Baby Bootcamp!

Of course, wherever there are babies there are moms looking to get back into shape, which can be a daunting task when you don't have the free time or energy to devote to yourself. But mothers are nothing if not resourceful. A group of West End moms who took a baby playgroup together had the idea of getting together for a weekly outdoor fitness class that included their children. NDG resident, Kirsten Sutherland, and proud new mom of Audrey Lefrançois, got the ball rolling. NDG resident and fitness trainer Julie Beaumont was approached to teach the class and Baby Boot camp was born.

The class, held every Monday at 11 a.m. at Somerled Park, is tailored to any fitness level and involves fitness boxing (stance, left jab, right punch and skipping) as well as basic boot camp exercises with body weight (sometimes they use their babies), jump squats, jumping jacks, pushups, park bench step-ups and dips, jogging around the park, crunches, etc.

"Many of these new moms were wondering how they were going to manage exercise this summer and being able to bring their babies to class and this manages to do both in a relaxing outdoor atmosphere," explains Beaumont, who is also the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

"I try to entertain the babies when they get fussy so that their workouts are not interrupted, but I can only do so much when it's time for them to breastfeed," Beaumont says laughing.

The class has been expanding as word has spread, but there's still room for more moms if they're interested. Ideally the class is for moms with babies, as it can be a little distracting chasing a toddler around, but everyone is welcome. For more information and/or to join the class, you can contact Julie Beaumont at 514-998-2175 or email her at juliebeaumont@videotron.ca.