When can I start postnatal fitness classes?

You must always ensure you have been given the all clear by your midwife or GP to participate in physical activity. Please ensure you have been advised you are ready to begin exercising again after birth at your 6-8 week check with your GP and for those who have given birth via c-section, please leave it at least 12 weeks to ensure a full recovery.

If you are keen to get started with a fitness regime after having a baby but have not yet had your 6-8 week check, so long as you had no issues during your pregnancy or labour and your midwife is happy with your recovery after labour, focus on breathing exercises, engaging your pelvic floor and gentle walks.

What stage of pregnancy do I need to be in to take part in prenatal fitness classes?

You must always ensure you have been given the all clear by your midwife or GP to participate in physical activity. For expecting mama’s, this can be via a chat with your midwife at one of your check up appointments.

It doesn’t matter what stage of pregnancy you are in! There will always be options for the different stages of pregnancy and this will be clearly shared with you during your Happy Mama Fitness class.

I’m no longer ‘newly’ postpartum, can I still attend postnatal fitness classes?

Yes, of course! It certainly doesn’t need to be a bad thing but once we have had a baby, we are always postpartum. We all have different pregnancies, labours and newly postpartum journey’s. We all had different lifestyles and fitness levels before conceiving, during pregnancy and beyond. Some of us want to get back into exercise as soon as possible, others are only ready quite some time after the birth of our little one. For all these reasons, postnatal classes are open to all mums!

As always, the safety of our mamas and their little ones is our number one priority. And although we want to provide a service which is accessible to all mums, we do not offer a creche service. Therefore, if you do wish to bring your little one with you, they are always your responsibility. Happy Mama Fitness selects venues which are big enough for mums to bring along prams, car seats or play mats so you can have your little one nearby whilst you exercise. If your little one is mobile, all we ask is that you ensure they are happy to play or chill out under your supervision, in a safe space whilst you take part in the class.

I can’t attend all the sessions in a block, can I get a discounted price?

Unfortunately not, all classes are booked in blocks and the full fee must be paid in advance in order to attend.

There is extensive planning and preparation which takes place before each block of classes begins, including assessment and discussion with each client signed up to ensure classes are safe and appropriate for all. To ensure this process can take place, clients must be signed up before a block begins in order to participate.

What housekeeping needs to be done before I can participate in a Happy Mama Fitness class?

All clients are required to complete a ‘Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire’ or PAR-Q, before they are able to participate in any fitness class. PAR-Q’s are either pre or postnatal specific and provide your instructor with all of the information they need to plan a safe and appropriate exercise class. PAR-Q’s are valid for two consecutive blocks clients sign up to. If you would like to attend further blocks of classes, you will be required to complete a shorter, less detailed PAR-Q every two blocks. You must declare any changes to your PAR-Q as soon as possible and update details provided with Happy Mama Fitness regularly.

Your instructor will always ask how you are before the start of each class. You must ensure you inform your instructor of any changes to your PAR-Q or relevant information you think necessary for them to know.

How will my personal information be handled by Happy Mama Fitness?

Any information gathered and collected by Happy Mama Fitness will be used and stored in accordance with our ‘Participant Privacy Notice’. All participants will be emailed a copy of this policy when they sign up to a block of classes with us. Please contact: info@happymamafitness.co.uk if you would like to receive a copy of this documentation.