FITDAD

  • Course Details
  • Sign Up For FITDAD

What

Dads: I am throwing down the gauntlet! Are you ready to take up my offer of a super-energising outdoor cardiovascular and strength workout… with your babies safely strapped into their buggies? It’s a circular route in the great outdoors and along the way we stop off for CV and resistance circuits, interval training, pairs work, team games and body weight exercises. We use park benches, fences, outdoor workout mats (that’s grass, by the way!), medicine balls and even the occasional Kettlebell (a very long way-away from the babies). When your little ones get fed up, we simply move on. The classes last approximately 1 hour and you can retreat to the pub afterwards for a p- glass of sparkling mineral water…

And think of this: you’ll be giving your long-suffering partners a well-deserved break from motherhood! If you don’t watch out you might find yourself inadvertently signed up for FitDad and firmly pushed out of the house with baby in tow!

When

Courses start in January, April and September and run every other Sunday @ 10.15am during term time only for 5 weeks – you’ll be back just as the local pub opens, ready for you to have a drink and chat in the stylish, child-friendly bar area, which has ample space for buggies.

How Much

The course costs £29.00 and for this you get:

  • A sixth class for free... but beware this is a baby-free, early morning KettlebellFit bootcamp session
  • Five super-energising buggy workouts designed for MEN!
  • 1¼ hour long classes, giving you that all-important extra ¼ of an hour to allow for feeds, nappy disasters and cuddles with your little one, if need be!
  • A wide variety of routes covered over the 5 weeks, thus giving you the opportunity to discover beautiful new country walks in your area
  • A monthly newsletter with lots of information, tips and recipes
  • An optional organised evening out each term.

Testimonials

“FitDad is not only a superb idea, but really good fun. It’s a great way to get out in the country air and socialise, be with your child... oh, and get fit too! Jo is professional and keeps an eye on both the dads and kids alike. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious yet she is warm and understanding to those 'none too fit'. It is a really rewarding way to spend a Sunday morning.”

Rog

When booking FitDad you will be asked to fill in a confidential medical screening form so that I am aware of any medical restrictions (back trouble, joints, asthma etc.) that you might have, and so that I can safely progress the classes over time.

I do hope you like the sound of FitDad. If you do, please have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below, and then click on “Sign up for FitDad”. This will take you through a few simple steps for booking. If you still have any unanswered queries then please do feel free to contact me via email (info@zest4lifeuk.com), text (07899938032) or telephone (01590210269).

Pictures

3 Steps To Joining FitDad

  1. Go into Timetable and Availability and check that there are spaces available.
  2. Then please fill out and send either the Womens online registration form or the Mens online registration form
  3. We will then be in touch shortly with payment details.

That’s it! Once I have received the forms and payment, your place is booked. Dates, times and venue will be confirmed in an information sheet which I will then email to you. I would strongly advise you to print out the information sheet and keep it somewhere accessible as a reminder of all the bits and bobs you need when the course starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.When is the next FitDad class?
A. Go to Timetable and Availability
Q.Will my buggy be OK for FitDad?
A. There are a number of points that you must bear in mind: - you need a stable buggy that is unlikely to topple over - you must be able to strap your baby into the buggy - FitDad takes place on paths that are not asphalted and so bigger wheels mean a less bumpy ride for your baby. Nevertheless, lots of people manage with a Maclaren-style buggy.
Q.Can I wear my normal, everyday clothes to FitDad?
A. You are best off wearing sports clothes which allow freedom of movement. The routes we take can get quite muddy, so old trainers are ideal footwear.
Q. Can I do FitDad with a double buggy?
Yes, all the routes we do are wide enough to allow access for a double buggy. Expect to work extra hard!
Q. I have an older pre-school child. May I bring him/her along to FitDad?
A. It depends on the age of your older child and how willing s/he is to sit in a buggy for an hour. For safety reasons and insurance purposes all babies and toddlers must be strapped into buggies whilst we are on the move and exercising. I find that as children reach the age of about 22 months, they no longer want to stay in a buggy.
Strategies for older children: • make sure they have a good run around beforehand • prepare some healthy snacks that they can nibble on during the hour • give your child a special sticker at the end of each class for sitting nicely.
Q. Can I come to FitDad without my child?
A. Yes but the FitDad plan is to let your partner have a long, relaxing, baby-free bath whilst you sweat it out in the hills…
Q. What happens if my baby cries during FitDad?
A. This is a very easy-going class and we stop and start as necessary so that dads can comfort, cuddle and hug their babies. I usually find that when we are power walking and jogging the babies are happy. When we stop to do resistance work I plan short bouts of exercise so that the little ones don’t get too grumpy before we move on again.
NB If your baby is breastfeeding remember to get your partner to feed him/her just before you come along to FitDad.
Q. Can I walk my dog whilst we do FitDad?
A. No, I think it is best not to bring dogs along just in case they do something unexpected like jump up onto a buggy, run into a road or chase off after other dogs that are being walked in the area!
Q. I suffer from back pain. Is it alright to do FitDad?
A. If you suffer from back pain you should ensure that the handles of your buggy are at the correct height so that you do not have to stoop over. You should also keep your abdominals lightly braced all the time whilst pushing the pram. Finally, if you have noticed that pushing your buggy round on a daily basis makes matters worse, then I would strongly encourage you not to do this course but to seek advise on how to strengthen and support postural mucles through appropriate exercises.