Strong Bodies, Unclear Guidelines—Navigating Pregnancy and Postpartum Without Tailored Resistance Exercise Guidelines

Objective : This study explored the experiences of female athletes performing heavy resistance exercise during pregnancy and postpartum (REX group) and reflected these against experiences of physically active women not engaging in heavy resistance exercise (REF group). Design : Secondary outcomes from a prospective, longitudinal study following two exercising groups of pregnant women through pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results : Thirty-two women were included in the REX group and 17 were in the REF group. Of all participants, 35% reported receiving warnings against their usual training—most often from midwives. Although REX participants typically faced concerns related to heavy resistance exercise, REF participants also reported warnings, particularly about high-intensity exercise. Three key themes emerged from pregnancy responses: “training for two: joy, strength, and sanity through exercise”; “between warnings and worries: pregnant women’s struggle for reliable advice”; and “strength over strain: why resistance training works in pregnancy.” Two themes were identified postpartum: “new priorities, new physique” and “when experts fall silent.” Conclusion : Women training beyond standard health recommendations often encounter concerns from healthcare providers and others. Although the female athletes rely on personal experience, many express doubt and frustration due to the lack of tailored, evidence-based advice. Exercise, especially resistance exercise, was seen as vital for both mental and physical health, particularly when other forms of movement were limited by pregnancy or postpartum symptoms.