The Truth About Prenatal Strength Training

Today I am going to share the truth about prenatal strength training. What does that mean exactly? I am just going to give you my take on strength training during pregnancy and what you need to know if you’re on the fence about continuing your strength training while pregnant. 

The truth is that you will be told many different things by many different people and they all may say something different. My advice is to pick a few trusted sources you want to listen to when it comes to strength training- for example- a pelvic floor physiotherapist, a personal trainer/coach who has the credentials to be training pregnant women, and maybe your OB/midwife or a medical provider you trust. When it comes to strength training in pregnancy it all comes down to how YOU feel, trust your instincts and if something does not feel right move on from it. Your training can stay just about the same if that is what you want and you feel comfortable with it. What you may have heard in the past about weight restrictions and avoiding rotating or jumping etc are not true for everyone. I could break down each of these individual thoughts, but if you have your team in place that you trust, follow their guidance and continue the lifting, jumping, and rotating unless and until it is causing harm, discomfort, or it simply doesn’t feel right anymore. When you set out to commit to strength training in pregnancy, the first thing I recommend you do is sit down and think about your WHY:

Determining Your WHY; your goal, the thing that keeps you showing up to the gym or mat 3,4,5 times a week. Sit and and really think about that because before you became pregnant you were likely training to stay in shape, to lose weight or gain muscle, to prepare for a marathon or to hit 10 pull ups without a rest. That is no longer relevant (usually and temporarily) when you’re pregnant. You are not training to lose weight because it is no longer relevant nor healthy. You’re likely training for a healthy, safe, and smooth birth, to keep yourself and now your growing baby healthy, and to set yourself up for a smoother postpartum recovery. This is just an example- only you can determine your why and it is a great first place to start. 

Once you determine your why and align yourself with it, build your trusted team to help you facilitate that why and get started.

If you’re curious about where to start- send me an email at clairvangorp@fitsustain.com