Fitness
We’ve Been Thinking About Exercise During Pregnancy All Wrong
![We’ve Been Thinking About Exercise During Pregnancy All Wrong](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/getty/2024/7/2/02d518d2/unrecognizable-pregnant-woman-working.jpg?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop&crop=faces&fm=jpg)
During all three of my pregnancies, as my body grew and shifted in ways that made it feel foreign, I found comfort in movement. Walking helped me feel grounded. Pilates helped me feel connected to my changing form. Weight training helped me feel strong. But the physical benefits weren’t nearly as meaningful as the emotional ones. Between preeclampsia, a late-term loss, and placenta previa, my three pregnancies all felt like gauntlets, but focusing on what was in my control — putting one foot in front of the other on a walk, lifting a dumbbell — helped me to weather the anxiety.
Historically speaking, I know I’m lucky: Less than 40 years ago, women were unequivocally told to take it as easy as possible while pregnant. It was only in 1985 that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published its first guidelines for exercise during pregnancy. Today, the group encourages most low-risk pregnant people “to engage in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises before, during, and after pregnancy.”
Since then, research has revealed a host of benefits for exercising during pregnancy for both pregnant people and babies. “We now know a whole lot more about the safety and efficacy of being active,” says Rachel Tinius, Ph.D., an assistant professor of exercise science at Western Kentucky University, who researches the effects of physical activity during pregnancy — and ran the Boston Marathon while 12 weeks pregnant with her fourth child. “The research that we have shows overwhelmingly how much better moms do with delivery, with fetal outcomes, postpartum outcomes, mental health, blood pressure, [and] gestational diabetes” when they’re active, she says, all of which positively impacts the developing fetus, too.
For years, pregnant women were told by doctors not to let their heart rate go above 140 beats per minute, despite the fact that this advice wasn’t based on any evidence.
And yet, outdated fears persist around pregnant women and exertion, which may help to explain why, according to some estimates, only 40% of pregnant women exercise during pregnancy. Women who do work out while pregnant still receive unsolicited commentary from family or even strangers, questioning their safety and the safety of their unborn child. When I polled people on social media about their experiences with exercise during pregnancy, I heard stories of women who were warned by fellow gymgoers that doing squats with weights would make the baby “fall out” (nope), or that too much cardio would make their future child hyperactive (a hard no). Powerlifters were told by their doctors to switch to tiny 10-pound weights.
Kyle Georgina Marsh, a Pilates teacher and strength coach based in New York City, balked when her obstetrician advised her to scale back her physical activity simply because she was pregnant. When Marsh pushed back, her doctor told her, “You can keep doing these things, but if you end up injured or compromising your pregnancy, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” (Marsh switched doctors.)
While the last four decades have seen a major uptick in research exploring exercise during pregnancy, the scientific community is still playing catch-up for the complete void of data that existed until — well, very recently. Beyond simply filling the void, researchers are also working to replace earlier, misguided beliefs, recommendations, and fears with evidence-based information. For example, when ACOG released its first physical activity guidelines for pregnant women in 1985, the group cautioned that pregnant women should be sure their heart rate did not go above 140 beats per minute. For years, this advice was standard in doctors’ offices — despite the fact that, according to several researchers, it wasn’t based on any evidence.
In the absence of studies examining the effects of exercise on pregnancies, obstetricians simply came up with a number that seemed reasonable, says Tinius. “It was based on a bunch of smart doctors that sat down together and basically said, ‘Well, let’s protect ourselves and make sure that our patients are safe,’” she told me.
Evidence now suggests that, for many pregnant women, it is safe — and can be beneficial — to work out at a moderate-to-high intensity, particularly if they were active before pregnancy. And yet, several pregnant women I spoke with report being told — in 2024 — to keep their heart rate below 140, for no good reason. The same goes for lifting heavy objects. “We know so much more now,” says Tinius, but “it was just 30-something years ago the recommendations were completely different.”
The fact that the common wisdom about pregnancy exercise has changed so dramatically in roughly one generation means that a lot of the previous advice is still circulating, and many people are skeptical about defying it. “[Pregnancy] is a time that is just filled with stress and anxiety and worry,” says Tinius, and so “sometimes the emotional can outweigh logic.” The challenge is translating scientific advances “into actually getting people moving, and not being afraid to move.”
Evidence now suggests that, for many pregnant women, it is safe — and can be beneficial — to work out at a moderate-to-high intensity.
