Kickboxing while pregnant...

Tropicalbride09

So tonight I have my usual kickboxing class and I don't know if I should go or not!  I haven't had my first appointment/ultrasound yet and I'm pretty scared that I might overdo it.  My heart rate gets pretty high in class ( I don't know exactly how many bpm, but there are times when I'm completely out of breath.)

I missed last weeks class bc I got my BFP right beforehand and I feel bad missing this one too.  

What would you do? 

Oilers_Mama

I would not feel comfortable kickboxing at all while pregnant. I think it's dangerous to have fists and feet coming at you if you're holding the target up, and also in my kickboxing class we do a lot of skipping rope and pushups which would also make me feel uneasy.

You're still early on in your pregnancy, so if you only have a couple weeks worth of classes left and you've already paid for them, I would just go but let your instructor know and your partner if you have one.

rae_dylanzmom

I wouldn't stress about the workouts just yet. I loved working out throughout this pregnancy. As you get further along, your body will tell you to slow down.

A recommendation I got early along was to shift my objective from building to maintaining; and that was helpful for me. That way, your exercise isn't about stopping things, but modifying them to fit your needs.

I'm not familiar with the specifics of kickboxing; but for reference, I was able to maintain pushups (elevated) and most other exercises (altho highly modified) until ~37 weeks and double unders/jumping rope (and other jumping exercises, like box jumps) until ~24 weeks. (Sadly, I had to leave my regular workouts behind a couple of weeks ago.)

FWIW, if you're worried and anxious about it, listen to that and take it into account as you decide what's best for you.

Tropicalbride09

Thanks for all the advice!! The only reason I really don't think it's a good idea is because of all the conditioning we in the class on top of the actual kickboxing.  We do suicides, jump rope, ....a lot of jumping altogether actually lol....and I feel like since i'm so early in my pregnancy, all of that might not be the best for me. 

spacey281

This is a little late, but I do kickboxing a couple times a week.  We do lots of conditioning as well, and I just do what I can.  The instructor knows I'm pregnant, and I would NEVER hold targets for someone yet I love to punch and kick the heck out the trainer.  My stamina isn't as great as it has been in the past, but it's such an incredible stress relief I am not giving it up until I absolutely have to. 

 FWIW, there are tons of things you can do instead of jumping if you feel uncomfortable doing that.  Your instructor should be able to modify whatever exercises you feel uncomfortable doing.  You could even approach the instructor before class to get modifications on certain things you do each class.  Just an idea.  

fraglette

When I was in high school, my karate instructor took and taught classes up until a couple weeks before she gave birth.  Personally, I think she did it to make the rest of look bad that we weren't able to keep up with an 8 month pregnant woman.  Baby came out PERFECTLY. 

nicole153

I am a kickboxing instructor and during my first pregnancy I was worried about the intensity being too hard and I ended up having a m/c. Now, I am not saying that kb caused the miscarriage in any way but I am just not comfortable with all the jumping and plyometrics that we did and have stopped teaching KB this time around. That said, if you told your instructor you were pregnant and you can modify then I'd say go for it. Just watch the plyomeetrics like burpees and squat kicks. Your joints loosen up during pregnancy so it's probably not the best form of exercise as you get further in your pregnancy. I personally would find something else to do until you get to your first u/s and talk to the dr. There are so many great exercises and classes out there that are a little less impact than KB. Do what feels right to you. Try body sculpting or indoor cycling. Those are easier to modify and less impact on your joints.

surprise11

nicole153:

I am a kickboxing instructor and during my first pregnancy I was worried about the intensity being too hard and I ended up having a m/c. Now, I am not saying that kb caused the miscarriage in any way but I am just not comfortable with all the jumping and plyometrics that we did and have stopped teaching KB this time around. That said, if you told your instructor you were pregnant and you can modify then I'd say go for it. Just watch the plyomeetrics like burpees and squat kicks. Your joints loosen up during pregnancy so it's probably not the best form of exercise as you get further in your pregnancy. I personally would find something else to do until you get to your first u/s and talk to the dr. There are so many great exercises and classes out there that are a little less impact than KB. Do what feels right to you. Try body sculpting or indoor cycling. Those are easier to modify and less impact on your joints.

 Nicole, very informative response. I too instruct and I'm now at 21 wks. If you don't mind me asking, what wk did you m/c? I am very concerned about my intensity. My body feels great in class, just so curious how LO is taking the added stress.  

nicole153

 Surprise 11- Sorry for the late response- I hope you get this. I had an early m/c at 7 weeks, but the sac stopped growing at 5w5d.  I was working out when I felt blood so that is why I associate working out with the m/c thought I have done a lot of research and I know that chances are good the exercise didn't cause the m/c. If you are at 21 weeks you are probably safe to continue but just don't let yourself get out of breath. Just take the intensity down a notch. It's so hard because even during my warmups my heart rate can get into the 140's so it is very challenging. And as an instructor, you tend to use more energy speaking and setting a good example so it can get even harder. If your body feels great and your Dr. said you can workout, keep it up. Just don't go all out. Best of luck! You're halfway there.

hikerbeth

I taught Bodycombat until my due date.  But it's just a cardio martial-arts class. . . not actually kicking things/people.

dukestar5

I am interested in starting a kickboxing class at the gym.  About two years ago I attended some kickboxing classes, but I haven't gone lately.  I've gotten really into running and have run some half and full marathons in the last few years.  I'm thinking that I might not be able to run through the entire pregnancy and I thought joining a gym and adding some classes like kickboxing and aerobics might be a good idea.  Do you think the classes will be too intense?  TIA!