Moving Mothers 2025

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We have been awarded funding from the Sanctuary Housing to provide Moving Mothers group exercise sessions.

This programme is open to mothers aged 18 and over from diverse ethnic background living, working, and studying in Tower Hamlets. Sessions will improve fitness and activity levels in weekly in-person group exercise class, led by YMCA qualified fitness instructor.

These fitness sessions are FREE to attend but spaces are limited and mothers with babies & toddlers will be prioritised.  All interested participants MUST complete our online registration 

Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) form (below) are required for enrolment and need to be emailed to us prior to participating. 

Day and Time: Monday | 10.30-11:30am
Address: Bow Cross Community Hub, Priestman Point, 2a Rainhill Way, Bow, E3 3EY
Cost: FREE

What to expect in our Moving Mothers sessions:

1. Mobility Stretches. To get your body and muscles activate we initiate our sessions with this.
2. 10-minute warmups. Each week, we will spend 10 minutes each session on those typical trouble spots, targeting long-forgotten core muscles and exploring the best upper body exercises.
3. Boxercise. Each week we will try to embed some elements of boxercise into our sessions.
4. Focus on flexibility. Dedicating a small amount of time every day to stretching can help prevent aches and pains, as well as enabling you to relax. At every session we’ll explore the best stretches for you, and how to do them at home.
5. Baby & Toddler.  You will be amazed by how your child bonds and mirrors you moving. (pun intended). It's hem at home.

Meet our YMCA Qualified instructor Hafsah: 

“It’s brilliant for women and mothers who have not engaged in exercise or sport activities to have the opportunity to come together in this fun community exercise class.   Motivating yourself to maintain a good level of fitness can be challenging with work and family commitments, so meeting weekly with other women who share similar goals, and experience similar barriers to achieving those goals, is motivating, and reassuring.  In these sessions, we always enjoy a good workout, as well as covering topics like weight management, exercising after having a baby and staying active when you’re busy.”

What our participants are saying:

The sessions have been a success already.

• Perri Ann, a regular Moving Mothers participant said “I love attending these session with my child. We try out new exercises and use equipment that I've never known how to use before"
• Liyana, “I like all the clear instructions. It made the class easy to follow.”
• Katy, “The level of attention and supervision makes it feel more like a one-to-one rather than a group class!”
• Bianca, "The class encourages me to get out and move my body, and helps to lift my mood."
• Amina, "The class is helping me improve the structure in daily life, and it's improving my health, fitness and wellbeing."

What to wear

We recommend you wear clothing you are comfortable in that allows you to move freely, such as leggings, joggers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Jeans and skirts are not suitable.  Please wear supportive trainers.

You do not need to bring any special equipment, but we recommend bringing a bottle of water and a sweat towel and some wipes.