EPISODE · May 9, 2025 · 52 MIN
Strength Training Through Pregnancy: What NEW Research Really Says — with AMY MOOLYK
from Active Mom Podcast: Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond
Send us Fan Mail💥“Wait…you’re STILL lifting?” “Won’t you hurt the baby?”If you’ve ever picked up a barbell during pregnancy & felt the judgment—or second-guessed yourself thanks to outdated advice—you’re not alone.On this episode of the #ActiveMomPodcast, I’m joined by @amymoolyk—certified strength coach, clinical exercise physiologist, & former Canadian National Olympic weightlifter—who lifts the lid on what it REALLY looks like to train heavy during pregnancy & return to sport postpartum.Amy’s not just talking from experience—she’s also a grad student in the Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum Health at @ualberta & lead author on the 2025 @bjsm_bmj study:🔍 “Maternal & fetal responses to acute high-intensity resistance exercise during pregnancy.”This is the FIRST study to directly measure fetal AND maternal responses to heavy lifting (yep, including the Valsalva), & guess what? It found high-intensity resistance training is safe and well-tolerated by both mom AND baby. We cover:🔹 Competing at the national level navigating pregnancy🔹 What research actually says about lifting during pregnancy🔹 How to filter smart modifications from straight-up fear-mongering🔹 Climbing out of the anxiety spiral around exercise🔹 Why we all deserve better than “just walk and do kegels”🔹 How strength sports CAN be safe and empowering for pregnant/postpartum momsAmy also co-authored a 2025 BJSM "Impact of postpartum physical activity on cardiometabolic health, breastfeeding, injury & infant growth and development: a systematic review & meta-analysis"This episode is science + real talk + zero guilt. Whether you’re a coach, a curious mom, or a barbell-lover navigating pregnancy—this one’s for you.🎧 Hit play. Learn. Lift.💬 Ever felt judged or unsure about lifting while pregnant? Drop your story in the comments—we’re listening.#PregnancyStrength #PostpartumAthlete #StrongMomsLift #OlympicLiftingMoms #PrePostnatalTraining #PregnancyFitness #ActiveMomPodcast #EvidenceBasedPregnancy #PelvicHealthMatters #WomenInStrength #FitnessWithoutFear #paglianopregnancyTime Stamps1:00 Introduction3:55 how weightlifting changes in pregnancy7:12 systematic review on postpartum injury11:12 researching how how heavy lifting affects pregnancy22:50 choosing exercises for the study27:26 considerations during a training session36:33 advice for first time moms38:30 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH AMYIG: https://www.instagram.com/amymoolyk/IG: https://www.instagram.com/connectptex/Website: ksr.ualberta.ca/exerciseandpregnancy/Website: connectpt.caThe Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌
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Send us Fan Mail 💥“Wait…you’re STILL lifting?” “Won’t you hurt the baby?” If you’ve ever picked up a barbell during pregnancy & felt the judgment—or second-guessed yourself thanks to outdated advice—you’re not alone. On this episode of the #ActiveMomPodcast, I’m joined by @amymoolyk—certified strength coach, clinical exercise physiologist, & former Canadian National Olympic weightlifter—who lifts the lid on what it REALLY looks like to train heavy during pregnancy & return to sp...
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Strength Training Through Pregnancy: What NEW Research Really Says — with AMY MOOLYK
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