't go to the gym, I'm more into surfing and swimming/body surfing. Does anyone know anything about doing such activities while being pregnant (I'm only just). I figured that if I used to do exercise then its ok to keep on doing it, I'll just have to not go in the water when the waves are on the larger size. Today the water was beautiful, and as summer approaches I'd normally spend loads of time in the sea (I live in the S France, where its much warmer!). Anyway, I thought I'd ask on the off chance - I can't be the only water lover out there!

I've been wondering about exercise myself - I don't go to the gym, I'm more into surfing and swimming/body surfing. Does anyone know anything about doing such activities while being pregnant (I'm only just). I figured that if I used to do exercise then its ok to keep on doing it, I'll just have to not go in the water when the waves are on the larger size. Today the water was beautiful, and as summer approaches I'd normally spend loads of time in the sea (I live in the S France, where its much warmer!). Anyway, I thought I'd ask on the off chance - I can't be the only water lover out there!

Keep it if you think you will use it. Just relax your cardio routines and make sure you would still be capable of having a conversation while working out - it don't push it too much! I was a runner before getting pregnant and I still run 3 or 4 times a week. Have kept my gym membership and do some gentle cardio - exercise bike is v good - once a week. But to be honest I prefer exercising outdoors!