I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Jacey from Qookeee, the baby clothing rental company, last week about why I set up HA fitness and my top tips about getting fit after having a baby.
It’s over on the Qookeee blog, so have a read and let me know what you think…
Back by popular demand! Laura's postnatal fitness classes return to South Park Gardens, Wimbledon.
7 week course starting 8 September 2022
Every Thursday 9.30-10.30am
South Park Gardens, Wimbledon
Just £56 and no childcare required!
Find out more and book your place!
Our Zoom sessions really are the most effective way to train at home.
You could, of course, do a few YouTube videos. But with our live classes you'll get guidance, camaraderie, motivation, friendship, and community. Our team will help you to be accountable and motivated. We check in on everyone to make sure you’re executing the moves correctly and to ensure our instructions are clear. You won't quit early or take extra long water breaks if the HA team are watching!
Head over to our timetable to view all of our classes. We have:
- 13 classes a week
- 5 different instructors
- Loads of variation!
All for just £12 a week or £44 a month!
Hopefully you're all settling into your new post-Christmas routine OK?
Life continues to be full of unexpected challenges, but you really don't need me to remind you of that. From a health, fitness and wellbeing point of view, if you've been exercising and eating healthily for most of the time, then give yourself a pat on the back and keep it up!
If you've gone slightly off track and want to get back into it, then don't focus on the past. Look forward to the fact that you're making a positive change now, and build on that. Your positive focus and actions will build momentum and enthusiasm. And of course, if we can support you in any of this, we will.
Our Zoom timetable continues to be very popular, with 13 classes a week, 5 different instructors and lots of variation. All for just £12 a week or £44 a month. If you've not signed up yet, drop me a line and we can organise a free week of classes for you to trial.
Finally, a big thanks to all of our clients for the encouraging feedback and all of the little thank you messages that appear randomly in my inbox!
Stay safe, healthy and fit,
Heather x
OK, let’s talk about COVID-19 (do we ever talk about anything else at the moment?!).
First of all, I know that we have lots of health professionals as clients, who are far more knowledgable than I am. I also know that there’ll be lots of data nerds out there who’ll be able to out-quote me on all of the facts. I am by no means an expert.
However, I’d like to reassure you that the health and wellbeing of our HA fitness community are our priority.
I strongly believe that our immune systems can be boosted by living a healthy lifestyle. By that, I mean eating nutritious foods, reducing stress and enjoying exercise.
So do keep joining us in the park for some stress busting fitness fun. I have always said that exercising outside exposes you to far less germs than being in a gym.
Here’s what we're doing at HA fitness:
As Instructors, we’ll be washing our hands as often as possible (if we can get hold of alcoholic gel, we’ll use it). We’ll refrain from hands on exercise correction and handling babies or children. We won’t ask you to do any partner work where you have close contact with each other.
We’ll reduce the amount of equipment we use to a minimum. As we’re working outside all day, it’s difficult for us to sterilise our mats. However, please do feel free to bring your own mat or towel.
Here’s what we advise you to do:
Wash your hands before and after each class, and if you’re using your own mat, give that a clean too. Wave and smile at each other, rather than hugs and kisses. Eat well, get lots of activity and plenty of sleep to strengthen your immunity and build up your own personal defence systems.
Obviously, don’t come to class if you’re sick or believe you have come into contact with the coronavirus.
We hope to keep our full timetable running during this period, whist taking all of the appropriate precautions.
If you have either any concerns or helpful suggestions, please do drop us a line. Let’s focus on a united HA fitness effort to stay healthy.
Heather x
Healthy, warming and sweetly comforting. This hotpot is great for busy days and hungry families.
Simply toss everything into the slow cooker and ignore until dinner time. It took me around 15 mins to prepare from scratch. If you’re pushed for time, I’ve listed some timesaving cheats at the bottom of the recipe. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can cook this in the oven for around 1hour 30mins. If it turns out too spicy for certain family members, top with some creme fraiche, coconut milk or cheese.
