Fitmums & Friends – a friendly, sociable, supportive and welcoming running and walking club. You don’t have to be a mum or fit or female – men, dads, grandparents are all welcome. Fitmums & Friends understands the difficulties for everyone of including regular physical activity in busy lives; for mums there’s the added complication of bodies that are not always what they were after having a family!

Fitmums & Friends offers:

• Running Groups – go at your own pace, with support to achieve your own goals
• Buggy Burn – a great workout for parents with small children
• Walking Groups – for those who aren’t ready, aren’t able or don’t want to run
• Support from trained run, walk and buggy burn leaders

Support systems
Fitmums & Friends uses a simple system known as “shepherding” to enable all standards of runners and walkers to exercise together. Shepherding allows everyone to go at their individual pace without pressure to keep up with others who may be faster, but without fear of being left behind. Shepherding accommodates mixed abilities in a group and still provides a challenge for those who are capable but supports those who need to go at a slower pace.

Running
Fitmums & Friends welcomes all standards of runners including those who have never run but fancy having a go. Sessions offer a choice of distances from 1 mile through to 6+ miles. No need to worry about holding the group back: the ‘shepherding’ system ensures everyone exercises at an appropriate level for their ability with the reassurance that you will never be left behind. Everyone is committed to this system which is what makes Fitmums & Friends so very supportive. Many of the Fitmums & Friends training programmes also include hill training, speed sessions, timed runs and strength and conditioning circuits. These are always suitable for every level of runner so everyone is welcome. Apart from adding variety and fun to the running programme they really help running fitness.

Buggy Burn
Buggy Burn is for people of all ages, sizes and abilities who have children or babies that can sit in a pram/buggy, for pregnant women who want to keep fit and healthy during pregnancy or anyone who wants a walking-based exercise class (dads and grandparents welcome). You don’t have to have a buggy to take part. Buggy burn is a safe and effective class to do and it helps to burn fat, tone muscles and increase fitness levels. Sessions start with a warm up followed by a main workout of moderate to fast walking, but can involve a jog for anyone who feels able. This is a cardio workout to work the lungs, heart, to burn fat and improve posture. Buggies are parked up during the session so that some toning exercises can be included. This may involve the use of resistance bands or the buggies or even park benches and fences. Squats, lunges, press-ups and abdominal sit-ups are all possible exercises included in the session, which help to work the legs, bum, shoulders, arms, stomach and pelvic floor muscles.

Walking
Fitmums & Friends walking groups welcome all levels of fitness and offer you the chance to choose a distance suitable for your ability varying from 1- 5 miles or more if desired. Within each group you are able to walk at your own pace and can be reassured that the shepherding system means you will never be left behind. Whether you are looking for encouragement to get a new fitter you or if you would like some social fun, then Fitmums & Friends walking groups can help!