Bumps and Babies

The Sports and Recreation Centre (SARC) at HMS Collingwood welcomed some young recruits recently at the Bumps and Babies session.

Bumps and Babies is the brainchild of Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Luke Steele and allows female service personnel and the partners of serving personnel a chance to keep fit and keep an eye on their babies at the same time.

 Lieutenant Penelope Thompson, who attended the latest session with six month old Stephanie, commented, “To do exercise in a normal gym is really difficult and this is a very understanding group where no-one minds if the babies are a bit noisy.”

Mums can use their babies as weights in carefully chosen floor exercises or alternatively the group offers safe areas for the babies to play, freeing up the mums to use the equipment.

LPT Steele is a fully qualified post natal instructor and advises on safe levels of exercise for the mums and mums-to-be, together with nutritional advice appropriate for each individual.

Lieutenant Zoe Payne, whose baby boy is due in May said, “Most gyms are very male-dominated but this is a much more comfortable environment. I will definitely bring my baby here as no other gym offers the superb level of equipment we have here and will allow me to bring Baby along.”

This friendly, supportive local group is especially important for Navy personnel to regain their fitness levels quickly and safely both during and after pregnancy.

To do exercise in a normal gym is really difficult and this is a very understanding group where no-one minds if the babies are a bit noisy.

Lieutenant Penelope Thompson