“We have an information dissemination crisis,” sayss Gráinne Donnelly, a pelvic floor physical therapist and editor of the Journal of Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy. In her research, she has found that many women receive no advice about physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum. “I think education and public health messaging has a huge importance, and we need to improve on it.”
On top of this, earlier guidance has also presented a challenge for researchers who want to study exercise during pregnancy. “I think the biggest limitation [to more research] is these limitations we have put onto the research area previously,” like keeping pregnant women’s heart rates below 140 beats per minute, says Margie Davenport, Ph.D., a professor of kinesiology at the University of Alberta who runs a lab dedicated to researching physical activity during and after pregnancy. “As soon as you have these limitations that really get into the social fabric of our lives, it’s really difficult to propose these studies, get them funded, and get them approved by the ethics board, because they’re seen as being really risky,” she says. “But in my opinion, the riskier thing is not doing the research.”
So what do we know? For starters, ACOG recommends that pregnant women get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, the same recommended dose of weekly exercises for non-pregnant people. While the latest guidelines don’t suggest a specific amount of strength training weekly, the group says strength conditioning is generally beneficial.
Researchers also agree that, for most women who are experiencing normal-risk pregnancies, staying active during pregnancy can be an “exceptionally powerful” tool for boosting health and well-being, says Davenport. Physical activity has the potential to ease back pain and constipation, strengthen your heart and blood vessels, and decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and cesarean birth. Some women also find that moving helps with nausea. Exercise during pregnancy can lead to a speedier recovery postpartum, too.
![](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/6/18/b99b45bd/exerciseduringpregnancy_insert2.jpg?w=262&h=335&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
And crucially, for many women — particularly those who exercised regularly before pregnancy — staying active can support their mental health, says Davenport. In 2021, she and her team reviewed population studies looking at the impact of exercise on anxiety and depression during pregnancy and found that women who stayed very active reduced their risk of both depression and anxiety by around 32%, compared to control groups. “We are just starting to scratch the surface” of understanding the potential of exercise for mental health during pregnancy, Davenport says — in part because the scientific community has only been studying pregnant people’s mental health for a little over a decade.
Exercise during pregnancy also benefits the fetus, says Dr. Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, M.D., a professor of maternal-fetal medicine at the University of California-San Diego, who co-authored ACOG’s most recent guidelines on exercise during pregnancy. This mutually beneficial relationship is especially clear when it comes to preterm delivery. “We know that stress is a pretty big cause of preterm birth,” she says, and “exercise in and of itself releases endorphins that mitigate stress.”
But even when physical activity doesn’t prevent complications or less-than-ideal outcomes, it can still benefit a pregnant person by simply helping them feel better, calmer, and stronger. This was the case for me. Despite staying active throughout my pregnancies, I developed multiple complications — and yet, I’m convinced that my movement habit helped me endure these ordeals far better than I could have if I’d been forced to sit still.
The gaps in knowledge that scientists are working to fill are particularly wide at the far ends of the exercise spectrum, says Davenport. That includes pregnant people who have medical conditions for which doctors advise against exercising, and elite athletes who want to continue to train at the highest level during pregnancy. “People who have contraindications to exercise — we actually know very little about it,” says Davenport. “Many of those contraindications are based on theoretical issues rather than actual evidence. But that [research] is certainly building.”
More than two dozen athletes have competed in the Olympics while pregnant, several of whom have medaled.
At the other end of the spectrum are athletes who regularly exceed current recommendations with high intensity, long duration, and high volumes of activity. That we know even less about, says Davenport. This dearth of knowledge can be especially challenging for elite athletes who want to continue to train or compete during pregnancy. “It creates a lot of anxiety, and oftentimes distress, because [we] don’t have evidence to demonstrate what the true limits are, or if it’s safe or not,” she says.
Dr. Megan Roche, M.D., Ph.D., an Olympic trail runner who researches and coaches pregnant athletes, agrees. “That’s still a big question in my mind,” she says. “If an athlete goes out and runs an all-out 5K, there’s just not enough evidence to be like, how does this support a developing fetus?”
While they wait for the research to catch up, many pregnant athletes forge ahead with competition, trusting their bodies. Serena Williams famously won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant, and elite runners now win races while pregnant. More than two dozen athletes have competed in the Olympics while pregnant, several of whom have medaled.
