Mom starts exercise group for mothers and babies
As a sometime-aerobics instructor and a busy mom, Serena Chapman
quickly got back into shape after she had her first daughter
Kaleigh 8 years ago. She taught an aerobics class called
”
belly button blow
”
to help new moms target their trouble area.
Mom starts exercise group for mothers and babies
As a sometime-aerobics instructor and a busy mom, Serena Chapman quickly got back into shape after she had her first daughter Kaleigh 8 years ago. She taught an aerobics class called “belly button blow” to help new moms target their trouble area.
“Most moms, their upper body strength is good because they are carrying and lifting their babies all the time,” Chapman said. “It is their lower body that doesn’t get the workout.”
Since giving birth to her youngest daughter Coralann 10 weeks ago, Chapman started talking to other new moms and parents of toddlers to see if they would like a group to help them get in shape and socialize. This week she launched Fit Mommies, an exercise group for new moms.
Five moms showed up with kids in strollers and two preschool age boys on bikes for the first class.
“I heard about it from my neighbor,” said Jill Skow, the mom of a 1 month old. “It’s an opportunity to get out of the house for a good hour to socialize and get in shape.”
Another mom said the class offers a more structured workout than she gets when she walks with her son.
“You’re doing it best, Mama,” one little boy said, as the mothers warmed up for the walk.
Several of the toddlers and preschool-age kids played on the park equipment as the moms did simple warm-up movements.
“Before I got pregnant I worked out regularly,” Chapman said. “But I was on bed rest a lot so I couldn’t do much. I put on a lot of weight.”
Chapman gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy. With her daughter less than 3 months old, she already looked toned in her workout clothes except for a slight pooch around the lower belly, a common problem area for new moms.
“I wanted to get back in my own clothes,” she said. “I refused to buy clothes that fit temporarily.”
Chapman has five years experience teaching aerobics classes and studied fitness and nutrition for a year in England.
“A lot of gym daycares don’t take babies until they are 6 months so moms can’t work out until then,” Chapman said. “And it’s no fun to go to the park alone.”
Her concept for her new business Fit Mommies is to get moms out of the house with their young children for a walk that incorporates the stroller, free weights and core training, with a play session or coffee break after. Moms will meet once a week at Frank Klauer Park and once a week at the Veterans Memorial Building for a downtown workout.
The workouts will incorporate a 45-minute walk, free weights for arms, legs and back, and abdominal exercises.
The classes are $8 and Chapman said she plans to offer a monthly membership for moms who plan to attend regularly. The first class is free and anytime they bring a friend for the first time, class is free. While Chapman is just offering two classes a week, if there is enough demand she may add a Saturday class for working parents.
“We are meeting at the Vets Building because not a lot of moms come down here [Downtown,]” she said. “It’s great to share this with them. Many don’t know about Running Rooster, Main Street Bistro.”
Tuesday morning workouts at Frank Klauer Park will be followed by a play group for kids. Thursday workouts will be followed by coffee and cookies as a time for the moms to socialize.
“If the children are happy, the parents will come back,” Chapman said.
For more information, call 637-4705 or visit www.fitmommiesonline.com. Class meets Tuesdays and Frank Klauer Park, on Beverly Drive between Hillcrest and Sunnyslope Roads at 9:30 a.m. with a 10:30 a.m. playgroup to follow; and Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. at 9: a.m. with coffee and cookies after class. Each class is $8.
