Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Exercise Programs » Fitness classes that help new moms get back in shape – The Journal News | LoHud.com

VIDEOS: GETTING BACK IN SHAPE POST-BABYVideo: Getting into shape after giving birth | 2:33

Personal Trainer Eva Eckert talks about how to stay fit at her gym Peak Physique Personal Training in Nanuet March 30, 2017. Carucha L. Meuse/lohud

1 of 2

Riverstone's Mommy and Me yoga class helps women with their newborns get back into shape again. Ricky Flores/lohud

2 of 2

Elizabeth Harold of Tarrytown with her son 6-week-old son William stretch with other students at the Mommy and Me Yoga class at the Riverstone in Tarrytown on Mar. 30, 2017. (Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)Buy Photo

Getting fit and staying fit and healthy both pre- and post-baby area challenge for many women, especially when it comes to getting back intoa physical routine after giving birth.

Moms who want to get in shape post-baby face a slew of different challenges, including fatigue, body image concerns and emotional stress.

The rules about how soon and how much you should exercise are different for every woman, but most doctors and midwives encourage moms-to-be to keep up an exercise plan throughout pregnancy and beyond. For many new moms, exercise classes and any fitness regime can start roughly 6 to 8 weeks after birth, depending on whether it was a vaginal or cesarean section birth.

KEGELS AND KETTLEBELLS:Moms-to-be who work out

WORK IT OUT:Keeping moms-to-be in the gym

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE:Doctors orders on pregnancy workouts

Here are some local options for Lower Hudson Valleynew moms stepping out six weeks or six months after the birth of their child.

The modest gym at Nanuet's Peak Physique Training Center looks like something you might expect if you werelearning to box professionally or trying any other strenuous physical activity. But during the week, its filled with moms and their babies trying to get in shape post-baby.

The evolution happened naturally, saysEvaEckert, co-owner of Peak Physique Training Center, who notes that Peak is a family gym. She owns the facility with her husband Steve and knows what its like tonavigate new motherhood while trying to get fit with a new baby.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Ive had two c-sections so Im a perfect example of someone who understands the body and knows how to recover, she says.

Our mission is to reach as many people to stay healthy and avoid surgery, says Eckert. The programs here include kickboxing, boxing andboot camp. Eckert puts the gum's slogan, "no excuses," which is postedall around the gym, into practice for her clients. Workouts should not be easy," she says. "We check with you every step of the way, plus teach you what to eat.

That said, Eckert notesthey make modifications for moms who are working up to certain exercise goalsand the intensity can be adjusted even in group sessions. There are so many levels of help here, she says.

Owner Eva Eckert is photographed at her gym Peak Physique Personal Training in Nanuet March 30, 2017. (Photo: Carucha L. Meuse/The Journal New)

Yehudis Teitelbaum of Nanuetbrings her 8 pound son Mendy to the gym and says she has lost weight since starting here in September.

"I gained a lot of weight after I got married; happy weight, she says. I lost 50 pounds since Ive been working out and I have my stepdaughters wedding in June so I am hoping to lose 15 more, she adds.

Teitelbaum has seen an improvement in her health and energy level since she started under the guidance of the team.

I was given the clearance to work out six weeks after (the baby)but I felt weak and tired at first, says Teitelbaum. She took advantage of the help offered and encourages other moms to get moving sooner rather than later.I think its important to go right away because people get comfortable in their mommy body, and their mommy clothes, in their mommy pants, she says.

"Its not a gym but a culture," says Eckert. She encourages women to make the effort for the positive physical and mental payoff of regular exercise.

We underestimate ourselves when we say I cant do this, its too hard; come in because we show you motivation, saysEckert.

GO:PeakPhysique Training Center, 233 West Route 59, Nanuet.845-893-6529,http://www.peakphysiqueny.com/

At Crossfit Momentum, Stephanie Vaughan's goal is getting moms healthy pre- and post-baby.

If they were members through pregnancy, we start them back into the regular classes and scale movements as necessary" after delivery, she says.We have new members come in for a pre-screening with one of our coaches; some may stick with personal training or our non-barbell class, Velocity.

Vaughan says both pregnant and new moms should expect modified movements for their workouts, with gentle moves to protecttheabdominal wall and pelvic floor while they are healing.

The Rockland gym offers a range of programs including Velocity, a high intensity workout, and Crossfit, moving between high and low intensity. Vaughan says new moms have to remember to take the time to heal and build strength post-birth.

Women are strong and need to be strong through the birthing process," she says. "But this is also not the time to be competitive with the others in the class. This is a time to stay fit and maintain."

