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Expert Q&A

	By April Underwood Fitness Consultant Playa del Rey, California

I have been teaching an intermediate step class for 10 months, but now Iam five weeks pregnant. I teach every Monday and Wednesday for an hour. Iwarm up the class, do about 35 minutes for my step routine, and then cooldown along with push ups, tricep push ups and various crunches. I wouldlike to teach as long as possible. How long can I continue? I was thinkingthat near the end I could teach a muscle pump class instead. Anysuggestions?

With your doctor's approval, you can feel free to continue your exerciseclasses throughout your pregnancy for as long as you are comfortable withit. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have put forth someguidelines for exercise during pregnancy, which are posted on the PregnancyToday Web site. Within those guidelines, you can continue as long as youdon't have any unusual discomforts. Be aware that your joints are more laxduring pregnancy and therefore previously comfortable moves may becomeprecarious, so listen to your body and rest and modify when necessary.

In reality, it would be easier to teach a cardio step class in the latterpart of your pregnancy than a muscle pump. As your baby grows it will bemuch easier to do step combinations than it will to bend over and pick upweights. How long you teach is dependent upon how you feel, and yourdoctor's recomendations.

Good Luck!

April

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