I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A NEW WEBSITE BUILT. I AM STILL UPDTING THIS ONE, BUT FOCUSSING ON THE NEW ONE SO YOU WILL NOTICE CHANGES LOCALLY THAT I HAVEN’T YET HAD THE CHANCE TO AMEND HERE.

If you can recommend any exercise classes, please let me know on NW8mums@gmail.com.

I was a gymnast (started when I was 4 years old) and did a lot of it including competitions etc. I have always been very active and love moving, walking, skiing (I grew up doing cross country skiing) and also downhill. But, I am NOT good at motivating myself to exercising alone at home.

Despite having done a number of runs for charity now, I actually don’t like running (unless it is a race and I am doing it for charity). Apparently, I am a good and natural runner and I am constantly told I should go for runs as part of my weekly exercise. I know myself though and rather than saying ‘I will’ and then spend time feeling guilty about not going for a run, I am brutally honest and just say ‘I don’t enjoy it’.

I would rather exercise in a way that works for me and also do something I enjoy: i.e. moving. I love the idea of my core getting stronger, my energy levels building up and it also helps my mental state of mind. Exercising was a big part of my recovery from postnatal depression.

I believe that working with someone is a very personal thing. When people ask me for recommendations, I always tell them to try a few different PTs, yoga or Pilates teachers to find the one that feels like the best fit for them.

 

Personal Training (PT)

Sarah Liebelt who is local to St John’s Wood is amazing and you can learn more about her by clicking HERE.

Alvaro (Al) Castano is a great PT with whom I have regular sessions and I love my sessions with him. His attention to detail is amazing. He also runs Saturday morning small group sessions.

Barbara Viragh can be reached on info@thestrongfitmethod.com or 07889 613 433.

Mums With No Excuses are great as they can help you with that tricky question: what do I do with my baby while I exercise? Well, Leigh (PT) and his wife Sarah (a qualified nanny) have got it sorted. They have various offers so that you can work out and not have to worry about childcare or you can do regular PT sessions with Leigh (without the childcare). My son was very happy when Sarah came around while I was training with Leigh in the garden.

Tamsyn Hamilton Personal Training has a great team of people who can help you with everything from training to nutrition. Tamsyn is also a mum so truly understands what women go through physically during and after pregnancies.

Vivian Da Fonseca who a highly qualified personal trainer with a wealth of experience across prenatal and postnatal functional training, weight-loss, performance training and rehabilitation. As one of Brazil’s best known fitness instructors, her work has taken her to Canada, the USA and the UK. She recently won Tatler magazine’s prize for “Best Bottom Class”.

One of our mums, Emma Sharav, is another great PT and she has her studio here in St John’s Wood. I have also had sessions with her and can recommend her. Click HERE to check out her website.

 

Group training

Outdoor

The Hub in Regent’s Park offers a variety of mummy and baby friendly activities such as Parent and Pram.

Buggy Fit – It is easy to get fit and meet other mums with Buggy Fit. The nearest place to do this is in Paddington Recreation Ground, Maida Vale and Sharon took over their classes in June 2018. You can learn more about Sharon below:

I am passionate about health and well-being. I am a post natal specialist, a PT and everyday nutritionist. I also do meal planning. I specialize in creating healthy fruit and vegetable juices. Previous clients whom I have consulted and created my bespoke juices for are London Fashion Week, Breast Cancer Care and Global Challenges Foundation to name but a few.

Being a contemporary and jazz dancer as well as a PT, you will find my classes fun and energising. All levels are welcome. I work all muscle group and pay lots of attention to pelvic floor work. It is a fun group gathering with babies and mums, and we often go for coffee afterwards. I also have a class in West Hampstead, teaching legs, bums and tums.

Classes take place in Paddington Rec on Tuesdays at 10 am and on Thursdays at 10.30 am and the meeting point is by the Bandstand. Sessions last an hour and are £15/session.

To contact Sharon of Buggy Fit, please email her on: re-energise.london@outlook.com.

Pilates

• My amazing Pilates teacher Gemma Shaw is a local mum of two boys and really understands and knows what women need both when pregnant and postnatally. I love my classes with her! Gemma can be contacted on gemshaw1@gmail.com

 

• Pilates with Paulette, now known as Restorative Movement, has a great reputation amongst local mums for helping them recover after pregnancy. Activate your pelvic floor, tone your tummy and strengthen your back.  Non-mobile babies sleep or socialise with the others whilst you enjoy some restorative exercise and much-deserved TLC. Or for those Mummies whose babies are already in nursery you are most welcome to come solo and dedicate an hour to yourself!

Paulette has comprehensive training in Matwork Pilates and postnatal exercise enabling her to create a bespoke blend of low impact exercises suitable for mums in their ‘4th Trimester’.  You will also learn lots of takeaway tips to ensure you don’t undo all your hard work. As well as nutrition information to accelerate healing and improve energy. Her courses run in school term times on Thursdays in Primrose Hill Library. Limited spaces so book your place at pilateswithpaulette@gmail.com or find out more at facebook.com/pilateswithpaulette/events

 

Yoga for Adults & Children, Bootcamp, Zumba & PT

Several nw8-mums do yoga classes, bootcamps, zumba and PT sessions with the lovely and energetic Paula. She  For details on her sessions, please click HERE.

Venues

The Garuda Yoga & Pilates Studio here in St John’s Wood is a wonderful place. I have done both matwork and apparatus work there. I have loved every session. What I found most inspiring there is the fact that there is no music playing which means I am focussing entirely on my mind and body. So refreshing in today’s world where everything is so loud and fast.

Heartcore opened its doors here in St John’s Wood in January 2016 and is a popular place.

Core Collective opened its doors in 2019 and is already a firm favourite with many locals.

At Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre there are many types of exercise to do. It is best to check with them what there is on and what types of membership schemes they have. If you want to go to the Leisure Centre gym, there is a creche for children up to the age of 5.

Health & Exercise Holidays

My previous PT (he now lives abroad) runs a health retreat holiday in Greece called Hellenic Healthy Holidays. Each retreat is a week long and has a lovely mixture of various kinds of training, detox and diet awareness. For more information, please refer to Henlu’s websites or send him an e-mail at: henlulondonpt@gmail.com