24 Jul Working Out During Pregnancy
With the joys of becoming a new mother, I had lots of anticipation. One of those was would it be safe for me to workout during my pregnancy. So with that anticipation, I went to the gym to cancel my membership. I was 2 months pregnant, I didn’t know that I could workout while pregnant or what to do if I did. That’s when I met Michelle who was 4 months pregnant and a personal trainer and Pilates instructor at the gym. She took me through a Pilates workout that was safe and effective. I knew after that workout that I really needed that for my health both physically and mentally. I not only didn’t cancel my membership but I signed up for personal training.
I continued to do Pilates throughout my whole pregnancy and started right back up 6 weeks after the baby was born. I fell in love with how great it made me feel. I had fewer aches and pains on the days I worked out as well as more energy. Also being a soon to be new Mom it was great to know someone who was going through the same things I was. Now here I am 9 years later, our kids have grown up together, we are friends, we travel together and we own a Pilates Studio together.
I have 2 kids now, an 8-year-old and 4-year-old. I have worked out through both of my pregnancies. I reaped so many benefits from exercise during pregnancy.
Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy
- Fewer aches and pains
- Quicker recovery ( I had two C-Sections and the nurses were blown away at my recovery)
- Less weight gain ( I gained 32 lbs with the first and 25 lbs with my second)
- Faster weights loss post pregnancy
- Less stress and a boost in energy
- Better Sleep
There are many misconceptions about working out during pregnancy. One of them being that if you didn’t work out before you got pregnant you shouldn’t start. You should definitely check with your doctor first, but most healthy pregnant women can start a new workout program without complications. As long as you are starting a workout program that is at a low intensity if you are a beginner. I had not done much physical activity before pregnancy other than the treadmill or elliptical. There are definitely precautions to take with exercise during pregnancy, but that should not make you shy away from it all together because the benefits can really outweigh the alternative.
The main precaution to take when exercising during pregnancy is to avoid lying flat on your back for a prolonged period of time during the second and third trimester, not to elevate your heart rate to a high-intensity level of being out off breath, and lifting heavy weight overhead that could cause strain in the low back muscles. Most classes such as Pilates, Barre, Yoga, and TRX can be very safe forms of strength training during pregnancy.