So, what is resistance training? Otherwise known as strength training and weight training, resistance training is exercise that is intended to increase muscular strength and endurance. It can involve using weights, exercise bands or your own bodyweight working against gravity.

People think of resistance training in the gym as something done to increase size and definition of muscles but there is so much more to resistance training and is essential for women to incorporate some form of resistance training into their lives to ensure that they can function well in everyday life.

We use our muscles for most activities that we do, think about carrying heavy car seats, getting buggies and shopping out of the car and crawling around after our little ones to name just a few.

Other benefits for women are that resistance training can help maintain a healthy weight, can help balance hormones and releases endorphins so improves your mental health too.

At Buggyfit our trainers incorporate resistance training into each class, we do a lot of bodyweight exercises (think squats and lunges) and also use kit like mini bands or long resistance bands. Often mums worry that it may be too much for them, they may have aching joints etc but resistance work will help release fluid around the joints and will help to ease this. Also new mums may feel that it will put too much pressure on their body whereas it will help them think about how they move to lift their babies and other items and help prevent injury as they will perform these tasks knowing what positions etc to use. If something doesn’t feel right to an individual the trainer will also give alternative and appropriate exercises. There will be a good amount of focus on glute and core strengthening too which will be very beneficial to help restore your body following birth.

So, don’t be afraid come and give resistance training a try and get the feel-good hormones of working out with other mums, Buggyfit is suitable for all fitness levels, and you will feel the benefits both mentally and physically.

By Bernice Littleboy, Buggyfit Trainer