For those that workout more intensly

mooncusp22 · January 2016

Are you monitoring your heartrate? What are you doing to know you are hitting your limits? I teach fitness- it's so hard when I am getting into a class and then think to myself (am I working TOO hard?). Last night I was teaching a Spin class and my HR hits around high 70's and can get into the high 180's (when I don't pay attention and get int that zone then think to back off). I feel if my members don't see me really pushing it that they won't either. And of course I haven't announced my pregnancy yet, I think when I do that will make it a bit easier so they understand "Do what I say, not what I do".

I taught while pregnant with DD1 but not half as intense as a schedule as I currently have. Having a hard time and then drive home worrying "OMG, did I push too hard?"

texasmama2014 · January 2016

Well, I'd say if you think it's too hard it's probably too hard. Depending on your level of exertion 180's might be too high, or it could be normal. I guess I don't have a real answer, but a doc would likely tell you 150's-160's.

jmknox · January 2016

I'm trying to keep my hr in the 150's and not higher. My personal preference. I'm about to start Beach Body's prenatal workout series - although I have been so nauseated and tired I haven't worked out as much lately as I would have liked to

DDRRT1982 · January 2016

I really don't think there is really a hard and fast rule about what heart rate is acceptable for pregnant women. Personally, I am trying to listen to my body. When I don't feel well and I workout my heart rate seems to be higher. I naturally back off my intensity. Since working out is part of you job I would focus a lot on how you feel. I would take breaks when necessary and maybe talk classes through versus attempting to match their intensity. Good luck!

blond1230 · January 2016

My doc says to keep it in the 140s so I aim for the higher end of that but don't freak out if it briefly creeps up. I typically run and take spin classes and have had to eliminate the running and cut back on the intensity of spinning. I'm extra nervous because we had two losses. With my son I continued spinning til 37 weeks, and my heart rate definitely crept higher but I felt good.
I do believe everyone's tolerance and bodies are different and they also say to continue what you were doing before pregnancy but it's always good to talk it thru directly with your doc!

ashleenevares · January 2016

OMG I'm in the same boat, I teach fitness classes too and I have yet to tell my classes. I know my energy has been so much lower so I feel like my classes don't push themselves as hard when I'm a bit less. My dr didn't even give me a HR range, she just said, keep doing what you were doing pre pregnancy and listen to your body. Which I have been. I know in a few weeks though when I announce to my classes they will totally understand! I'm hoping I can teach through my pregnancy but I've definitely been feeling blah lately. So I think just continue based on how you feel and just use the HR as a general area to stay around but not freak out if you go a bit over

mooncusp22 · January 2016

Thanks all... I feel fine (I am sure that will change later in the pregnancy and get bigger). Some classes I can coach through more, but some I need to do it with them 100%. I am used to working out at a higher intensity to begin with so I don't feel like I am pushing any harder then pre-pregnancy. When my HR is around 140/150, I honestly feel completely fine and like I am not working that hard. I have my 1st dr apt at the end of this week so I guess I will see what they recommend.

lalalorelai · January 2016

I don't think obsessing about the numbers will be helpful- it's more about listening to your body. Even with your heartrate that high, how do you feel? Are you wiped out for hours after you teach a class or do you recover quickly? I'm not a fitness instructor but I do CrossFit and run. There was one CrossFit workout where I knew I pushed myself too hard. I got lightheaded and felt weak and didn't recover fully for a few hours. I told my coach after that, so he can help reel me back.

But the rule my doctor told me was that, for the first trimester at least, anything you did before you were pregnant is fine to continue. If your body is used to working out to a heartrate that high, then I think you're fine as long as you still feel good. And I think I read somewhere that your heartrate increases more easily during pregnancy, but I'm not sure about that.

saam0815 · January 2016

I have read a lot that says to just go by how you feel. If you feel super exerted and like you are struggling to continue that is probably not the best. I think it's called "perceived level of exertion". If that's something you are used to then I'm sure it's just fine!

Sekerambo · January 2016

I am also a spin instructor and my class expects me to work hard with them. It's not uncommon for my hr to be at 170+ while instructing. Everything I've read says not to worry about heart rate if you have been working out prior to pregnancy. The ob I had with my dd was a little old school and said not to go over 140. Although I didn't listen, it's hard to get it out of my head when I'm at 170. I am seeing a new ob this time so I will double check when I see them.

TheMorrighan · January 2016

I am a heavy lifter personally, and my midwife told me to go easier than I would typically on the weights. She also told me that I should still be able to hold a conversation, so if I'm exerting myself enough that talking is difficult I need to back off.

Bethyboo26 · January 2016

I don't go by HR. My body is used to working out at a high HR and intensely, so I just go by how my body feels.

That being said, it does get harder as pregnancy continues so just take it day by day and week by week. Your body knows when it needs a break

cher8024 · January 2016

I am in the same boat, I did one workout for that series last week due to my extreme nausea and fatigue. How do I manage to get a workout in if I can't stand up?

amccul20 · January 2016

I worked out my entire first pregnancy and never wore a hr monitor or checked myself and baby and I were both fine.

just listen to your body. if you don't feel like you're exerting more now than you were pre pregnancy then it's most likely not an issue. the hr rule is kind of a dated one.

ThursdayMorning · January 2016

Bumping this up again.

How are the workouts going? I was weightlifting prior to getting pregnant then ended up taking a few months off. I'm now back at it and taking it slow but really enjoying the workout. Mostly squats, bench presses, lunges, planking, etc. anything I should keep in mind? I feel fine when I'm working out and haven't had any weird pain or anything.

DDRRT1982 · January 2016

High five to all of you still working out intensely. It is taking every ounce of me to make it the gym. I cannot wait for second tri.

Mrsrundell · January 2016

@cher8024 I just do a yoga video when I'm feeling too sick/tired to workout normally and it really helps stretch and relax me. I also try to go for long walks/jogs with my pup and the fresh air helps a lot too.

tmk0325 · January 2016

Once I hit 8 weeks I felt a thousand times better. I have been actively doing PIYo. It's pretty low resistance (no weights) and I find that's working well. I still feel like I'm doing something!

mooncusp22 · January 2016

Still teaching 18 classes a week here! I've felt great so far & have had no issues with the exercise. I decided to not wear my HR watch so I don't obsess over it and go by how I feel. When I feel I am hitting a level that is pushing it, I take it down a notch. Spoke with my Dr last week about my schedule and she said just don't take anything MORE on but if I am feeling good to continue what I am doing until I get to that point where it is getting tougher.

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