Spring into Shape with Baby

The Beez Kneez Fitness and Nutrition Consultancy has launched their Fit Mum and Baby Workout to help new mums get bikini-fit for summer, with help from their babies.
 
What separates these classes from regular fitness classes is that the baby is incorporated into the workout, no matter what the level of mum’s fitness. So mums get toned up, bond with the baby and eliminate the need for childcare all at the same time. Nobody minds if your baby cries, or if you have to stop exercising for a nappy change!
 
‘Fit Mum and Baby’ classes launch in West London with plans to go nationwide by the end of 2008. The classes are 45 minutes with a 10 minute optional post- pregnancy fitness and nutrition question-and-answer session with the specialist post natal instructor. The classes are ‘pay as you go’ so there is no need to pay gym membership fees.
 
Each class consists of strength, balance and cardio-vascular exercises to target all muscles, taking into account the special needs of women who have recently given birth or who have had caesareans.
 
The exercises aim to improve mums’ energy levels, stamina and stomach tone and include:
* Interactive floor work of stomach and upper body exercises, whilst holding the baby – an exercise your baby will love!
* An aerobic circuit with the baby to improve mum’s cardio-vascular fitness
* Standing exercises such as squats and lunges to shape the legs, with the baby in a front sling or back carrier.
* A warm-down and stretch
 
The instructor provides adaptations for mums who have particular weaknesses such as knees or bad backs or if they have been up all night with a teething baby.  Exercises are also adjusted to meet varying levels of fitness.
 
As well as helping new mums spring back into their pre-pregnancy shape the classes help stop isolation and gives mum a special type of bonding with her baby. It also helps establish a lifetime pattern that young children will follow as mum becomes a fit role model to her family.
 
Beez Kneez Director Vicky Warr says: “Only a fifth of women in the UK are doing enough exercise to be healthy and although Government guidelines recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week, many mums find that extremely difficult when they are looking after a baby 24/7.  
 
“Childcare is often an issue - getting a place in a crèche at a local gym is often not available to young babies and mums may feel guilty about leaving their babies to do something for themselves. With the spring and then summer coming up, our classes provide a realistic, fun, cost-effective and childcare solution for mums to get bikini-fit fast for the summer.”    
 
As a bonus Mums receive nutritional plans to complement their classes and online fitness training if they want to practice the exercise programmes at home.
 
Classes are held on Thursdays at 11.00am at Ealing Dance Studio, 96/98 Pitshanger Lane, W5 and cost £12 for mum and baby. Savings can be made on purchasing a course of 10 sessions at £100. See the Beez Kneez Body Guide listing.