Ingredients:
500g chicken (breast or thigh)
Splash of olive oil for frying
6 apricots (fresh or dried)
2 carrots
2 peppers (red, orange or yellow)
4 potatoes (medium)
1 onion
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp mild curry (optional - add according to taste)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp honey
500ml of chicken or vegetable stock
Method:
Fry the chicken in a little oil to seal. Then fry the onion until soft. Pop both into the slow cooker.
Meanwhile, roughly chop the carrots, peppers, potatoes and apricots. Then pop all of this, plus the garlic, into the slow cooker.
Make up 500ml of stock. Mix in the spices and honey. Then poor it all into the slow cooker and give it a good stir.
Cover and cook on low for around 6 hours.
Timesaving cheats:
Don’t bother browning the chicken or frying the onions (just throw them into the pot).
Scrub the carrots and potatoes rather than peeling them.
Use garlic paste or pre-chopped garlic rather than fresh cloves.
Oooohh thanks Joe Wicks The Body Coach for encouraging parents and carers to come along to our Buggyfit postnatal classes!
Join us with your little one on Wimbledon Common every Tuesday morning at 11am for a powerwalk, strength training and some core workouts.
Wimbledon Buggyfit is the ultimate fitness class for new Mums. We've been training postnatal ladies in SW18 and SW19 for nearly 14 years!
Our classes are:
- Suitable for all levels of fitness, from the complete beginner to experienced exerciser
- Great for shifting post natal weight
- Ideal for toning your tummy, arms, bum & legs
- Convenient as baby comes too
- Safe as our instructors are all qualified & experienced in ante/post natal fitness
- Sociable and a great way to meet other new mums
- Not just a walk in the park!
Get in touch to organise your free trial :)
As usual, there will be NO classes on Bank Holiday Monday (we're all having a little rest).
Saturday morning IS going ahead in South Park Gardens, meet us there at 7.45am and again at 9.00am.
All back to normal on Tuesday for Buggyfit at 11am on Wimbledon Common.
Enjoy the sunny long weekend!
Heather x
Are you ready to roll with the punches? We've got some great BoxFit classes coming up in August and September. Working on your cardio, strength and power, these sessions are great stress busters too!
We have a mixed bunch of clients who come along. Both guys and girls, with different levels of fitness and boxing experience. All classes are beginner friendly, but expect to workout hard...and sweat a lot!
We provide all of the gloves and pads, however if you have your own, do bring them along.
Head over to our BootCamp page for dates and booking details.
Get ready to box and burn!
Just a quick reminder that, as usual, there are NO classes on Bank Holiday Monday.
Due to the team being away, there will also be NO Buggyfit class on Wimbledon Common on Tuesday.
We've got a full timetable for the rest of the week, so that you can burn-off some of the weekend excesses!
- Wed: 6.15am Wimbledon Park
- Thu: 6.15am South Park Gardens
- Thu: 9.30am South Park Gardens
- Thu: 11.00am Wimbledon Park
- Fri: 6.15am Wimbledon Park
- Sat: 7.45am South Park Gardens
- Sat: 9.00am South Park Gardens
Everyone is welcome to join us at all of these sessions. It's half term, so why not bring the kids along too?
See you in the park soon!
Heather and the HA fitness team x
Our trained jazz dancer and fitness instructor, Laura, is back with a new course for Spring 2019! We’re delighted to offer our first specialised indoor post-natal workout for both Mum and baby, allowing mums to exercise to music whilst also giving baby a sensory and fun adventure at the same time!
Join us for…
Resistance work using bands and mat-based body weight exercises to strengthen muscles and address postural imbalance
Core work to strengthen deep abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor
Low impact, high intensity cardio intervals to encourage sustainable weight loss
Gentle stretching to ease muscle tightness
Babies can join mum and/or play on the mat nearby.
You will need to bring your own mat. Please feel free to bring a bouncy chair, bumbo or similar along with some toys and a towel or muslin for baby to lie on. Please note your baby remains your responsibility throughout the session.
Who is the course suitable for?
