What are the best ways to gain some postpartum fitness?
In short? NOBODY KNOWS! Postpartum fitness is something that even experienced gym bugs may struggle with. Whether you are a first time mum or you’ve just added to a bumper brood, there is probably something out there for you… if you can find it!
Zen Fitness (Yoga)
I was looking to regain my pre-pregnancy fitness and practice a little self care, so I tried some things out. There are some targeted mum and baby sessions which I found particularly helpful. At only a couple of months postpartum, myself and the other mums from our NCT group signed up to a class based locally to us in Hythe, Kent.
Having always loved yoga I was really excited to give this class a go. I had a great time but I did not expect it to be so hard! I could definitely feel the burn!
Using the baby’s weight as your weight, the class gets tougher as the weeks go by. If you miss a week you certainly know about it – the next one is so much harder! I remember thinking “oh, she’s only gained a couple of pounds since last time, it won’t make that much difference”… Well, yes. Yes it did.
The best part about Suzanna’s group was that she was so understanding about needing to take a break to feed baby, or even to stop baby rolling onto other babies… I felt really welcome at her groups, and she was fantastic at making sure everyone could handle the workouts if you were a beginner or had been a regular!
So, that’s one way of really feeling that exercise, releasing endorphins and starting to recover the wellbeing of your body and mind.
BuggyFit
A popular class for postpartum fitness is BuggyFit. There are similar groups up and down the country, and you attend with your pushchair or pram. The group focuses on cardio exercises (usually outdoor) that you do whilst pushing a buggy!
These groups are also fabulous. Unfortunately I only went once, because of my incredibly busy schedule in the year after my daughter was born, but it was brilliant. With these, you’re not using baby as a weight, but more as a balance when squatting or a resistance when running.
One exercise that I found to be particularly cheeky was the reps of calf dips. With the beautiful beach backdrop, we stood on tiptoes at the edge of the pavement gently dipping up and down. It didn’t feel much then, but the next morning my calves were on fire!
This type of group is casual, so if nobody is running one nearby you can set one up yourself! All you need is few mummies wanting to have a go at some postpartum fitness – you can meet in the local park! It is possible that an informal group may already be set up locally, so check on Facebook!
Park Run
Finally – and this one is not limited to mums/dads/parents/guardians – I just have to say how FANTASTIC the park run is! Seriously, go online (but open up a new tab and keep this one up and keep reading!) and Google where your nearest park run is <– or just use that cheeky little hyperlink I’ve stuck in there. My other half, being in the army, has been doing running for years and he is a seasoned pro, so although he leaves me far behind when I’m running with the pushchair, it’s a great, fun activity to do with the whole family. We even took my stepdaughter a couple of weeks ago and she loved it! You can race each other to make it fun, or take it at a leisurely pace. I’ll be honest, I have to keep a pretty slow pace to complete the 5k course!
mashyyylalala
I need a serious amount of buggy fit 😛 I might have a look and see what there is locally
mashyyylalala
I need a serious amount of buggy fit 😛 I might have a look and see what there is locally
kateonthinice
I wonder if it is too late to join 17 years after pregnancy lol. I regret not taking myself in hand much sooner. #TheMMLinky
kateonthinice
I wonder if it is too late to join 17 years after pregnancy lol. I regret not taking myself in hand much sooner. #TheMMLinky
Someonecallsmemummy
Haha! That would be quite a hefty weight to lift at 17 years old! 😂 I’m now nearly 2 years post baby and my fitness regime is totally out of the window! Life happens and things get in the way, so don’t regret it just focus on moving forward! Thanks for commenting!
Someonecallsmemummy
Haha! That would be quite a hefty weight to lift at 17 years old! 😂 I’m now nearly 2 years post baby and my fitness regime is totally out of the window! Life happens and things get in the way, so don’t regret it just focus on moving forward! Thanks for commenting!
Marylin
Ahh I wish I'd had the nerve to do something like this when the boys were wee! 🙂 #
Marylin
Ahh I wish I'd had the nerve to do something like this when the boys were wee! 🙂 #
Kelly Kemp
I really wish I'd taken better care of myself after having my babies. I know it's never too late, but, realistically, it aint gonna happen! #TheMMLinky
Kelly Kemp
I really wish I'd taken better care of myself after having my babies. I know it's never too late, but, realistically, it aint gonna happen! #TheMMLinky
Mummy Setra
I have only just started exercising 18 months after having the little one and only just getting into it. Group exercise is definitely easier! #KCACOLS
Mummy Setra
I have only just started exercising 18 months after having the little one and only just getting into it. Group exercise is definitely easier! #KCACOLS
Sarah Barber
Absolutely! Gives you the extra motivation doesn’t it?