Both Davenport and Roche stressed the need for more high-quality studies — which, again, can be difficult to get approved, since they might require pregnant women to push their bodies to a limit that isn’t currently sanctioned by medical guidelines.
And yet, just because some pregnant people can push themselves physically while pregnant doesn’t mean everyone should. Since Jane Fonda released her groundbreaking pregnancy workout in the 1980s, fitness culture has come for pregnancy full-throttle. To be pregnant in 2024 is to be barraged with images and videos of women working out until the day they give birth, their abs somehow still visible over their bumps. As pregnant athletes have become more commonplace — crossing marathon finish lines, CrossFitting, teaching workout classes — some women now feel pressure to keep working out as if they weren’t pregnant at all. Exercise can feel like one more item on a never-ending list of pregnancy wellness to-dos. And women who need to temper their movement habits during pregnancy for legitimate health reasons now fear the potential repercussions of not moving.
![](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/6/18/4916367d/exerciseduringpregnancy_insert3.jpg?w=262&h=335&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Sometimes in the cultural enthusiasm for encouraging pregnant women to work out, the nuances of what it actually feels like to exercise while pregnant can get overlooked. The reality is that, during pregnancy, women’s bodies transform in both visible and invisible ways that can have a profound impact on their experience of exercise and movement. Understanding these changes can help to both reduce women’s anxiety around exercise and set realistic goals, experts say. Some of these changes involve the cardiovascular system. When pregnant, your resting heart rate tends to increase, and your heart rate may spike doing relatively gentle activities, such as walking up a hill. This is, in part, because your blood volume practically doubles during pregnancy, and your heart has to work harder to pump it through your body and to the developing fetus. “Pregnancy is like a stress test,” says Gyamfi-Bannerman. “And it’s essentially like being on a stress test for your entire nine months.” It’s taxing.
Fatigue and nausea can also weigh down even the most motivated exercisers. “The first trimester is so hard,” says Roche. “I’ve seen athletes struggle with momentum after the first trimester, even if things start feeling better into the second. Sometimes picking up and restarting exercise can be really hard.”
Then there are the hormonal changes, including a surge of the aptly-named hormone relaxin, which causes your joints and ligaments to become looser and less stable, particularly in the third trimester. These changes are beneficial for uterine growth and delivery, but they can make certain workouts more challenging. “With athletes that I’ve worked with, I’ve seen a lot of rolled ankles or sprained ankles, just from the ligament instability,” says Roche. “And then things like pelvic pain or hip pain.” For this and other reasons, back pain is very common, too.
As your pregnancy progresses, you may also feel out of breath if you lie flat on your back, since your growing uterus can press on one of the main arteries that supplies oxygen to your brain. You’ll want to avoid this position for long stretches. As your uterus grows, your center of gravity can change, too.
“Maintaining your balance is not going to be the same as it was before you were pregnant,” says Gyamfi-Bannerman. “So understanding that, and factoring that into what you do, is important.” (Many pregnant women also report feeling more comfortable when wearing a belly band or compression garment, such as support leggings or bike shorts, during physical activity.)
“You really cannot compare yourself to the person next to you or to the person three lanes over, because their story is very different from yours.”
More than anything, Roche says, during pregnancy, you’re best off listening to your body, and asking yourself: How does this feel? Does it feel reasonable? “It can be stressful to have heart rate data pop up during a run. Seeing that data at all times is actually kind of overwhelming. It’s like, what is my heart doing now?” she says. The guidance around exercise during pregnancy has “evolved to become … more intuitive with the body.”
If you were extremely active before pregnancy and you can maintain your workout without any negative side effects, you can probably keep doing what you’ve been doing, she says. But if you’re new to working out, “it’s really about easing into it and building into it slowly.”
The experts I spoke with also emphasized that a pregnancy exercise routine doesn’t have to look like a sweaty session at the gym. Walking, yoga, and even running errands are all beneficial. “We talk a lot about doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity,” says Davenport, “but what is often missed is that even well below those recommendations, there are significant benefits.” Any movement is better than no movement.
Experts also stressed that every body, and every pregnancy, is different. “You really cannot compare yourself to the person next to you or to the person three lanes over, because their story is very different from yours. And their body is very different from yours. And what they’re feeling is different from yours,” Tinius says. “Just having an appreciation for what the body is doing, and giving yourself grace in the process” can help you focus on what’s right for you, says Roche. “It’s not going to look the same for everyone.”
