What to Expect: Move It!

Signing up for a new class can be intimidating - not knowing what to expect, whether it's right for you and whether you'll enjoy it can be off-putting. To reassure my lovely clients that they're choosing something beneficial for their current fitness level, bank balance and lifestyle, I'm breaking down how the classes and courses are going to work so everyone can book with confidence.

Do you like to Move it, Move it?

As parents, we are always running around taking our children to their clubs, sports and endless birthday parties! Organising their social lives requires a full time PA, chauffeur and lottery win to keep in order. Meanwhile, parents and carers are left scraping the crumbs of time and energy to ever achieve anything for themselves. Our wellbeing is our lowest priority and fitness takes a back seat. I've tried it all - running to the gym in my work lunch break, exercising at home with YouTube or abandoning a sleep-resistant toddler to get to evening classes. Nothing sticks and I end up even more frazzled and feeling guilty for not being present for my kids.

Move It! has been created as a class that is made for parents but fun for children, taking place in the awkward time between school and dinner so you can rest once the kids are in bed - your workout is done and you were able to share it with them!

How will it work?

As I write this (with a toddler asleep in my armpit) the honest answer is that I don't exactly know how it will work for the simple reason of: I've never done it before. In fact, I haven't seen anything similar on the market which is why I'm so keen to make it work and let parents have their time.

The class will run for 45 minutes in a low-pressure, low lit room with a fun disco light and I will run choreographed mixed-level (pick your own adventure!) cardio dance routines to cheesy, kid friendly music - think Trolls, Sing! and of course, Madagascar soundtracks with some pop and catchy retro tunes mixed in.

In the centre of the room will be 'kids island', an area of mats where kids age 4-11 can either join in with the routines or have a bop while their parents stay in 'the sea' around island getting their workout in while staying close to their kids. If your child doesn't feel like being in a crowd or wants to stay close to their parent I will also have 'private islands' available where they can still join in or rest and watch the class. If parents would like to bring siblings under 4, I will offer 'family islands' for the parent and younger children to dance on. The islands have 2 rules:

1. All residents of kids island must be kind to other residents of kids island

2. Outside of an emergency, kids must stay on their island while the music is playing. There will be opportunities to switch islands during the class. Think 'the floor is lava' except the adults are dancing in the lava.

The class will follow a dance cardio curve for the first 30 minutes - somewhere between 80s aerobics and Zumba, carefully planned routines that provide a full body workout but can be followed by kids. After a cool down, I'll hand the reins to the kids and they'll get a chance to suggest their favourite moves which I will turn into a routine for the adults to follow. Then we get to share a small part of our 'youth culture' with the next generation - think Macarena, Saturday Night or 5,6,7,8 before a full stretch and you leave full of endorphins with a happy and slightly tired out child.

The benefits are endless, as well as parents getting a chance to prioritise themselves and create a sustainable fitness routine (without the kids noticing, if we're lucky!) you'll also be modelling and sharing a healthy lifestyle which your children can continue into adulthood.

Interested? Classes are currently at 4.30pm on Mondays in Highfield Church Centre, more classes will be scheduled according to demand.

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Interested but not available on Mondays or in Highfield? Register interest below and I'll be in touch.

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