How hard should I work out while pregnant?
Quick answer: ACOG describes a "somewhat hard" effort where you can still talk normally but could not sing, rather than a fixed heart rate number.
What ACOG says
ACOG's patient FAQ: "Moderate intensity means you are moving enough to raise your heart rate and start sweating. You still can talk normally, but you cannot sing." It also notes: "If you were very active before pregnancy, you can keep doing the same workouts with your ob-gyn's approval."
Source: ACOG: Exercise During Pregnancy
Committee Opinion 804 states that "the use of ratings of perceived exertion may be a more effective means to monitor exercise intensity during pregnancy than heart-rate parameters. For moderate-intensity exercise, ratings of perceived exertion should be 13–14 (somewhat hard) on the Borg ratings of perceived exertion scale." On the talk test: "as long as a woman can carry on a conversation while exercising, she likely is not overexerting herself."
Source: ACOG Committee Opinion 804
Questions about your own pregnancy, birth or recovery belong with your doctor or primary healthcare provider.
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MOMDAY is not a healthcare provider. This article shares general information from public health sources such as ACOG and is educational only, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk with your doctor or primary healthcare provider about what is right for you, and never delay seeking care because of something you read here. If you think you have an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.