![](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/6/27/6cd784e6/exerciseduringpregnancy_insert4.jpg?w=375&h=271&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Danielle Friedman is an award-winning journalist who focuses on the intersection of health, sexuality, and culture. She is the author of Let’s Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World, and her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Cut, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, the Washington Post, NBC News, InStyle, The Daily Beast, Health, and more. She has previously written for Romper about how to reframe your relationship with exercise and whether teens should take Ozempic for weight loss.
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Fitness
Jessica Alba's workouts are tailored to her 'bad knees'
![Jessica Alba's workouts are tailored to her 'bad knees'](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_social_share_1200x630_center,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2024-07/jessica-alba-cz-240715-1adf62.jpg)
From “Dark Angel” to “Trigger Warning,” Jessica Alba has never shied away from fierce acting roles that challenge her to up the ante on her workout routine.
In fact, she credits one of her breakout roles with igniting her passion for fitness.
“I attribute my athletic body to the martial arts, gymnastics, dance, and strength training I did while filming ‘Dark Angel.’ That’s made me strong and really set the bar,” she previously told Shape, per PopSugar.
While promoting her role in “Mechanic: Resurrection” on TODAY in 2016, the star told Savannah Guthrie she’s dabbled in “a bunch of different disciplines in martial arts” over the years, including Krav Maga.
In her daily life, Alba’s workouts aren’t quite as intense, but they’re still pretty hardcore. As a result, the star has some practical advice for anyone who’s hoping to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.
“If you can just do it two or three times a week, a little bit of exercise whether it’s yoga or going for a walk or cycling class or something…go for it,” she previously told E! News.
Ready to learn from Alba’s passionate, yet practical approach to fitness? Here’s everything she’s said about her workout routine.
She knows working out ‘sucks’ but still gets herself to the gym
Working out gives you great endorphins but it can be miserable at times, and Alba is the first to admit it.
“I’m not going to lie. Working out sucks. Which is why I love taking classes, because I’m surrounded by other people and that keeps me motivated and accountable,” she told Shape in 2015, per PopSugar.
Alba described the process of working out as “agonizing” while chatting with Extra and said she could think of “anything else” she’d rather do than exercise.
“I’ve figured out now certain things that I like to do and it’s actually become kind of a stress reliever,” she said.
She loves ‘high intensity’ workouts
Alba’s workouts aren’t for the faint of heart. The star previously told Cosmopolitan she prefers to challenge herself and opt for “high energy” and “high intensity” sweat sessions.
“For me it really is about how I feel after I exercise so I’m motivated to do it. I do it for my mental state, to clear my head,” she said.
She’s a fan of hot yoga
Alba has expressed her love for hot yoga on multiple occasions.
“I like to do hot yoga and sculpt yoga,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 2016.
While sharing her morning routine with Self the same year, Alba revealed that she liked to check yoga off her to-do list early on in the day.
“A couple times a week, I wake up at 5:15 for hot yoga class. I need a really good alarm and a strong coffee,” she said.
In 2024, Alba’s personal trainer Ramona Braganza told Shape her client also enjoys Iyengar yoga, which focuses on holding poses longer.
“(She) finds it very beneficial for stretching her body out,” Braganza said.
She’s a cycling devotee
Alba has also been known to wake up bright and early to attend a Soul Cycle class or do an at-home cycling workout.
“I also do spin classes with my friends. I find that working out with my friends to really fun music is, in a way, a meditation,” she told the Los Angeles Times.
She prioritizes strength training
Alba wants to stay strong, but she’s not looking to be a bodybuilder, so she makes it a priority to find time for strength training with “moderate weight,” per Braganza.
“She prefers upper body more than legs,” she told Shape, adding the Alba enjoys weighted slam balls.
She loves to bust a move
Dancing isn’t only fun. It’s actually a great workout. Alba has showcased her killer moves on social media on many occasions and told Women’s Health she adores dance classes.
“That’s fun. Like hip hop class, mixed with like core Pilates-type exercises,” she said.
She does whatever she can to avoid feeling ‘bored’ at the gym
While chatting with E! News in June 2024, Alba admitted that she tends to get sick of her workouts rather quickly.
“I get bored,” she said. “So I do spinning and I do cross training with a mix of weights and cardio. I just try to keep it moving.”
