Mothers feel a sense of belonging – and a sense of community – while their babies are cared for.
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These moms aren’t just building muscles in this gym. They’re also building community.
With a special focus on rebuilding postpartum strength and building support networks that go beyond the walls of the gym, new moms say these classes at Islander Athletics in St. John’s are making a difference in their return to exercise.
The parenting and baby class, called Mom Club, allows parents to participate in workouts designed with new moms in mind — while volunteers known as “Baby Wranglers” watch the babies.
Gym owner Kent Nash says this is the fastest growing class of CrossFit gyms. Starting in fall 2024, they have increased from three classes per week to eight.
The classes are run in partnership with another local business, Vitality Wellness.
The fastest growing section of Islander Athletics is the Mom Club, which allows parents to work out while keeping their children in safe hands. As CBC’s Madison Taylor reports, participants say they’re building community along with fitness.
Ashley Fraser is the Pregnancy and Postpartum Athletics Coach at Islander Athletics. She specifically designs workouts keeping the postpartum journey in mind.
“Really, we want to rebuild or assist moms during that postpartum period by rebuilding the core pelvic floor and really the entire kinetic chain,” Fraser said.
“Everything is modifiable, scalable, tailored to the stage that person is in in their type of postpartum reconstruction,” he said.
First-time mom Katherine Baker says focusing on physical and mental health after delivery can be difficult at first. But these classes have brought a change for him.
“Exercise is a big part of my life and always has been. And now I can do it right here with my baby,” Baker said.
“I don’t know of many other places where we can bring our kids with us and have them cared for at the same time,” she said.
‘You are not alone’
Fraser says that along with the physical benefits of the classes, there’s also a mental health aspect to them.
She started classes soon after returning to work after her maternity leave.
“The really unique thing about this group is that it really feels like the village you need postpartum,” Fraser said.
This sense of community within the classrooms is valued by mother Katy Braun. Braun was attending, she says it’s probably her last class now that she’s back at work.
Braun says she doesn’t have any other friends in St. John’s who are mothers. But he’s found a community here.
“It makes you feel like you’re not alone and … you have a community of people who are going through the same life stage as you,” Braun said. “It’s really comfortable.”
Wrangler for Child Rescue
For Braun, knowing that his son is in safe hands allows him to focus completely on his workouts.
“I’ve been to some other workout classes where I’ve been more responsible to watch her while she’s working out and it’s a little distracting,” Braun said.
Those volunteers – or Baby Wranglers – are what make this program possible.
Fraser says most of the volunteers are made up of first responders, grandparents or students.
Corey Williams is a volunteer. As a mother, she knows how much this hour of fitness means to the participants.
Williams said, “I remember what it was like with my other kids and I didn’t have that support. And so it’s very important for them.”
Coach Fraser has high hopes for the future of the program.
“My goal is just … to make every woman feel empowered in the postpartum period,” Fraser said.
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