https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:34:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1648206 Tue, 20 May 2014 21:40:08 +0000 Corduroy 1648206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charmed: It may be hard to believe at this point but your body will send you clear signals when you need to change things up. I remember I cut burpees out of my workout before it was advised because it felt wrong. At the transition to second trimester I didn't see the big deal about laying on my back but a few weeks later it was unthinkable - even for an ultrasound. It's hard to get good information because every body is different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1648085 Tue, 20 May 2014 20:09:25 +0000 charmed 1648085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Woolly Mammoth: I've found the same thing about relaxin and injury to the mother in my searching. </p> <p>The other issues I've read about are<br /> - no exercises flat on your back after the 1st trimester<br /> - be careful with up and down movements like burpees/deep squats (could make you lightheaded/dizzy)</p> <p>Then I've found conflicting info about ab work - some places say none at all, some say no crunches, others say plank all the time!</p> <p>I just wish there was better/more current information out there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647904 Tue, 20 May 2014 18:43:02 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 1647904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I continued to work with my trainer throughout my pregnancy. I was definitely lifting more than 25 pounds. I never found a great resource on the safety of lifting while pregnant, but my trainer had worked with other pregnant women. </p> <p>My understanding was that the main danger is of an injury to the mother because of loose ligaments (caused by relaxin). I avoided jerky movements, concentrated on form, and paid attention to my body. I could definitely tell when I needed to step back on weights. By the end I was doing a lot of body weight exercises, but of course I was carrying around an extra forty pounds! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647879 Tue, 20 May 2014 18:25:53 +0000 babybean404 1647879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: glad you like it. I do them at the gym and just play the videos several times...I used to use an interval timer app on my phone but it's more motivating when she talks me through it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647851 Tue, 20 May 2014 17:59:13 +0000 Oliviapope 1647851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: great link! thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647850 Tue, 20 May 2014 17:58:17 +0000 Oliviapope 1647850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charmed: This is something I'd love to learn more about. At the dr's office today she suggested looking into strength training. (I've done classes, and routines by the Tone It Up girls, so am not a total newbie, but definitely not an expert. Was actually surprised she suggested it.) She suggested no more than 50 lbs.</p> <p>Definitely going to look up these links resources, and following to see other advice that may come through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647847 Tue, 20 May 2014 17:56:04 +0000 babybean404 1647847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love blondeponytail.com's prenatal workouts. I have not done crossfit so I'm not used to lifting REALLY heavy. I like that she is pregnant in the videos! <a href="http://blondeponytail.com/workouts/prenatal-fitness/" rel="nofollow">http://blondeponytail.com/workouts/prenatal-fitness/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647166 Tue, 20 May 2014 13:39:38 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1647166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following! I do Crossfit and don't want to give it up when/if I get pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1647138 Tue, 20 May 2014 13:34:51 +0000 Sammyfab 1647138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I highly doubt you'll find anything online that will advocate lifting above the 25lb range. The best advice you will read is to continue what you were doing prior to pregnancy (within your comfort levels) and not start anything new. You know your body best!</p> <p>Like others, I did crossfit until I was 39 weeks and I was was lifting pre-pg bodyweight. I didn't even tell my midwives that I was lifting weights because I knew what they'd say (same thing your brochure said!) but I did tell my trainers. Since I had been doing CF for a long time at that point, I decided my own weights and scaled accordingly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646874 Tue, 20 May 2014 12:14:24 +0000 Lozza 1646874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also did Crossfit through 36 weeks or so, and never had a problem continuing to lift, I just kind of adjusted to what I was comfortable with.<br /> @Corduroy: @Revel: I totally had these delusions of going back to Crossfit during maternity leave (they even have childcare for some sessions at my gym) and now I'm 7.5 months pp and have yet to go back! I run on the treadmill twice a week, but it's really hard to fit in CF classes with my schedule currently. I've decided that I'll sign up again when I wean and am no longer worried about getting home and nursing right away after work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646682 Tue, 20 May 2014 11:11:34 +0000 Revel 1646682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I haven't spent time on those boards PP but wanted you to know you're not alone. I'm almost a year out from delivery and I haven't gotten back to CF. It is tough with a little one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646554 Tue, 20 May 2014 10:43:10 +0000 Corduroy 1646554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also did modified Crossfit until my due date and used Crossfitmom.com workouts as a resource. </p> <p>They also have forums but when I didn't have a quick and easy birth and didn't find it easy to get back in the gym after maternity leave I felt like I didn't belong. Of course that's just my perception. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646506 Tue, 20 May 2014 10:33:04 +0000 charmed 1646506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the replies! It's nice to know other ladies were able (and wanted to!) to keep lifting :grin: </p> <p>@Revel: it's great to hear you were able to keep working out till 39 weeks, that gives me hope! I'll make sure to check out the cross fit mom forum too.</p> <p>@blackbird: thanks for the book recommendation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646409 Tue, 20 May 2014 10:10:18 +0000 blackbird 1646409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Soo.,...my dr told me no more than 45 lb. Which is insanely light/easy for me (i was doing CF while pregnant). </p> <p>I went off the "If it feels good, do it" rule. Dont' get too out of breath, lift what's comfortable. I had to drastically scale back around 6 months because I couldn't pick up bars easily and would hit my stomach</p> <p>If you're used to it, it's a whole different thing, ya know? I read Dr Clapp's "exercising through your pregnancy" as a good resource </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646327 Tue, 20 May 2014 09:53:36 +0000 Revel 1646327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I continued doing crossfit through pregnancy until 39 weeks, so it is totally doable! Given you have 5 years experience lifting heavy I would feel comfortable continuing in your shoes.</p> <p>I'may not a doctor of course, but for me, I slowed down my metcons and reduced reps steadily as needed. For lifting, I was still lifting in the 75% range up through about 20 weeks, then I think I started using lighter and lighter weights. My.coaches had me doing lots of 5 rep schemes at lighter weights.</p> <p>Mostly I just listened to how I felt, rested when I needed to. I think staying active helped me recover quickly from birth. </p> <p>Crossfitmom is a good website with info about lifting and somewhat active forums, might be useful to you even though you're not doing traditional crossfit.</p> <p>Happy and healthy 9 months in your pregnancy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646021 Tue, 20 May 2014 08:16:36 +0000 MrsKRB 1646021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really have any information for you, but I think that handout is a little outdated :) truthfully you can probably keep doing what you are doing until you don't feel comfortable anymore. Just listen to your body and use lighter weights if you feel you need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-strength-training-while-pregnant#post-1646014 Tue, 20 May 2014 08:14:15 +0000 charmed 1646014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone have any good books/resources about strength training while pregnant?</p> <p>I've been lifting heavy/working out consistently for the past 5 years or so and really want to keep up a routine as long as I can during this pregnancy. Not crossfit, but similar moves with 2-3 full body workouts/week. I've already scaled down a bit, but I'm still pressing 50+ and squatting/dl-ing 90+. I'm sure I'll need to scale down even more once I'm further along (5w5d today).</p> <p>I just got an information packet from my obgyn, and one of the first things on there is "no lifting over 20lbs repeatedly". I'll ask the doctor about it at my first appointment, but I'm worried she's going to tell me to stop with the heavy weights and switch over to 2lb dumbbells. :bummed: </p> <p>So I'd like to have some research/information to back me up, b/c I really want to keep lifting but I would also like my doctor's blessing. Any suggestions or advice? </p>