MUMS WHO WORK OUT: RECLAIM YOUR BODY
by Kelly Marcisz
Motherhood changes you inside and out. Often there is a big focus on looking after yourself during your nine months of pregnancy but not enough on looking after your body post baby.
And no wonder…who has time to go to gym when suddenly your new bundle of joy has taken over. Between feeds, baths and diaper changes, working out might be the last thing on your mind! However, once the craziness dies down, you may want to reclaim your body.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Exercising after you have your baby can improve both your physical and mental wellbeing. Emi Lehane, a personal trainer in Geneva, has developed an amazing post-natal group workout that can help any mum bounce back from their pregnancy.
Emi is a certified Personal Trainer with many years of experience in running and triathlons. Not only has she completed full and half marathons but she has also completed two half Iron-man triathlons! In April 2017 she became a mom and learnt the importance of ante and post-natal exercise, and she is passionate about sharing this knowledge with other women.
NO BABYSITTER NEEDED
Her post-natal workouts mainly focus on the muscles that have weakened after giving birth such as the deep abdominal muscles as well as helping women re-build their strength, stamina and fitness. The great thing about Emi’s classes is that she encourages mums to bring their babies along.
Being a mother herself Emi knows how tough it is to find the time to work out with a newborn and wants to offer a space where mums can workout without the need for babysitters.
SMALL AND INTIMATE
Her post-natal classes are small and intimate with a maximum of 6 people per class. Her classes run every week on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:00pm. The classes also offer mums a chance to meet other mothers, make friends and to share their experiences.
The classes are 60 minutes long, which is split into a warm-up, 20 minutes of fitness, abdominal rehabilitation and then a warm-down. Although each class is structured similarly they also vary with different exercises and use different equipment such as weights, exercise and resistance bands.
Although the classes are for post-natal mums, Emi encourages any mums who haven’t been able to take up exercise again after childbirth, to join her class. Mums who were already 5 years postpartum have joined her classes and experienced the benefits! Normally though, the classes are aimed at mums who are 6 weeks post-partum (for natural delivery) or 12 weeks post-partum (for C-section).
OUR VERDICT
I joined one of Emi’s “MUMS WHO WORK OUT” classes and was pleasantly surprised! Her classes are taught at the Yoga Lab in Plainpalais, which offers a warm and inviting space to work out. The small classes give you a chance to chat to other moms whilst feeling more comfortable.
I enjoyed the exercises, which were not too intense but still allowed me to feel like I was engaging my muscles and strengthening my body. Many of the exercises are modified so you are able to do jumping jacks and burpees without straining or hurting yourself. I found the abdominal and pelvic floor exercises great and I think they are pretty much essential for any women in any stage of her life! Emi is bubbly and energetic and her classes are enjoyable and fun!
TOP TIP
If you do join her classes I also recommend popping over to Oubien Encore (www.oubienencore.ch) for a healthy juice and vegan treat afterwards!
Since Emi is very focused on women and their fitness needs post-partum, she is also looking to start a lunchtime work out on Fridays for all the working moms out there! To find out more about her classes, see details below.
WHERE
Yoga Lab, Rue Charles-Humbert 10, 1205 Geneva
WHEN
Monday and Thursday, 2:00pm-3:00pm
HOW MUCH
CHF30 per session, CHF125 for 5 sessions
MORE INFO:
@bethebestyouwithemi
NOTE: MY CLASS WAS SPONSORED BY BYTHEBESTYOU.CO
