Gym & fitness in third trimester

I'm having your same thoughts. I've kept up with most of my gym classes (low intensity ones) but I'm starting to feel sore, especially around core muscles, and the advice is quite general. I'm think I need to slow down and switch to swimming/walking when I can. No point in feeling guilty about it, some exercise is better than none. Have you noticed if your baby moves less after exercise?

Hey lovely. I can totally relate as I was an avid gym babe before pregnancy - weightlifting, cardio, etc. 4-5 x a week. Well done on keeping up your normal routine for 32 weeks. My energy crashed much earlier in my pregnancy and I've barely made it to the gym. I focused on walks, steps at home on my walking pad, stretching instead. Please don't feel guilty. Your body is working incredibly hard to grow and keep baby safe and healthy. We all probably could do with giving ourselves a lot more grace and credit. 4k steps is still good. If there are days you can do more, go for it. If you can't that's absolutely fine. Don't push yourself too hard or beat yourself up when you can't. You're almost at the finish line and there will be time for exercise after. We're having babies in spring too so the good weather should hopefully motivate us to get out with our new babies 🥹 Sending love 🤍🤍

I’m now 33 weeks and I’m down to my last two gym sessions before my membership comes to an end. I was active before pregnancy (4 x strength and 1 x hybrid a week) and pushed it down to 2 x strength sessions and 1 x hybrid at 16 weeks. I’ve always been told to listen to my body and I’ve got to the stage where I’m now feeling aches in my hips and back, which I don’t want to strain further by going to the gym. I’ve switched focus and I’m concentrating more on walking and stretching. I attend a pregnancy yoga class weekly that helps, and I also have weights at home/resistance bands that I’ll use when I feel like I can move my body a bit more. Xx

This is exactly me! I’ve managed 3-5 gym classes a week consistently throughout pregnancy and lots of walking, but from 32 weeks I’ve been totally exhausted and feel like I’ve hit a wall (long naps during the day are needed) - I usually find it so easy to get up and go to the gym but I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus the last few days. I think it’s very normal - the baby is now in the stage of ‘fattening up’, so really is sucking all that energy from us! I think now is the time to listen to the body and slow down (even though that’s so hard mentally for me as I want to be out there exercising!).

This is me too. I used to run a lot before pregnancy - 3 to 4 times a week. I’ve managed to keep running until now, albeit a toned down jog and not as often (I’m 32 weeks at the moment). Although I think I’m going to have to stop because my hips can no longer take it. I feel bad about it but in reality we’re 7 months pregnant and shouldn’t feel bad for slowing down!! In my first pregnancy I only managed to run until 16 weeks and had to stop. As long as you’ve got a base fitness (which it sounds like you do) you’ll bounce back after birth. I was running again at 3 months pp with my first.

'The more the better' should never be your motto, especially not now. You have to listen to your body. It's important to stay active, but you have to adjust your workout to what you feel capable of. Sometimes the best for yourself and for your baby is to rest. There is nothing you should be feeling bad about. Working out is good for your health but so is taking breaks when you need them.

I'm a Zumba dance instructor and planned to teach my classes up until nearer due date but I am really struggling as I have a full time job too. Just don't have the energy for much after a full day at work now at 33 weeks. 😴

Thank you all for the kind messages and personal experiences, it really helps me put into perspective! I am going to try and work a bit harder with listening to my body and taking the rest when I need it now, even if that is extended days. Really appreciate the advice ladies ❤️

In my first pregnancy I was going to the gym right up until 38 weeks and getting good steps and cardio in. This time round with a one year old in tow I’ve been absolutely exhausted by the end of the day so I’ve just prioritised getting a long walk in every day. I feel lazy by my own standards but there’s nothing wrong with listening to your body and if you’re feeling tired going with that. Stretching is v good end of pregnancy too xx