How high do you let your heart rate get?

[amybajamy]

Hi, I'm about 10 weeks pregnant and I've heard that when you work out your heart rate shouldn't get above 140. Do you guys follow this religiously? I'm finding that it doesn't take much to get my heart rate to 140. I cut out Cathe's blasts that get me into the 160-170 range, but I still sometimes find myself at about 150 just with regular stepping. And by the way I don't use a step because my knee can't tolerate it. I'm especially concerned about lower body work because that regularly gets me to 150 or a little higher and that's just with my own body weight. What does everyone here do? Also do you know the reasoning behind the 140 bpm or lower and does it apply to early in the pregnancy?

I have asthma and I'm not in the best cardiovascular shape no matter what I do to try to change that (I've been working out with Cathe for about 2 years now), but still it seems like my heart rate goes up faster now. Has anyone else noticed this?

I'm seeing my doctor for the first time tomorrow and I will ask her these things, but I wanted to get some opinions from you guys too.

TIA for your help.

 

[autumn]

I am copying and pasting from this post http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...ic_id=13480&mesg_id=13480&listing_type=search.

I should also point out that ACOG has revised their guidelines in 1994 stating that is is now okay for a woman to get their heart rate above 140 while working out. They too recommend using a perceived exertion test to monitor your intensity level. I mention this to you since you will still find many people unaware of this change.


HTH!!

Autumn

 

[amybajamy]

Thank you so much Autumn! That post answered a lot of my questions. I'm relieved about the changes they made about the heart rate, because my hr would get to 150-152 and I would feel perfectly fine and I hate to back off if I'm feeling good.

It's crazy that they changed the guidelines clear back in 1994 and yet you still hear about the 140 cut off.

Thanks again,
Amy

 

[Marnie]

hi there, i just use the talk test (perceived rate of exertion) per my doctor's recommendation. i say a few sentences out loud to guage how high my heart rate is. if i can't get a sentence out without gasping for air, i lower the intensity of what i'm doing (running, kickbox, etc)