Exercise in First Trimester? - UPDATED

I am about 4 weeks and am not sure what I can and can't do in regards to exercising. I usually go to the gym about 3 times a week to do cardio. One of these days includes kickboxing. Is this safe to continue doing? I have heard something about keeping your heart rate at a certain place but not sure if this is true.

I also do yoga and pilates. I think this is ok for now.

I really don't want to tell my instructors I am preggo before I tell my family and friends.

Any experience/advice? Thanks.

UPDATE: I spoke with the OB coordinator and she told me that I can continue to do what I was doing, kickboxing included. She told me to read my body and pay attention to my heartbeat but that she didn't see anything wrong with continuing. I am still debating doing the kickboxing just b/c I sweat a lot in there and she told me to make sure I don't get dehydrated.

Message edited 6/4/2007 2:42:59 PM.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

I would ask my doctor. Definitely about kick-boxing, I'm not so sure that's safe to continue with since you could get injured.

Pilates and yoga are safe to my knowledge, though when you get in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, certain poses (laying flat on your back) are not so safe. It's good to look for prenatal yoga classes--that way the instructor knows which poses are safe for you to do.

Walking, jogging, stationary cycling, and swimming are all generally considered safe.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

For cardio - you should bring it down a notch - my OB didn't want me doing any, but I convinced him that I was in good shape and I wanted to remain that way and slowly by 3,4,5 months my body told me what I could or couldn't do.

I would tell instructors that you are pregnant. Don't worry about them knowing before family - you want to make sure you are safe.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

I would tell the instructors that you are pregnant. I know it's not ideal but i waited until after a class to tell a pilates instructor that I was pregnant and he was upset. He said there were certain things that he could modify for me that would be safer given my current condition. I really regretted not telling him because I had bright red spotting after that class. Now, I will not do any abs work, no pilates and only light cardio. I was all set to keep up my workout schedule since my Dr. told me that it would be safe, but after the spotting incident, I'd rather not take my chances.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

The rule of thumb seems to be if your body is used to it, keep doing it. Although I don't know about the kickboxing, only because that can be very high impact.

I would lay off the lick boxing until you see your doctor, just to play it safe. Yoga and pilates are ok for now.

I went from running to elyptical, because even though my body is used to running, if I trip or something I could hurt the baby.

Better safe than sorry.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

My doctor encourages working out as long as I feel okay.... Cardio is okay just do it in moderation. If you feel light headed etc then I would stop. My doctor also told me that if I want to lift weights no more than 20lbs. Im taking pregnancy yoga... which my doctor said to definetly take b.c it helps in delivery. Where are you going to deliver?

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

My doctor always said if you were doing it before you can do it while pregnant. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated.

I did kickboxing when I was pregnant, the only thing I did not do was sit ups at the end of class and I did not kick the bag when the instructor came around. HTH

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

My dr. said exercise was fine - anything i had been doing prior to getting pg EXCEPT - he said no abs or crunches of any kind and he told me not to keep doing regular pilates but to only do prenatal pilates. He also said not to do any exercise or anything that required me being flat on my back. He also said to exercise in moderation and not push myself to where i was sweating. That said, i walk and do a prenatal pilates dvd. I stopped running and doing regular pilates - for me - i just wanted to err on the safe side. Hope that helps!

Re: Exercise in First Trimester?

Thanks everyone. I guess I will call the doctor. I was going to ask when I go for my first appt next week but I want to be able to go to the gym this week.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester? - UPDATED

Great post. I have your same concerns. I've been running for years and was told I can continue running when pg. However, when I got my bfp, I freaked out with worry (as I am now) and stopped. I did not go to the dr yet, so in the meantime, I'm power walking instead. I have a list of activities written down to see what I can and can't do. I have seen instructors at my gym teach kickboxing up until labor, but not sure what is really good and what isn't - it depends on the pregnancy and your fitness level prior. I'm sure you will be able to continue most activities, but will need to modify and watch your heartrate. I think the key is listen to your body. Best of luck.

Re: Exercise in First Trimester? - UPDATED

My doctor told me to buy a heartrate monitor and keep my heartrate 150-160 max. You will find your heartrate increases very quickly when you are pregnant.