The course will be suitable for babies up to one year/walking. Once they’ve worked out what their legs are capable of, they may be keener to run at our Fit In The Park (FITP) – Family classes and join in the action there!
What are the benefits?
Low intensity exercise will help you feel less tired.
Exercising boosts your energy levels and releases wonderful feel-good endorphins.
You are able to get fit and entertain baby at the same time!
A small group setting - with space for just 8 clients (and their babies) there will be the opportunity to discuss post-natal fitness with Laura and set a goal or focus over the course so that she can cater to each of your individual needs.
Whilst we cannot promote the benefits of outdoor fitness enough, this particular course during the changing seasons will keep baby warm without a speck of mud in sight!
Where: The Gooseberry Bush Studio (above the café) 115 Kington Road, Wimbledon SW19 1LT.
The Gooseberry Bush Cafe is a lovely welcoming place which is great for socialising afterwards as well as offering excellent baby changing facilities.
When: Every Wednesday for 5 weeks from 24th April to 22nd May 2019.
Time: 9.30-10.30am
Cost: £65 for the 5 sessions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of HA fitness’s regular Fit In The Park classes.
Places are limited due to space and so please book soon to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries, please do drop us a line.
My kids may not always do what I ask them to do. But they’ll often want to do the things that they see me doing.
I love it when, at some of our classes, toddlers try to mimic what they see their Mums and Dads doing. They might not be strong enough, or co-ordinated enough to be able to perfect a burpee yet. But they’ll give it a dam good go, especially if it involves getting a bit muddy!
So be the person that inspires your children’s future fitness. Let them see you exercising, and let them know that it’s important to you.
Why not bring them along to some of our Fit In The Park - Family sessions over the Easter Holidays?
Everyone is welcome to come along, no matter how old or young. Drop us a line if you have any questions about how it all works.
Heather x
P.S. The photo is of me and my 2 kids last Saturday. We entered a 5K team Swimathon together. My 7 year old swam 1K (40 lengths), my 9 year old swam 2K (80 lengths) and I brought us up to the 5K mark. I was a very proud Mum! (Dad worked very hard too. He had to count and accurately record every single one of our 200 lengths!).
An ultra-calorie burning workout that’s guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Using boxing pads and gloves, you'll work your whole body, whilst challenging your strength, speed and endurance. It's lots of fun and a great stress buster too!
Dates: 5 weeks starting from Tues 23rd/Wed 24th April to Tues 21st/Weds 22nd May 2019 (inclusive).
Tues 7.45pm at Garfield School, Wimbledon
Wed 7.15pm at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon
Cost: £45 for a block of 5 sessions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park classes.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Sign-up today and become a Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine! We'll be limiting numbers due to the space and equipment available, so book your place now. Or drop us a line for more info.
If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park classes.
Please note that our BootCamps are non-refundable and non-transferable. You must complete a health form before you join, and you attend at your own risk. Please also read our full Terms And Conditions.
Antonio is running 4 BoxFit Pop-Up sessions over the Easter holidays. These are a great way for our regular boxers to keep up thier training. We’d also warmly welcome anyone who is new to BoxFit to come and give it a go, without commiting to a whole course.
BoxFit is a ultra-calorie burning workout that’s guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Using boxing pads and gloves, you'll work your whole body, whilst challenging your strength, speed and endurance. It's lots of fun and a great stress buster too!
N.B. We need to confirm with both halls for these sessions in advance. We therefore have a cut-off of 31 March to book places (If after this date, we have enough interest, and spaces available, we may extend the booking deadline).
Dates:
Tues 9th April 7.45pm at Garfield School, Wimbledon
Wed 10th April 7.15pm at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon
Tues 16th April 7.45pm at Garfield School, Wimbledon
Wed 17th April 7.15pm at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon
Cost: £10 for 1 class or £18 for 2 sessions.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Sign-up today and become a Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine! We'll be limiting numbers due to the space and equipment available, so book your place now. Or drop us a line for more info.
Please note that our Pop-Up sessions are non-refundable and non-transferable. You must complete a health form before you join, and you attend at your own risk. Please also read our full Terms And Conditions.