She adjusts her workouts for her problem areas
There’s no one-size-fits-all workout, especially when you’re dealing with knee issues. Just ask Alba, who admitted that she adjusts some exercises to be kinder to her knees.
“30 min cardio -when you you only have 30 min to get it in💪🏽💦 -check out my stories to get my 30 min interval treadmill cardio. I have bad knees so the incline and treadmill is the only way I can,” she captioned an Instagram post in 2018.
Alba’s trainer told Shape, osteoporosis is a concern for the star and said they adjust their workouts together to account for that.
“We focus on overhead exercises using resistance, which helps increase bone density,” she said.
She eats healthy during the week and indulges on the weekend
Alba has a pretty balanced approach to eating that leaves room for healthy foods and splurges.
“Four days a week, I try to eat plant-based, and I don’t drink alcohol,” she told Women’s Health in 2020. “Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, all bets are off. That feels like moderation to me.”
She knows that diet and exercise go hand in hand
Even the best workout routine won’t do much in the long run if you don’t focus on eating healthy as well, so Alba tries to prioritize both diet and exercise.
“With exercise, I get a little more toned and I definitely feel stronger, but my diet is much more important if I’m trying to slim down,” she told Shape, per Us Weekly. “In that case, I usually don’t eat gluten, dairy, fried foods or processed foods. I try to stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs, and high in lean protein and vegetables.”
She felt more comfortable in her skin after becoming a mother
Everyone deals with body insecurities, including Alba. These days she’s comfortable in her own skin, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, she told Cosmo UK that becoming a mother helped her feel more confident.
“As a teenager — and even in my 20s — I always saw the negative and didn’t focus on the positive, and then I felt like being part of something so life-altering and profound like having a child just made me feel differently about it all. I also thought ‘how do I want my girls to feel about their bodies?’ I don’t want them to have certain hang-ups, so my attitude to myself shifted,” she said in 2015.
Alba also practices gratitude to remind herself how lucky she is that her body takes such good care of her.
“I love my shape because it does what I want it to,” she told Shape, per Us Weekly. “If I want to go on a hike or a bike ride or go for a swim, I know my body will do everything I tell it to. I also appreciate that I can push myself through when I’m feeling tired. There’s always a little extra something to get me past the tired moments.”
She doesn’t beat herself up when she misses a workout
As a mom and entrepreneur, Alba’s schedule is jam-packed at all times, so she doesn’t always find time to squeeze in a workout. And that’s OK with her.
“I always thought, ‘I need to sweat out my weight in water, I need to have muscle failure, I need to feel like I just ran a marathon—that’s how hard I needed to work out,” she previously told Women’s Health.
These days, Alba is kinder to herself when she doesn’t smash her fitness goals.
“I’ve learned to mix it up and not feel like a failure if I’m not, you know, killing myself,” she said.
Fitness
Full list of bizarre fitness fads revealed as Brits turn on traditional gyms
![Full list of bizarre fitness fads revealed as Brits turn on traditional gyms](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/000-adults-polled-one-10-917238186.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1920&h=1080&crop=1)
FOUR in 10 Brits have shunned traditional exercise methods – to get their fitness in weird and wonderful ways.
Of the 2,000 adults polled, one in 10 have taken part in trampoline fitness, where you combine cardio and strength exercises while bouncing up and down.
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While others have played football encased in a giant inflatable bubble or attempted stand up paddle boarding – with a dog.
And 12 per cent would be keen to give a hula-hoop-based fitness class a spin – literally.
It also emerged 51 per cent claim they get ‘bored’ of going to the gym or running and want their workouts to be more fun.
Foxy Bingo commissioned the research to launch its ‘Xtreme Line Dancing Studio’ in Birmingham on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July.
Sara Jolly, from the brand, said: “It’s clear people are looking for unusual ways to exercise beyond the gym – to shake up their routine and stay motivated by keeping things fun.”
Other odd exercises Brits have tried include bungee fitness, which involves being strung up from the ceiling by bungee ropes.
While one in 20 have attempted to use the urban landscape as part of their cardio workout, via a spot of Parkour.
The most common form of working out is cardio like running or cycling (32 per cent) followed by strength training (25 per cent).
And 26 per cent describe their exercise routine as either neutral, or downright unenjoyable.
But 36 per cent said music or some kind of entertainment makes exercise more enjoyable for them.
While 28 per cent get more out of it if they’re able to work out with friends, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
It also emerged 49 per cent only exercise for the health benefits, and not because they actually like doing it.
