**Updated July 29, 2018**
Whether you’re on your first or fifth maternity leave, a stay-at-home mom, or a work-at-home mom like me, finding time for a workout once you’ve had kids can be challenging. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best baby and kid-friendly fitness classes in Edmonton and surrounding areas. If you’re home during the week with your baby, toddler, or both, then keep reading to find out where you can work out with your little ones!
Please remember that your postpartum body is not the same as your pre-baby body. Your core and pelvic floor often require gentle rehabilitation and many fitness classes with high impact exercises like burpees and jumping jacks may not be appropriate. Always listen to your body and make modifications when necessary. Avoid sit ups and crunches until you know that your core and pelvic floor are completely healed or according to my physiotherapist, never do them again. Haha.
After giving birth, it is not uncommon to have abdominal separation and pelvic floor weakness, including incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. These often go undiagnosed and will likely worsen without proper treatment and exercise modifications. Your doctor or midwife may have given you the go-ahead at your 6-week check-up to begin exercising again. However, I strongly recommend that you see a physiotherapist or specialist to have your core and pelvic floor assessed before commencing any exercise.
These physiotherapists and specialists come highly recommended:
Core Love Fitness, West Edmonton *My own personal review of her rehabilitation services is coming soon!
CURA Physical Therapies, West Edmonton
Mother Nurture Physiotherapy, North Edmonton
Nurture Her, West Edmonton
The Castle Downs YMCA offer childcare for members Monday – Saturday while they work out (hours vary)! They offer a variety of fitness classes you can do while your children are in childcare. Check out their current program schedule here. They will be re-launching several postnatal programs this fall including Baby & Me Aquafit, Stroller Fitness, and Mom & Baby Yoga.
A home studio owned by Rachelle, pre and postnatal fitness specialist and mother of three. She offers Stroll It Out Classes twice a week and Mom’s Return to Fitness once a week, all baby and kid-friendly.
All sessions are focused on connecting and strengthening the core and pelvic floor as well as coordinating all movement with the strength that comes from the core. Core Love offers private, semi-private, and group sessions in a kid-friendly space. You can get your workout in while the kids play, do puzzles or “work out” alongside you!
Caroline offers a Mom & Me Kid Fit class on Monday mornings in the Meadowlark area. She is passionate about safe postnatal fitness and you should definitely check it out!
Jamie Platz YMCA
The Jamie Platz YMCA offers childcare for members Monday – Saturday while they work out (hours vary)! They offer everything from yoga and cycling to tai chi and zumba. Find their current program and childcare schedule here.
Barre Body Studio, Holland Plaza
Barre is a great fitness option for new mamas. Their Mommy & Me class is offered on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. is designed for babies to be worn in carriers. Older children are welcome in the room as well.
Don Wheaton offers Baby & Me Aquafit on Monday mornings!
Barre Body Studio, Whitemud Crossing
We love barre! This Mommy & Me class is designed for babies to be worn in carriers. Older children are welcome in the room as well. Offered on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
A fun full-body workout combining toning and cardio where your little ones can play! The positive and challenging atmosphere of these classes is amazing! They offer classes all week at their studio and, weather permitting, offer outdoor classes in the summer months. All classes are kid-friendly and perfect for the whole family!
This awesome dance studio offers classes for everyone in the family, including a Wednesday morning JFit Mama class designed for moms to do while their babies are in carriers.
I LOVE this place! Studio owner Natasha makes all fitness levels feel welcome in her unique classes that take place on a surf board – a great way to rebuild core strength and stability after pregnancy! Babies can hang out in car seats or a blanket nearby and big kids can play in the lounging area or in the surf room with a plethora of colouring supplies and stickers to keep them occupied. Kid-friendly classes are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays!
The William Lutsky YMCA offers childcare Monday – Saturday for members while they exercise. Choose from a variety of fitness classes. Check out the current schedule here. Postnatal fitness classes will likely resume this fall.
This gorgeous studio – owned by my AMAZING friend Jeanette – is nestled in the heart of Old Strathcona and offers four baby and kid-friendly classes each week. Wear your baby in a baby carrier and let your toddler or preschooler hang out with the amazing front desk staff in the lounging area while you get your sweat on. They’ll stay occupied with the latest episode of Paw Patrol and the many toys and puzzles available. Offered four mornings a week.
This welcoming St. Albert studio offers a 30-minute kickboxing circuit, Mondays – Saturdays. And babies and children are welcome. When it comes to your workout, come anytime during regular hours and start your circuit.
With little ones snuggled into baby carriers, new moms learn basic steps to popular Latin Dances, while babies shake maracas and bounce along to the Salsa beat. Classes resume this fall.
Servus Place in St. Albert offers childminding Mondays – Saturdays so you can enjoy a workout. Servus Place also offers a variety of postnatal fitness classes including Postnatal Stroller Fitness as well as Baby and Me Aquafit, Baby and Mama Pilates, Postnatal Spin and Strength, Yoga for Mom and Baby, Fit Moms, Mom and Baby Barre, and Mom and Muscle.
This incredible facility offers personal training and group fitness classes, including yoga, cycling, and barre! The best part? They have on-site childcare in their Playcare facility offered every day of the week. Enjoy your workout or a treatment at their on-site spa while you work out.
This studio will rock your socks off! You will leave feeling invigorated after a heart-pumping full-on indoor cycling class and full-body workout, as you pick up your kids from the childcare room! Drop-in childcare is $7 per child or you have the option to buy a punch pass for 5 visits at $30 or 10 visits at $50. Onsite childcare for the win! Childcare classes offered 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Monday – Friday.
These baby and child-friendly fitness classes are offered in various locations in and around Edmonton.
Many City of Edmonton Recreation Centres offer an array of postnatal fitness classes as well as childcare while you work out.
For many new moms, it can be difficult to love their new bodies. They often look, feel, and perform differently. Your body created life and it is incredible. Please try to focus on the incredible strength of your body and be gentle with yourself as your begin to pursue exercise.
Love always,
~chelsey
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