Biking and Pregnancy

Re: Biking and Pregnancy

• jglenn4 member

  October 2012

  I'm a big proponent of "keep doing what you were doing until it becomes uncomfortable".  When I became pregnant I do recall reading a few articles/sites that stated that if you are an experienced rider than you can continue riding your first tri.  When you enter your second trimester, however, your center of gravity shifts affecting your balance and thereby making it dangerous.  I say do it until your second tri and then find a good spin class.  I'm in my second tri and spin with no problem.
  

  

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• TX-Bride member

  October 2012

  jglenn4:

  I'm a big proponent of "keep doing what you were doing until it becomes uncomfortable".  When I became pregnant I do recall reading a few articles/sites that stated that if you are an experienced rider than you can continue riding your first tri.  When you enter your second trimester, however, your center of gravity shifts affecting your balance and thereby making it dangerous.  I say do it until your second tri and then find a good spin class.  I'm in my second tri and spin with no problem.
  

  This exactly, my doc told me not to do sports that have the risk of losing balance and falling down, such as road biking (spin class is fine) and ski/snow board.

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• jglenn4 member

  October 2012

  BM321...I also meant to add that limiting your heart rate to 140 is pretty outdated, although there are a few doctors who still use that as the max heart rate that a pregnant woman should not exceed (despite her physical fitness level).  The new rule that has been in place for some time is to use the talk test (can you comfortably carry on a conversation) when determining whether you are working too hard.  So I wouldn't let a HR monitor limit my workout as long as I feel good (unless it makes you feel more comfortable).  

  

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• BM321

  October 2012

  Thanks!  I'm going to ride tomorrow but take it easy when I need to...I think the HR monitor will just make me feel better about the ride. 

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• MTBmami

  October 2012

  Hi, I stumbled across this a little late, but maybe you are still checking. 

  I am a mountainbike guide, and I am 26w pregnant now. I dont guide customers anymore, but i still ride for fun. I dont bother with the heartrate restrictions because i feel like that is a little outdated as well. I do adhere in general to the talk test and just like to listen to my body more than anything. I have 1 week left in my 2nd trimester and i havent felt my balance affected at all. 3 weeks ago i was riding twisty singletrack in tahoe and had no problem whatsoever. my main concern is falling more due to rocks, roots (general mtb mishaps),etc . But i am taller at 5'11" so maybe my center of balance is still a bit even.  I would say continue biking, exercise will be your best friend during pregnancy. People have tried to tell me to stop biking, hiking, running etc. Your body will tell you exactly what to do. There were weeks where i didnt have the desire to bike due to the heat and i was tired, so i didnt. but when i feel like it,i go for it. I think it really is that easy.  just stay super hydrated and cool down and warm up well , and i like to take an equal amount of pure rest time to compensate for the exercise i did. i.e. hour bike ride = hour on the futon when i get home veggin out and cooling down. Enjoy your pregnancy!!! 

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• katsue0xo

  October 2012

  TX-Bride:

  jglenn4:

  I'm a big proponent of "keep doing what you were doing until it becomes uncomfortable".  When I became pregnant I do recall reading a few articles/sites that stated that if you are an experienced rider than you can continue riding your first tri.  When you enter your second trimester, however, your center of gravity shifts affecting your balance and thereby making it dangerous.  I say do it until your second tri and then find a good spin class.  I'm in my second tri and spin with no problem.
  

  This exactly, my doc told me not to do sports that have the risk of losing balance and falling down, such as road biking (spin class is fine) and ski/snow board.

  All of this. I am also a road biker- and I know how demanding long rides can be on the body. I would listen very carefully to how you feel. Your body is already working overtime- don't overdue it or push too hard.
  

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• katsue0xo

  October 2012

  MTBmami:

  Hi, I stumbled across this a little late, but maybe you are still checking. 

  I am a mountainbike guide, and I am 26w pregnant now. I dont guide customers anymore, but i still ride for fun. I dont bother with the heartrate restrictions because i feel like that is a little outdated as well. I do adhere in general to the talk test and just like to listen to my body more than anything. I have 1 week left in my 2nd trimester and i havent felt my balance affected at all. 3 weeks ago i was riding twisty singletrack in tahoe and had no problem whatsoever. my main concern is falling more due to rocks, roots (general mtb mishaps),etc . But i am taller at 5'11" so maybe my center of balance is still a bit even.  I would say continue biking, exercise will be your best friend during pregnancy. People have tried to tell me to stop biking, hiking, running etc. Your body will tell you exactly what to do. There were weeks where i didnt have the desire to bike due to the heat and i was tired, so i didnt. but when i feel like it,i go for it. I think it really is that easy.  just stay super hydrated and cool down and warm up well , and i like to take an equal amount of pure rest time to compensate for the exercise i did. i.e. hour bike ride = hour on the futon when i get home veggin out and cooling down. Enjoy your pregnancy!!! 

  Very wise about the talk test rather than heart rate monitor. Your breath tells you much better how high or low your heart rate is for YOU much better than any guidline- which is usually just an average of very fit people vs very unfit people.
  

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