And two thirds are more likely to stick with a fitness routine if it’s fun and engaging.
The research also found most like to get their exercise out of the way in the morning (45 per cent), with just 19 per cent preferring an evening workout.
And 53 per cent like fitness classes that contain some dance elements.
Sara Jolly said: “The Studio will combine the fun of line dancing with the fitness benefits of a circuits session to help you feel energised for the weekend ahead.
“Our research found lots of people have actually tried a line dancing class already, but they won’t have done one like this.
“So we can’t wait to see how many people sign up and come along to the Xtreme Line Dancing Studio to get their cowboy or cowgirl boogie on – and burn off a few calories to some country and western tunes.”
TOP 20 ODD WORKOUTS BRITS HAVE TRIED
1. Line Dancing
A choreographed dance in which a group of people get into lines and dance along to a repeating sequence of steps
2. Hula Hooping
Using weighted hula hoops for a full-body workout
3. Trampoline Fitness
High-energy workouts on a trampoline, combining cardio and strength exercises
4. Parkour
An activity involving running, jumping, and climbing over urban obstacles
5. Fencing
A sport involving swordplay
6. Bubble football
Playing football while encased in a large inflatable bubble
7. Tough Mudder Training
Obstacle course race training involving mud, walls, and other challenges
8. Pole Fitness
Strength and flexibility workouts using a vertical pole
9. Zumba Sentao
A variation of Zumba using a chair for resistance and support
10. Paddleboard Yoga
Performing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, requiring balance and core strength
11. Cardio Drumming
High-energy drumming on exercise balls to the beat of music
12. Bungee Fitness
Combining cardio and strength training while being attached to bungee cords
13. AcroYoga
A combination of yoga and acrobatics performed with a partner
14. Kangoo Jumps
Cardio workouts using special rebound shoes with springs
15. Slacklining
Balancing and performing tricks on a narrow, flexible webbing suspended between two points
16. Roller Derby
A full-contact sport played on roller skates
17. Aerial Yoga
Yoga while suspended in the air
18. Stand up paddle-boarding
With a dog
19. Capoeira
A Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics, and music
20. Krav Maga
A self-defence system combining martial arts techniques
Fitness
10 Weights for Strength Training sessions at home
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List of 10 Weights for Strength Training sessions at home:
Read more about other Health & Fitness items on the Top Trending Products page. Check out the list of 10 weights for strength training sessions at home below.
1. Leeway Dumbbells Weights
This set of two 30 kg Leeway Dumbbells Weights has been constructed using high-quality steel and cast iron, making them last for a really long time. The rubber encasing allows them to be safely used at home and gym floor with less wear and tear. Since these weights are compact, you can easily use them in smaller spaces. Do not forget the specialized knurling that offers a better grip.
Features-
- Weight: 30 kg x 2
- Material: Cast iron
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 36L x 17W cm
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2. Leeway Hex Dumbbells Weights
Kickstart your fitness journey with Leeway Dumbbells Weights which are made from premium quality steel and cast iron. The low-odour rubber encasing makes these gym equipment durable and soft to hold while the hexagonal shape prevents them from rolling away. The best part about these weights is that are quite versatile and can be used during exercises.
Features-
- Weight: 17.5 kg x 2
- Material: Cast iron
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 36L x 17W cm
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3. Sportneer Dumbbells Set
Recommended by Amazon itself, the Sportneer Adjustable Dumbbell Set is the perfect addition to your home gym. The set allows you to choose from a combination of 0.9 kg, 1.1 kg, 1.4 kg, 1.6 kg, 1.8 kg, 2.0 kg, and 2.3 kg, based on your workout’s requirement. Adjusting the weight is quite easy wherein you are just required to slide the button and remove/add the dumbbell. Made from a combination of high-quality ABS and steel, these dumbbells offer a better grip and are comfortable to hold.
Features-
- Weight: 0.9-2.3kg each
- Material: Iron
- Colour: Carbon Black
- Dimensions: 28L x 25.5W cm
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4. SLOVIC Dumbbells Set
It’s time to introduce strength training to your workout routine and you can do so by getting your hands on the SLOVIC Dumbbells Set. The set consists of a pair of 5 kg dumbbells, made from solid cast iron material and a rubber coating which provides superior grip. The hexagonal shape prevents these dumbbells from rolling away and allows you to use them in multiple ways while working out.
