Why pregnant Hongkongers should exercise, and which workouts are recommended

Pregnant women in Hong Kong are often told by mothers-in-law and even some doctors that exercise puts them and their baby in danger. Experts disagree, however, saying working out is beneficial to both mother and baby

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Hongkonger Cindy Cheung practises aerial silk while pregnant, an exercise she continued until the 36th week of her pregnancy.

Published: 7:45pm, 21 Jan 2018Updated: 7:32pm, 22 Jan 2018

Last year, tennis great Serena Williams won the Australian Open while she was in the early stages of pregnancy, news that made headlines worldwide. Many lauded the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion for putting fitness during pregnancy in a positive light.

Alysia Montano runs in the women’s 800-metre race at the 2017 USA Track & Field Championships. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP

Neither did it hold back track star Alysia Montaño, who, in the same year, competed in the 800-metre race at the US Track and Field Championships while five months pregnant, and raced in and actually won the same race in 2014 while eight months pregnant.

Plenty of expectant mothers continue to surf, judging from the stunning Instagram shots of Bethany Hamilton, the American pro surfer who lost her left arm in a 2003 shark attack, California native Caity Griffin, and others.

Despite strong evidence suggesting exercise can be advantageous for expectant mothers and their unborn babies, Hong Kong women find themselves told not to take part in such activities. Well- meaning mothers-in-law and even local doctors warn that strenuous workouts could harm the baby, induce early labour, or even trigger a miscarriage.

Karen Lee continued weightlifting when she was pregnant, adjusting her routines and lowering the weights she lifted.

Karen Lee decided to avoid the lectures by keeping quiet about her weightlifting, circuit training, TRX (a form of suspension weight training) and the other workouts she did until her third trimester.

“These stereotypes [are thrown at you], that when you’re pregnant, you should lie down, take it easy, and, in terms of exercise, only do yoga or swimming,” she recalls. The 32-year-old says such outdated beliefs persist in the Asian community.