If you’ve got a baby or toddler you’ll already be getting lots of exercise just looking after them – lifting them into the car, carrying them and always on the move to keep them safe and happy. But getting other physical exercise has its benefits too.
The Bub Hub has lots and lots of listings of yoga, pilates and other exercise classes especially for new mothers. Many of these are run by physiotherapists or are offered by the hospitals. The list of classes on the Bub Hub is extensive, covering South East Queensland. We highly recommended this site as a source of parent-friendly exercise options!
If you run exercise or fitness classes for parents and babies, please enter the details in our events calendar or directory so the people of Brisbane can find you and your classes.
Pilates and yoga
Take a look at our page about pilates which includes details of postnatal pilates classes.
Yoga is an excellent way to keep supple and relaxed. There are a number of yoga schools, which offer classes where you can take your child with you.
Yogababy offers specialised classes for pregnant women and women with babies or toddlers. Use yoga to recover your body’s strength after birth and to help you keep up with your energetic child.
There are even classes for kindy kids and school age children too.
Personal trainers and gyms
See our directory for contact details of personal trainers and contact them about constructing an exercise regime with a toddler in tow. You might be able to share the costs with another parent.
Most gyms offer childcare facilities on site. Take advantage of these. They usually only cost a couple of dollars per session (on top of your gym membership fees).
Walking
Take the baby for a daily walk. Even if they cry it doesn’t sound as loud outside! See our walking page for inspiration. There are links to the various walking activities, some especially for parents with prams. Call the Brisbane City Council on (07) 3403 8888 for details of stroller walks scheduled near you.
Roma Street Parklands offer guided walks for parents with prams on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am.
Plus take part in some of the organised charity walks and runs that happen in Brisbane throughout the year. Participants with strollers are always welcome. Most of the larger fun runs and walks are scheduled between March and October.
Swimming
Use Brisbane’s pools to keep active. Take the toddler in the water with you and walk or jog through the water. You’ll get an upper body workout holding your little one. If you organise to go to the pool with a group of parents, you can take it in turns to swim some laps or take part in aqua aerobics classes. One babysits, one swims.
Centenary Pool offers child care for a small extra cost if you participate in their swimfit or aqua aerobics classes (held Monday to Friday mornings). Call them on 07 3831 7665 for more details.
Chandler Pool has casual child minding each weekday morning (8.15am – 12.30pm) for minimal cost, allowing you to swim laps or take part in classes.
Even taking your baby to swimming classes can be exercise for you as you join them in the water. Find a baby swimming class near you.
Other ideas
If it’s difficult to get to a gym or organised exercise class, try one of the many exercise, yoga or pilates DVDs. Borrow them or buy them and use them whenever you get the chance.
Tennis
If you’ve got older children, say 3 or 4 years old, try a game of tennis with other mums. The kids can amuse themselves off-court while you get active. Find a tennis court that offers a safe open space and some shade if possible. Give them a couple of balls and a small racquet and you might develop a tennis champion of the future.
Parks
Go to the park – but don’t just GO to the park and watch your child running around, get running with them. Run races, skip with them, roll on the ground, even climb the equipment in the playgrounds. And think about walking or riding to the park instead of driving.
Bikes
Bike riding is fun with young children. It’s easy to install a child bike seat on the back of your bike and they are suitable for children from about 6 months to 3 years. After your child is 4 or 5, they can be on their own bike and you can ride together.
Barefoot Bowls
Why not try a game of barefoot bowls? Most bowls clubs welcome children. Little ones will enjoy going barefoot on the grass too.
Movies
It’s not technically exercise, but it may give you a healthy laugh or chance to get out of the house – child-friendly movie screenings. During these special movie sessions the lights aren’t so low and the audience is understanding of a crying child or the need to breastfeed or attend to their needs during the movie. Check for a cinema near you.
Staying active and busy is an important element in maintaining good physical and mental health. To read more about postnatal depression, take a look at the resources of the Beyond Blue organisation.
