Moving Mothers 2025

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We are excited to announce that we have received funding from Sanctuary Housing to offer a community exercise program for mothers, featuring Moving Mothers group exercise sessions. 

This program is available to mothers aged 18 and over from diverse ethnic backgrounds who live, work, or study in Tower Hamlets. Our sessions aim to enhance fitness and activity levels through weekly in-person group exercise classes, led by a YMCA qualified fitness instructor. 

These free fitness classes are open to all mothers, but spaces are limited, and priority will be given to those with babies and toddlers. To participate, all interested mothers MUST complete our online registration. 

To enroll, participants are required to fill out a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) form (provided below) and email it to us before attending. 

Day and Time: Monday | 10:30-11:30 am  

Address: Bow Cross Community Hub, Priestman Point, 2a Rainhill Way, Bow, E3 3EY  

Cost: FREE  

What to expect in our Moving Mothers sessions:

- Mobility Stretches: We initiate our sessions with stretches that activate your body and muscles.  

- 10-Minute Warmups: Each week, we’ll spend 10 minutes focusing on common trouble spots, targeting underused core muscles and incorporating effective upper body exercises.  

- Boxercise: Each session will include elements of boxercise to keep things engaging.  

- Focus on Flexibility: Dedicating time to stretching daily can prevent aches and pains and promote relaxation. We’ll explore effective stretches in each session that you can also practice at home.  

- Baby & Toddler Interaction: You’ll be amazed at how your child bonds and mirrors your movements during these exercises. 

Meet our YMCA qualified instructor, Hafsah:  

“It’s fantastic for women and mothers who haven’t previously engaged in exercise or sports activities to gather in this community exercise class. Staying motivated to maintain fitness amidst work and family commitments can be tough, but weekly meetings with other mothers facing similar challenges can provide encouragement and reassurance. In our sessions, we always enjoy a thorough workout, while also discussing topics like weight management, exercising after childbirth, and staying active when life gets busy.”  

What our participants are saying:

The sessions have already proven to be a success.  

Perri Ann, a regular Moving Mothers participant, said, “I love attending these sessions with my child. We try new exercises and use equipment I’ve never known how to use before.”  

Liyana commented, “I appreciate all the clear instructions, which make the class easy to follow.”  

Katy shared, “The level of attention and supervision makes it feel more like a one-to-one session than a group class!”  

Bianca remarked, “The class encourages me to get out and move my body, which really lifts my mood.”  

Amina added, “The class is helping me create more structure in my daily life, improving my health, fitness, and overall wellbeing.”  

What to wear:

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that allows for free movement, such as leggings, joggers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Jeans and skirts are not suitable. Supportive trainers are essential.  

You don’t need to bring any special equipment, but we suggest bringing a bottle of water, a sweat towel, and some wipes.