FIT MUM

  • Course Details
  • Sign Up For FitMum

What

If your baby is over 6 months old, you have already been exercising and you are ready for the next challenge, then FitMum is for you! This 10 week course consists of outdoor power walking in idyllic surroundings for mums with babies in pushchairs, and includes circuit training, interval training, pairs work and team games. We complete a circular route in beautiful countryside just a couple of miles south of Loughborough, with babies in their buggies. Along the way we have various stops for resistance and cardiovascular exercises using park benches, trees, fences and resistance bands, thus working both upper and lower body – lots of fun that will get you fit!

The classes last approximately 1¼ hours.

When

Courses start in January, April and September and run during term time only for 10 weeks on Mondays @ 9.45am: this enables me to progress the exercises over the period (yes, that means work you harder!) and it also ensures that I am aware of any medical restrictions (back trouble, joints, post natal complications etc.) that people might have on the course, as everyone fills in a confidential medical screening form beforehand.

FitMum introduces mothers safely back into higher impact exercise which is why your baby must be at least 6 months old and you should not be suffering from symptoms related to a weak pelvic floor: stress and urge incontinence. Classes are limited to a maximum of 15 mums so that I can make sure that everyone gets sufficient help and feedback.

How Much

The course costs £61.00 and for this you get:

  • An eleventh class for free.
  • 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 complimentary natural cotton shopping bag filled with information about, and special offers from, lots of interesting products and services.
  • A wide variety of routes covered over the 11 weeks, thus giving you the opportunity to discover beautiful new country walks in your area.
  • Bite-sized chunks of twice-weekly “homework” to do between classes.
  • The possibility of catching up on missed classes by coming along to classes on other days of the week (space permitting).

Testimonial

I really enjoyed getting outdoors and this course gave me a great reason to get out and get some exercise every week!

Sarah, Medical Doctor

Pictures

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

3 Steps To Joining FitMum

  1. Go into Timetable and Availability and check that there are spaces available.
  2. Then please fill out and send the 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 does the next FitMum course start?
A. Go to Timetable and Availability
Q. Will my buggy be OK for this course?
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 - FitMum takes place on paths that are not asphalted and so bigger wheels mean a less bumpy ride for your baby. Nevertheless, lots of mums manage with a Maclaren-style buggy.
Prams which are like cots on wheels are good but please make sure that you attach a harness to the D-rings under the mattress, so that you can safely strap your baby in. You should also consider the shape and height of the handle. Make sure that you do not have to stoop to reach the handles. Rounded handles are more comfortable and encourage wrist alignment. Handles which are squared-off tend to force the wrist into the wrong position, thus placing pressure on an already vulnerable part of the body.
Q. How soon after pregnancy can I start FitMum?
A. To safely take part in FitMum your baby must be at least 6 months old as it is not advisable to introduce higher-impact exercise prior to this.
Q. Since giving birth I suffer from a weak pelvic floor. Can I take part in FitMum?
A weak pelvic floor is a very common problem after pregnancy – please don’t feel embarrassed about it and please don’t just ignore the problem and hope that it will go away. Do feel free to give me a call (01509 210269) or send me an email (info@zest4lifeuk.com) for further advice on this matter. Alternatively, it is really worth contacting your GP to discuss what can be done. I would strongly advise you to come along to BuggyBabies instead: you will still get a really good workout.
Q. Can I wear my normal, everyday clothes to FitMum?
A. You are best off wearing sports clothes which allow freedom of movement and it is important to have a bra that provides excellent support, especially if you are breastfeeding. The routes we take can get quite muddy, so old trainers are ideal footwear.
Q. Can I do FitMum with a double buggy?
A. 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 FitMum?
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 • I will give your child a special sticker chart at the beginning of the 10 week course and at the end of each class your daughter/son will receive a special sticker for sitting nicely.
Q. Can I come to FitMum without my child?
A. Yes, that’s absolutely fine, and you can also choose to bring your child some weeks but not others.
Q. What happens if my baby cries during FitMum?
A. This is a very easy-going class and we stop and start as necessary so that mums can feed, 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.
Q. Can I walk my dog whilst we do FitMum?
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 FitMum?
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 town makes matters worse, then I would strongly encourage you not to do this course but to try BounceBack+ which focuses specifically on back and abdominal care, as well as on posture.
Q. Your current course is already running. May I join part-way through?
A. It depends on a number of factors, such as whether my course is full, what sort of physical activity you have been doing since giving birth, and whether or not you have been suffering from a weak pelvic floor during the post natal period. The best thing is to contact me directly if you would like to try and join a course part-way through: info@zest4lifeuk.com or Tel: 01509 210269.
Q. What happens when the weather is bad?
A. If it is drizzling, FitMum goes ahead. Only if conditions are really horrible (driving rain) or dangerous (icy conditions or high winds) is the class cancelled via text message. But don't worry, an extra class will be added onto the end of the course to make up for the cancelled one.
Q. Is FitMum going to be too hard for me?
A. The course is designed to get progressively harder over the 10 week period, so I will break you in! The terrain is hilly, your heart rate will increase, and you will certainly feel as if you have worked out… but that's what you want, isn't it?! This is an invigorating course that will kick-start your metabolism and get you burning lots of calories.
Q. What should I bring to class?
A. Make sure you've got your outdoor training gear and outdoor trainers with you. Remember to dress both yourself and your baby according to the time of year. Bring a bottle of water for yourself and don't forget all that baby "stuff".
Q. Is there an upper age limit for babies?
A. No, there isn't. Every baby is different and some babies are happy to sit in a buggy for over an hour even though they are walkers. I have had 2½ year olds happily take part in FitMum.
Q. My baby is below 6 months but I cannot come to BuggyBabies on a Wednesday. Would I be able to FitMum instead?
A. Yes you can join FitMum I never run a "one-size-fits-all" class. I take into account people's fitness levels, medical constraints, postural problems etc. and, therefore, everyone works at a level that is challenging but manageable. In short, I will work you at a more gentle level than those with older babies. I will also keep everything low impact for you so that your workout is safe for the post-pregnancy stage you are in.
Q. I have got painful wrists. Is FitMum suitable?
A. A Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common complaint related to pregnancy and beyond. You'll have to have a test run before signing up to the course. Spend an hour walking around country lanes and off-road paths and see how your wrists feel. Sometimes the wrist pain is too severe, in which case, you would be best not doing the course. BackPackBabies is a suitable alternative for those with wrist pain.
Q. What happens if I miss a class?
A. If you miss a class you are very welcome to come along to any other suitable class on another day (numbers permitting) so as to catch up. Just let me know that you are coming!