GO:Crossfit Momentum, 256 Main St., Nyack. 845-348-1110,http://www.crossfitmomentum.com/

Tina Tiongson of Tarrytown with daughter M.A.Z.zy (cq) at the Mommy and Me Yoga class at the Riverstone in Tarrytown on Mar. 30, 2017. (Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)

Riverstone Yoga in Tarrytown is more about community then strenuous activity. Step into the tranquil space andthere isa circle of new moms on yoga mats and tiny babies situated in front of them on cozy pillows ready for class.

"We really pride ourselves on being a learning center for deeper learning for yoga and yourself," says owner Patricia Fischer-Donohue. The center offers a pre-birth class calledMoms 2 B; and about 80 percent of new moms continue on to the mommy and baby class.

"As long as the doctor says its okay, we want you here because the more you move the better you feel," she says.

The community of moms and babies serves as a support group for participants with babies ranging from six weeks to eight months at this Thursday morning class. And even though little ones are welcome, the focus is on the caregiver.

"Its really about the mom its not about the baby. So the baby is there and the baby is going to cry and sometimes this place has the volume thats through the roof, but its great because nobody cares and the moms are in it together. Which is really, really important."

New mom Tina Tiongson relishes her weekly class where sheand her 8-month-old daughter feel welcome.

Sarah Laccrrubba of Bronxville with her 8-week-old son Dean at the Mommy and Me Yoga class at the Riverstone in Tarrytown on Mar. 30, 2017. (Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)

"It's a really great opportunity to get out of the house with your baby; there are very few places you can be comfortable bringing your baby, all your stuff and take care of your baby and be around other people." She started prenatal yoga in Astoria, Queens before moving to Tarrytown; she is a yoga newbie and plans to continue.

"I started at eight weeks because that was my first opportunity for support at eight weeks, and I went religiously."

"Its very different than a regular yoga class; we are very mindful of the changes that have happened in the body," says yoga instructorTori Cronk.

Trying to create a body-positive environment, Cronk encourages new moms by teaching properbreathing techniques and being in the moment.

"We take real care in moving and breathing in a very specific way so the body can start to re-acclimate and the moms can connect with their evolving body and we incorporate the babies in the practice as well."

It's an environment where new moms are welcome to care for the baby, whether it be feeding, changing or cuddling, without leaving the space.

"Nobody gets upset if the babies cry and sometimes we do a lot of yoga and sometime we do a little bit of yoga," says Cronk. "We really go with the flow; there's no set format because babies are unpredictable."

GO:Riverstone Yoga, 2 Hudson View Way, Tarrytown. 914-332-9642,http://www.riverstoneyoga.com/

For moms who want to mix interval training with stroller movements Fit4Mom is an option. After trying Fit4Mom, Kristen Riolo, a mom of three, decided to open her own franchise. The Northern Westchester center has been open for over12 years.

"I saw it on the Today show, did the training in Atlanta and decided this was what I wanted to do," she says."It is tremendously fulfilling. I have my kids nearbyand I'mable to contribute financiallyto my family."

A 60-minuteinterval training class incorporates strength training using arm bands,cardio, body toning intervals, with theletter of the week song to keep the babies entertained. Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes are open to new moms who want a complete workout incorporating the stroller. "We take moms as soon as four to sixweeks postpartum; and take kids as long as they enjoy a ride in the stroller up to fouryears old," saysRiolo.

The class takes place indoors atThe Westchester shopping center in White Plains and St. Theresa's Catholic School in Briarcliff Manor plusoutdoors at Kensico Dam.

"We stopfour or five times during the class to do cardiovascular exercise and well as strength training to get a total body workout," Riolo says.

Startedin San Diego, California, the exercise program geared for moms uses indoor and outdoor locations where moms and babies meet regularly to exercise with their babies and bond with their local communities.

"All of our programs are about providing women strength in motherhood. It can be a difficult and tiring job," saysRiolo.

Once a week, there is a play group for moms and their babies plus regularinformational sessions for the new parents. "It is themed; we bring in experts from time to time to talk about sleep training, apediatric dentist, and a relationship expert discussing how your relationship with your partner might change post-baby," Riolo says.

A certified personal trainer in both pre- and post-natal exercise, Riolo says it's fulfilling working to get local moms fit."Meeting tremendous women and being able to help other moms to reach their fitness levels has been inspiring," she says.

Her moms stay with the class from three months to six years.

"They get a phenomenal total body workout and get to connect with other moms and their baby. They get to take care of themselves and have a total workout that morning."

GO:Fit4Mom, Kristen Riolo,914-977-3038, kriolo@fit4mom.comhttp://westchester.fit4mom.com/

Twitter:@krhudsonvalley

Read or Share this story: http://lohud.us/2onsk0V

Read more:
Fitness classes that help new moms get back in shape - The Journal News | LoHud.com

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Exercise Programs » Fitness classes that help new moms get back in shape – The Journal News | LoHud.com