Who’s joining us at Buggyift in the sunshine on Thursday?
Meet us in South Park Gardens at 9.30am and then at 11.00am in Wimbledon Park.
Free trials to all newcommers! Just message us for all details first.
(Sunshine not guaranteed)
Now that half term is nearly over and the signs of Spring are starting to peek through, it's time to come out of hiding and treat yourself to a BootCamp!
We've got 4 great courses coming up. Head over to our BootCamp page for all the details. From BoxFit to Cardio Pilates, and Body Sculpting to SkiFit, there's something for everyone.
All of our Fit In The Park classes (except for our postponsed Monday nights) and Buggyfit sessions are running as normal.
The forecast promises some lovely spring weather next week, so do join us in the park!
A total body conditioning BootCamp with a difference! Antonio will show you how to use your body as a tool to create lean muscle mass. Teaching you how to increase resistance to challenge, build and sculpt your muscles.
As there’s no fancy gym equipment, you’ll learn techniques and movements that you can take away with you. No excuses not to practice at home!
This BootCamp will be highly motivating and encouraging for people of all abilities. Each exercise can be adjusted to make you feel comfortable or push you to your limit!
Join us on this 6 week progressive course and feel strong and fit for the summer!
Time: 7.30-8.30pm
Where: St Barnabas Church, SW18 5EP
Cost: £54 for a block of 6 sessions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park or Buggyfit classes.
Head over to our BootCamp page to book your place or drop us a line for more info.
An invigorating fusion of classic Pilates movements and fat-burning cardio exercises.
Sophie is excited to launch our new 6-week Cardio Pilates BootCamp every Tuesday night from 26th February. Sophie is a qualified Pilates instructor (BASI) and experienced HA fitness personal trainer.
Our Cardio Pilates course is about building whole-body strength and flexibility as well as improving cardio fitness and burning loads of calories too!
Dates: Every Tuesday from 26 February to 3 April 2019 (inclusive).
Time: 7.30-8.15pm (please note the later start time and that it is now a 45min class).
Where: Garfield School, Garfield Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8SB
Cost: £50 for a block of 6 sessions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park classes.
Please note that our BootCamps are non-refundable and non-transferable. You must complete a health form before you join, and you attend at your own risk. Please also read our full Terms And Conditions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park or Buggyfit classes.
Head over to our BootCamp page to book your place!
This one is all about the legs, glutes and core. Getting you fit for skiing, running, cycling or triathlons. Boost your performance and reduce your risk of injury!
The course will help you to:
- Strengthen your whole body, with particular focus on the legs and core
- Improve your muscular endurance and stamina
- Sharpen your balance and agility
- Build your aerobic fitness
This is a progressive 6-week course, with each session building on what we worked on the previous week.
Time: 6.15 - 7.00am
Place: South Park Gardens
Dates: Every Tuesday morning 26 February to 3 April 2019 (inclusive)
Cost: £54 for the 6 sessions
(NB, if you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park classes).
Please note that our BootCamp are non-refundable and non-transferable. You must complete a health form before you join, and you attend at your own risk. Please also read our full Terms And Conditions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park or Buggyfit classes.
Head over to our BootCamp page to book your place!
A total body conditioning BootCamp with a difference! Antonio will show you how to use your body as a tool to create lean muscle mass. Teaching you how to increase resistance to challenge, build and sculpt your muscles.
As there’s no fancy gym equipment, you’ll learn techniques and movements that you can take away with you. No excuses not to practice at home!
This BootCamp will be highly motivating and encouraging for people of all abilities. Each exercise can be adjusted to make you feel comfortable or push you to your limit!
Join us on this 6 week progressive course and feel strong and fit for the summer!
When: Every Monday from 25 February until 2 April (inclusive).
Time: 7.30-8.30pm
Where: St Barnabas Church, SW18 5EP
Cost: £54 for a block of 6 sessions. If you miss a session, you're welcome to make it up at one of our regular Fit In The Park classes.
Head over to our BootCamp page to book your place!
