Pushing to get fitter (From York Press)

Pushing to get fitter

8:53am Saturday 3rd February 2007 in

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FORGET snazzy trainers and designer sports gear, the latest must-have accessories for keeping fit is a baby and a buggy.

Two new fitness groups in York are aimed at new mums - and baby comes too. Buggyfit and Pushy Mothers offer hour-long fitness workouts to help women shape up after pregnancy.

Christian Fox, former York City footballer and a columnist for The Press, started Buggyfit this week, with classes at Upper Poppleton on Tuesday and at Knavesmire on Thursday, both from 10am-11am.

Next Generation club in York is launching the Pushy Mothers class on Wednesday at Rowntree Park, with fitness instructor Lucy Ford. They will run from 10am-11am, starting on February 21.

Christian, who has a five-year-old son, Harry, is a personal trainer and decided to start up Buggyfit in York after seeing its success elsewhere in the UK.

He said: "I noticed there was a gap in the market for new mums and exercise. The great thing about Buggyfit is that you can do some exercise and bring your baby with you."

Christian's partner, Holly, spurred him on. "She told me I should do something like this. When she had Harry, there was nothing like this for her to do."

The hour-long class combines gentle and brisk walking with a range of exercises such as lunges, squats, and push-ups - but instead of using gym equipment, mums train with buggies, park benches and walls.

Paula Clark, 25, of Dringhouses, York, keeps fit looking after five-year-old daughter Holly and toddler Huw, 18 months.

She said: "I walk a lot and cycle with Huw on the back, but we are always looking for different things to do. This is good fun, and Huw enjoys being out too. It's nice to do some exercise which doesn't involve having to take him to some place or doing housework. It's also nice for me because doing exercise gives me more energy."

New mum Claire Thomas-Durant, 30, of Clifton Moor, York, admits Buggyfit is the first mother-and-baby group she has attended with 20-week-old Brooke.

She said: "I wanted to get out and meet new mums. It's nice to get a bit of company as well as getting some fitness. I didn't want to be one of those mums who can't run around in the playground. I think it's a really fantastic idea; it brings people together and everybody has the same aim."

Christine Johnson, 35, of Woodthorpe, York, is mum to four-year-old Sam and is expecting again in April. She took part in both Buggyfit sessions this week and can't wait to come back with her new baby.

She said: "I went to the gym until I was about 21 weeks pregnant, but felt too self -conscious. This has been great fun. We did lunges, squats and press-ups against the wall, which was a bit of a laugh. We looked daft, but we all looked daft together. It was just great, I felt really energetic afterwards. I could have done the walk by myself, but I knew I wouldn't. It's good to have someone to push you on."

At the start of each session, Christian asks the mums to take their resting heartbeat, which is checked throughout the session to make sure everyone is working out within their limits.

Christian said: "When you are exercising, you want to feel a bit warm but still able to hold a conversation."

Lucy Ford, who starts the new Pushy Mothers group later this month, is a member of the guild of pregnancy and post-natal exercise instructors. She agrees with Christian that there are not enough fitness opportunities available to new mums.

Lucy, mum to six-year-old Kewell, said: "I've always been passionate about post-natal exercise. There's not really enough out there for mums. We have tried running studio-based classes where the babies are put in the crèche, but find the mums get to do 20-minutes then have to go because the baby starts crying."

The beauty about Pushy Mothers, she says, is that the mum can exercise while taking the baby out for some fresh air.

"We encourage mums to feed the babies before the class, and hopefully they might fall asleep."

At Pushy Mothers, special focus is paid to pelvic exercises and posture. Lucy said: "We make mums aware of how they are pushing their pram. They need to stand nice and tall, shoulders down and back and keep the pram close to them."

Besides the exercise, the class has other benefits. Lucy said: "It's good for mum and baby to be out in the fresh air and is a great way for new mums to make friends as well as burn off that baby fat."

She said breastfeeding could lead to a five per cent decrease in bone density, making it all the more important for new mums to exercise. The course has been accredited by the Royal College of Midwives.

Lucy said: "I know what it is like to be sat at home with a baby. It can be boring and it's really important to get out."

Ready, steady, go...

BUGGYFIT and Pushy Mothers will run in all weather. Women need to wear trainers, comfy sports clothes, preferably layers for when they get warm. They are asked to bring a drink for themselves and baby. Remember to keep babies cosy, they are not exercising.

Women can check with their GP, but the general advice is that new mums can exercise six to eight weeks after delivery, or eight to ten weeks after a caesarean section.

Buggyfit: Meets Tuesday 10am at Upper Poppleton Community Centre; Thursday 10am at Knavesmire (junction of Campleshon Road and Knavesmire Terrace). Price £3.50. Just turn up or for more details, contact Christian on 07711 871 170. For more information visit www.buggyfit.co.uk Pushy Mothers: Meets on Wednesdays at 10am from February 21 in Rowntree Park car park. Price: £5 or £3 to Next Generation members. Membership fee required of £15, which includes a bag and resistance exercise bands. Classes must be booked in blocks of four weeks.

For more information contact Lucy on 07917 891 139. Also check out www.pushymothers.com

Fitness ideas for new mums

Here are some of the best exercises for new mums...

• Go swimming. It's gentle, low impact and pretty much anyone can do it.

• Pilates. One of the best ways to re-train your pelvic area after pregnancy.

• Legs, bums and tums. Tell the instructor you have just have a baby and be sure to take it easy.

• Aqua aerobics. Gentle and low impact, great for toning.

• Walking. It's easy, it's free and baby can go too.

• Baby yoga. Gentle exercise for mum and baby.