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High-intensity spin classes, 60kg weights and even BOXING: The mums who do gruelling gym sessions while pregnant just like Vogue Williams and Pippa Middleton
WORKING out while pregnant is the latest trend among mums-to-be, inspired by exercise-mad celebrities like Pippa Middleton and her new sister-in-law Vogue Williams.
Across the UK, ordinary mums are following their lead, exercising intensely and frequently.
And it’s becoming increasingly common to see heavily pregnant women at working out at gyms and in classes.
Instagram is flooded with images of mums-to-be lifting heavy weights and flaunting tiny, toned bumps.
While the NHS recommends staying active in pregnancy, it advises against anything "strenuous".
So, what is safe when it comes to high intensity workouts when you’re expecting?
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According to personal trainer Melinda Nicci, who specialises in pre and post-natal fitness, it is safe to exercise intensely when expecting - with one important caveat.
“Provided you were working out at that level before becoming pregnant, it’s fine to continue.
“It’s not safe to take up a new, intensive, form of exercise when you’re expecting because your body isn’t used to it,” says Melinda, founder of the app.
“Working out is so beneficial – it keeps muscles strong and supple for labour, keeps a woman’s cardiovascular system healthy, burns calories and helps prevent the aches and pains associated with carrying a bump."
Is there any risk of miscarriage?
Although a of 92,000 women in Denmark found that there was a tentative link between those exercising during pregnancy and higher rates of miscarriage, the NHS stresses that pregnant women are not going to put their babies at risk with gentle, low-impact exercise.
However expectant mums should look out for vaginal bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, dizziness, chest pain, and swelling during their work-outs.
To be safe consult your doctor before engaging in physical activity while pregnant.
Psychiatrist Dr Claudia Bernat, from hospital in North London, agrees women should stay active in pregnancy but she is concerned about what is motivating some mums to hit the gym quite so hard.
“When a woman becomes pregnant it’s essential she accepts her body will change and she will lose some control over it.
“A bump will grow, she will gain some weight, she will have less energy. If a woman is suffering from body image problems, she may struggle to accept these changes and try to push against them by over-exercising beyond what is safe.
“Failing to accept the loss of control can leave her prone to conditions like antenatal and postnatal depression,” says Dr Bernat.
Here, four pregnant women have their say on why they're continuing to work out…
Ore Oyeleke, 27 weeks
Pregnant with her first baby, Ore, 29, works in finance and lives in London with her husband Lawson, 30
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When I first announced my pregnancy, my family and friends assumed I’d be retiring my usual fitness regime.
They were stunned when I said I’d no plans to give up my high-intensity workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp, and my spin classes.
I had to reassure them it was safe for me to carry on, because my body is used to being pushed hard when I work out.
Twice a week after work I do a one-hour high-intensity floor and treadmill workout but since becoming pregnant I now stick solely to the floor aspect of the class that consists of weight-based training using dumbbells and bodyweight to do lunges, squats and burpees.
It’s full on, there are no rests, and by the end I’m out of breath and sweating. I love it.
I also do a 45-minute spinning class, and a weights session at my gym every week. I'm lifting less than I was pre pregnancy but am still able to squat 60kg and deadlift 50.
I used to get stared at in the gym but now everyone is used to seeing me with my bump so no one bats an eyelid anymore.
Pre-pregnancy I exercised to stay slim, and because I like being toned. Now I think exercise has stopped me gaining too much weight and I hope it means I will be able to get back in shape quickly once the baby arrives. It’s also my way of de-stressing.
Charlotte Wright, 25 weeks
The personal trainer, 30, lives in Manchester with her husband Simon, 38
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Exercise is a huge part of my life, there’s just no way I could cope without it for nine months. I’d be miserable.
In an average week I lead and take part in two body attack classes, two body pump classes where I use weights, and two body balance classes which combine tai chi, pilates and yoga.
I’ve made some tweaks like lying on a bench with an incline instead of flat on my back when I lift weights and if I feel I’m overheating I’ll take a break and stay hydrated.
As well as staying healthy, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to get back in shape after I give birth. I want to get back into my size 10 clothes and feel like me again once I become a mum.
Anna Samuels, 34 weeks
Pregnant with her second child, Anna, 32, is an accountant and the co-founder of online workout platform . She lives in Essex with her fireman husband Tyrone, 35 and their daughter Maya, three
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I’ve seen eyebrows raise when I tell people I’m still boxing, despite being heavily pregnant.
But I’m not jumping into a ring with an opponent, I shadow box at home using weights three times a week alongside strength training like push ups, jumping jacks and planks.
I also do yoga and aim to walk 5,000 steps a day.
During my first pregnancy I stopped all exercise apart from walking. Back then, I was much more nervous and cautious because it was my first baby and there didn’t seem to be as much awareness of what exercise was safe to do in pregnancy.
Since then I think that’s improved and I feel more confident about continuing my normal workouts as my bump has grown.
I’ve also found that at each stage of my pregnancy, exercise has helped me to physically cope - easing nausea, boosting my energy and helping with the aches caused by carrying a heavy bump.
Plus, the endorphins released when I work out help balance out the raging pregnancy hormones.
Natalie Mendlesohn, 25 weeks
A pilates instructor who lives in North London, Natalie, 33, is expecting her second child with her husband Ashley, 33. They have a son - Milo, two
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Childbirth is the greatest physical challenge most of us will ever take on so it would be crazy not to train for it.
I’d be lying if I said my post-baby body wasn’t a factor in staying fit. I want to get back to being a size 8 and know I won’t be starting from scratch when I return to the gym.
As well as teaching 12 hours of pilates classes a week, I also work out at the gym twice and week and doing a pilates session myself where I work on my core area and breathing to prepare for labour.
At the gym, I spend 15-20 mins doing cardio, using the treadmill and doing small jumps over a low step to get my heart rate up. Then I use cable pulls and 4kg dumb bells for another 25 mins, working on my back and arm muscles.
The only changes I’ve made to my routine are not lying on my back as it restricts blood flow when you're pregnant and I’ve stopped using Kettle Bells as they are too heavy.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times someone at the gym has told me to "be careful".
I know they mean well and are concerned but just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’ve lost all my co-ordination and balance.
I know women who have been totally inactive in pregnancy and gone on to need C-sections, they believe the two are linked.
Who knows, but I had a very straightforward labour with my son and I attribute that to working out while carrying him.
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If you missed our guide to working out while pregnant from earlier this week, you can find it here.
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