Features-
- Weight: 5 kg x 2
- Material: Cast iron
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 31L x 25W cm
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5. amazon basics Dumbbells
If you are someone who has recently started working out or wants to intensify walking, jogging and other exercises, then this pair of 2.27 kg dumbbells is the right pick for you. They are constructed using premium quality alloy steel and have been coated with vinyl for a firm grip. Do not forget the hexagonal shape of these dumbbells which makes them multifunctional.
Features-
- Weight: 2.27 kg x 2
- Material: Alloy steel
- Colour: Light blue
- Dimensions: 18 x 8.1 x 8.1 cm
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6. amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells
Since strength training can be quite beneficial for the body in the long run, it’s high time you incorporate weight training into your workout routine. The amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells of 4.54 kg each are the perfect ones to start with; they are made from neoprene material and provide a superior grip on the handle. They feature a hexagonal shape which keeps them stable while you burn those calories. .
Features-
- Weight: 4.54 kg x 2
- Material: Neoprene
- Colour: Green
- Dimensions: 17.9 x 8.2 x 7.4 cm
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7. FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells
Ranked as number 1 best selling weights on Amazon, these FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells are made from finest quality alloy steel. The set includes 20 kg work plates and rods (3kg x 4 12kg + 2kg x 4 8kg) wherein you can use them in different types of workouts including push ups, pull ups, muscle toning, calorie burning and others. These dumbbell weights are quite easy to use due to its anti slip grip and easy to adjust mechanism.
Features-
- Weight: 20 kg
- Material: Alloy steel
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 14L x 8W cm
Buy FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells
8. Nivia Dumbbells for Hand Weights
The Nivia Vinyl Dumbbells are one of the best rated weights on Amazon which are perfectly suitable for light exercises including cardio, yoga, and aerobic exercises. This set of 2 kg dumbbells is constructed with the help of alloy steel, along with a vinyl coating which offers a firm and non-slip grip while working out. It also features a hexagonal shape which prevents them from rolling away.
Features-
- Weight: 1 kg x 2
- Material: Alloy steel
- Colour: Green
- Dimensions: 17L x 8W cm
Buy Nivia Dumbbells for Hand Weights
9. ARTINO Dumbbells Set
Its time to burn those extra kgs and strengthen up your muscles and bones by including strength training in your workout session. And for doing so, the ARTINO Dumbbells Set will surely come in handy. This pair of 3 kg dumbbells allow you to perform a wide range of workouts including muscle toning. Strength and resistance training. They are made from finest quality PVC material which adds to its long life, The best part about these gym weights is that it features a non-slipping texture, leading to a better grip wile burning those calories.
Features-
- Weight: 3 kg x 2
- Material: PVC
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 24L x 11W cm
Buy ARTINO Dumbbells Set
10. Lifelong Dumbbells
Your search for budget friendly gym weights ends as we present to you the Lifelong Dumbbells, making for a perfect home gym equipment to practise strength and resistance training. This pair of 2 kg dumbbells is made from best quality PVC material which are quite easy to hold due to the enhanced grip. From beginners to professionals, this pair is completely suitable for everyone due to its hexagonal shape and non-slip texture.
Features-
- Weight: 2 kg x 2
- Material: PVC
- Colour: Black
- Dimensions: 20.9L x 8.4W
Buy Lifelong Dumbbells
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FAQs about weights
1. Which are the best quality gym weights available in India?
Ans. Here is a list of best best-quality gym weights available in India:
- Leeway Dumbbells Weights
- Leeway Hex Dumbbells Weights
- Sportneer Dumbbells Set
- SLOVIC Dumbbells Set
- amazon basics Dumbbells
- amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells
- FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells
- Nivia Vinyl Dumbbells for Hand Weights
- ARTINO Dumbbells Set
- Lifelong Dumbbells
2. Can I lift weights every day?
Ans. You can definitely lift weights every day, however, you must make sure that you balance it out with other exercises. Follow up with optimum rest and a healthy diet.
3. What are weights used for?
Ans. Lifting weights while working out helps to strengthen muscles and bones, increase metabolism, and achieve a lean body
Disclaimer : The above content is non-editorial and produced by a third party advertiser. Times Internet Limited/ Economic Times does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of the content or its genuineness. The product prices mentioned in the article are subject to change including depending upon offers given by Amazon.
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