After months stuck at home due to the most recent lockdown, we’re pleased to have reopened our doors, and we’re so excited to welcome you all back. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to work out together, and we know many of you have gone through life-changing events since we last saw each other, like getting engaged or finding out you’re pregnant!
Pregnancy gym workouts are a little different to the usual way of working out, so read on to find out how to safely work out at our luxury Manchester-based gym during pregnancy and how we can support you during your pregnancy and beyond with one-to-one and group personal training.
So, you’re pregnant – congratulations!
Finding out you’re having a baby is one of the best and most exciting feelings in the world for many. If you’re a regular at FORM, you may be wondering how pregnancy gym workouts differ from the kind of workouts you’re used to doing. Or, maybe you’ve stumbled upon this post because you’ve decided that now you’re bringing another life into the world, you need to start looking after your body a bit more. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered.
Pregnancy gym workout – what do you need to know?
When working out during pregnancy or starting a one-to-one personal training programme, it’s important to do things a little differently from what you’re used to. If you’re new to the gym, it’s crucial that you consult your doctor or midwife before starting to be on the safe side!
Let’s take a look at some of the other things you should be doing to ensure you stay safe at the gym during your pregnancy:
Tell your personal trainer that you’re pregnant
As well as consulting with your doctor or midwife before starting at the gym, it’s also a good idea to let your personal trainer know that you’re expecting. We’re the experts when it comes to your fitness, and we can recommend the best pregnancy gym workouts that will keep you fit and enable you to develop your physical and mental strength during pregnancy without hurting yourself or the baby in the process.
Pace yourself
It’s hard work growing another human. Even the fittest women in the world can feel overcome by a lack of energy and enormous levels of fatigue, so it’s important that when you’re at the gym, you pace yourself. Take regular breaks during the workout and listen to your body – if you’re starting to feel like you’re pushing yourself too hard, it’s probably time to rest.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is super-important when working out at the gym, and it becomes even more crucial when you’re pregnant. Our body is made up of 60% water which helps to flush out toxins, improve digestion, and absorb nutrients. When we work out, we lose a lot of water through sweat, so making sure you replace this is essential for your health and your baby’s, too.
Make sure you warm up and cool down
Again, we would always recommend a good warm-up and cool-down to all of our clients, and this becomes even more essential when pregnant. A decent warm-up prepares your body for the workout to come, and by cooling down effectively, you’re less likely to suffer aches and pains the following day.
Avoid exercises that have you lying on your back
When pregnant, it’s important to avoid exercises that involve you lying on your back in the second and third trimester. There’s a large blood vessel behind your uterus that can be compressed due to the weight of the baby, resulting in low blood pressure and dizziness. The last thing we want is for you to faint at the gym, so stick to pregnancy gym workouts such as seated chest presses, seated leg curls, seated and standing dumbbell exercises and use machinery such as treadmills, bikes and rowing machines that keep your body upright.
Focus, drive and succeed with FORM
Here at FORM, our personal trainers are the absolute experts and can create a bespoke fitness programme that will keep you feeling strong, healthy and positive, whilst keeping your baby safe.
Pregnancy gym workouts are a great way to keep yourself healthy during your pregnancy, as long as you take the right precautions. Our expert personal trainers are fully trained to support you with this, whether you choose to take part in our Manchester yoga classes or prefer group PT sessions.
Find out more about joining our luxury gym and discover how our personal training services will keep you motivated to smash your goals and build on your physical and mental health during pregnancy and beyond.
