P regnancy: Heart Rate and Exercise

voro2018

Hi everyone! I'm 11 weeks pregnant and 32 years old. As of right now I have no medical complications (knock on wood). I enjoy exercising cardio and weight lifting. How high can I get my heart rate?

wildtot

Good question for your doctor! Most ladies can continue their regular exercise routine with a few modifications as long as there are no complications.

[Deleted User]

I think any firm HR guidelines you might see are a bit outdated, and you may want to go more by perceived exertion.  (Ex. 140 for a more sedentary person may feel plenty good enough, where a more fit person may actually need to get up closer to 150 - as a totally random example - to feel the same level of effort.)  Definitely don't push yourself past comfortable limits, be able to keep carrying on a conversation, stay über hydrated; now is not the time to be going for PRs and whatnot.  That can wait till after baby is here and you're feeling back to you're semi normal self again.  Even then, it's going to take time.

I listened to a great podcast on exercise during pregnancy, and unfortunately it seems a lot of doctors even are a bit behind the research on this subject.  They may even tell you certain exercises are off limits that are really fine.  But definitely avoid anything too high impact or with a potential fall or injury risk. (Ex. If you are a runner, easy jogging may be fine, but a basketball game where you are more likely to trip, have someone run into you, take a ball to the abdomen etc., not so much.  Ex. Certain group ex classes may be fine, like Zumba, yoga etc., but maybe not the step type ones where you might trip and fall - remember, your balance is going to start feeling off as your weight redistributes.)  Mostly common sense stuff like that.

As always, talk to your doctor about your particular situation because we are not doctors. ;)

galactickates

@BusinessWife would you mind sharing that podcast with me,  even if it's in a PM. I am wanting to stay active and pretty nervous about weight gain.  I also just love a good podcast, I'd love to listen to it. 

[Deleted User]

Sure thing!  @galactickates  It was on, "Healthy Births, Happy Babies," Episode 77, with guest Farel Hruska, Global Fitness Director for FIT4MOM. ;)