Sarah Barber
Absolutely! Gives you the extra motivation doesn’t it?
Jessica Powell
Joining a group was something I always meant to do but never got around to! I did a walking thing a couple of times but I went back to work three months in and that was that! #KCACOLS
Jessica Powell
Joining a group was something I always meant to do but never got around to! I did a walking thing a couple of times but I went back to work three months in and that was that! #KCACOLS
Sarah Barber
It can be so hard to find time! I’ve done barely any fitness since writing this post (not even park runs! 😭) but I’m on a mission now to dedicate some time to it again. It not only makes me feel fitter but I feel mentally better as well doing regular exercise!
Sarah Barber
It can be so hard to find time! I’ve done barely any fitness since writing this post (not even park runs! 😭) but I’m on a mission now to dedicate some time to it again. It not only makes me feel fitter but I feel mentally better as well doing regular exercise!
Amy
I left fitness until about 5 years after my youngest was born, I wasn't rushing into anything! By then buggyfit was out lol I took up running and then discovered Pole Fitness which I adore and have been doing ever since. It is so good for your core muscles, my pelvic floor has never been stronger. #kcacols
Amy
I left fitness until about 5 years after my youngest was born, I wasn't rushing into anything! By then buggyfit was out lol I took up running and then discovered Pole Fitness which I adore and have been doing ever since. It is so good for your core muscles, my pelvic floor has never been stronger. #kcacols
Carol Cameleon
Those calf dips down quite serene against the beach backdrop but I'll bet they hurt the next day! #kcacols
Carol Cameleon
Those calf dips down quite serene against the beach backdrop but I'll bet they hurt the next day! #kcacols
Sarah Barber
Oh god yes! I definitely felt the burn!
Sarah Barber
Oh god yes! I definitely felt the burn!
Sarah Barber
I’ve never had the guts to try pole fitness but I’m so curious!
Sarah Barber
I’ve never had the guts to try pole fitness but I’m so curious!
Kate Lili
While I wasn't in a rush to lose weight after my baby I did a couple of buggy fit classes at the park which I enjoyed but what I did more of was the couch to 5k nhs programme. I got a pram I could jog with and went jogging 3 times a week and slowly built up until I was running 5k in 28 mins which is slow but it was probably one of my more fitter periods. Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS hope to see you back next week!
Kate Lili
While I wasn't in a rush to lose weight after my baby I did a couple of buggy fit classes at the park which I enjoyed but what I did more of was the couch to 5k nhs programme. I got a pram I could jog with and went jogging 3 times a week and slowly built up until I was running 5k in 28 mins which is slow but it was probably one of my more fitter periods. Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS hope to see you back next week!
Sarah Barber
I’ve heard really good things about couch to 5k! And you’re right you definitely need the right pram to go with, ours is perfect for off road runs which is nice when I go along the canal path on the park run where I am 🙂
Sarah Barber
I’ve heard really good things about couch to 5k! And you’re right you definitely need the right pram to go with, ours is perfect for off road runs which is nice when I go along the canal path on the park run where I am 🙂
Life-As-Mum
I've heard of park runs! We have one quite nearby. I should do it really but can't get used to running! #KCACOLS
Sarah Barber
They're so great! Ours is really beautiful (and FLAT – thank god!) but running is pretty tough. It's one of the hardest exercises to do because you're weight bearing and have to have endurance and agility, the works! It makes the rewards worth it though 🙂
Sarah Barber
They're so great! Ours is really beautiful (and FLAT – thank god!) but running is pretty tough. It's one of the hardest exercises to do because you're weight bearing and have to have endurance and agility, the works! It makes the rewards worth it though 🙂
Sarah Barber
We always have stuff getting in the way don't we?! My fitness has well and truly taken a back seat while my husband is away and tbh I haven't been focusing on it much if at all this last year! Oopsie. But the existence of these things makes it that much easier to fall back into again! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Sarah Barber
We always have stuff getting in the way don't we?! My fitness has well and truly taken a back seat while my husband is away and tbh I haven't been focusing on it much if at all this last year! Oopsie. But the existence of these things makes it that much easier to fall back into again! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Sarah Barber
Yeah I have a feeling that mum and baby yoga with your child or teen might be a bit hard if you had to use them as a weight! 😛 thanks for commenting
Sarah Barber
Yeah I have a feeling that mum and baby yoga with your child or teen might be a bit hard if you had to use them as a weight! 😛 thanks for commenting