BACKPACK BABIES

  • Course Details
  • Sign Up For BackPackBabies

Second Monday of the month @ 12.45pm

What

These once-monthly, 2 hour fitness walking sessions are for small groups of mums and dads with babies or toddlers in backpacks carriers. Each circular walk is different, is carefully planned and takes you through varied, interesting landscape. Having your babies and toddlers in backpacks or front carriers gives you the freedom to explore places where pushchairs cannot go. Power walking techniques are taught and used during these sessions and drills such as walking hill sprints are incorporated into the two hours.

Included in these walks is a half hour pit stop with complimentary tea and coffee for the parents, age-appropriate toys for the babies and a natural-related activity for the older children. Set in a variety of beautiful locations, these sessions are a wonderful way to get back into exercise, meet and socialise with other like-minded parents, and feel the energising benefits of the great outdoors.

When

Backpackbabies takes place on the second Monday of the month @ 12.45pm.

How Much

BackpackBabies can either be booked as a single session for £7.50 or you can book four trips at a cost of £26 and these can be used as you choose within a 6 month period – I know that with little ones it’s not always easy to commit to doing activities on a regular basis. What you get:

  • The opportunity to discover all sorts of beautiful country walks in the area, in a safe, group situation.
  • A sociable pit stop giving you the time to chat with other mothers over a cuppa, and the little ones time to play.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and homemade (of course!) biscuit.
  • A range of toys and baby books available during the coffee break so that your baby can let off some steam and have fun.

Testimonial

This takes exercise out of the studio and into the fresh air, be it sun, rain or snow! It offers an easy solution to childcare difficulties for those desperate to wriggle back into those pre-pregnancy jeans. I enjoyed the opportunity to chat to other mums

Rebecca, Educational Psychologist and Mother of three

Pictures

I do hope you like the sound of BackpackBabies. If you do, please have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below, and then click on “Sign up for BackpackBabies”. This will take you through a few simple steps for booking. If at the end of all that you still have any unanswered queries then please do feel free to contact me via email (Joanna@zest4lifeuk.com), text (07899938032) or telephone (01509 210269).

6 Steps To Joining BackPackBabies

  1. Go into Latest & Blog and check that there are spaces available on the BackPackBabies courses.
  2. Download and Print out the medical screening and informed consent forms.
  3. Fill in these forms clearly and make sure that you have remembered to sign them where required. Please do not leave out the sections asking for mobile ‘phone number and email address as I will be sending you an information sheet via email and text messages are used if trips need to be rescheduled due to poor weather.
  4. A cheque for £7.50 (1 trip) or £26.00 (4 trips) made payable to Zest4lifeUK should be written – thank you!
  5. Please post the two forms along with the cheque to the following address:
    • The Studio
    • 5 Burnaston Way
    • Loughborough
    • Leics LE11 2HZ
  6. Once steps 1-5 have been completed, please send me an email with the words “BackPackBabies application sent” in the subject box.

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 BackpackBabies trip?
A. If you go into the Latest & Blog section of the website you will find up-to-date information on dates and times of these trips, as well as all sorts of other tips, advice, news, recent testimonials and free taster sessions.
Q. How soon after pregnancy can I start BackpackBabies?
A. It all depends on what sort of pregnancy and birth you have had but the key rule for everyone is that you must have already had a satisfactory 6 week post natal check up with your GP. - following a pregnancy free of complications and a normal, vaginal delivery you may safely join BackpackBabies after your 6 week check up - if you have had a caesarean section you should wait a minimum of 8 weeks.
Q. Can I wear my normal, everyday clothes to BackpackBabies?
A. You are best off wearing loose clothing, such as a tracksuit or gym wear, which allows freedom of movement. Bearing in mind that we will be power walking, it is worth wearing a bra that provides good support, especially if you are breastfeeding. Trainers or walking boots are recommended.
Q. I have an older pre-school child. May I bring him/her along to BackpackBabies?
A. These are fast-paced fitness walking sessions and so toddlers need to be in backpack carriers rather than toddling along! That’s why we have a half hour pit stop, so that they can have a good run around, a play, and burn off all that excess energy. It also helps to bring along healthy snacks for older children, so as to keep them occupied!
Q. What happens if my baby cries during BackpackBabies?
A. This is a very easy-going walk and if you need to stop for feeding, comforting etc. then that’s what we’ll do!
Q. I suffer from back pain. Is it alright to do BackpackBabies?
A. You’ll need to test out your backpack carrier before coming along to a session: try it out round town or have a long walk over the weekend to see how it affects your back. When using a front- or backpack carrier, it is important to focus on maintaining excellent posture and keeping the abdominals lightly braced – these tips will help with back pain. If after a test run your back feels painful, I would strongly advise you not to do BackpackBabies but to try BounceBack instead, as this course focuses specifically on improving posture, on back care and on abdominal strength.
Q. I am pregnant. May I book onto BackpackBabies before giving birth?
A. Lots of mums book onto my courses during their pregnancy. It is, however, on the understanding that you must have had your 6 week check up before coming along to your first session.