Moms feel the burn — and a sense of community — while their babies are looked after

These moms aren’t just building muscle at this gym. They’re building community too.

With a specific focus on rebuilding strength postpartum and creating support networks that go beyond the gym’s walls, new moms say these classes at Islander Athletics in St. John’s are making a difference in their return to exercise.

The parent and baby class, called Mom Club, allows parents to participate in a workout designed with new mothers in mind — while volunteers known as “baby wranglers” take care of the kids. 

Gym owner Kent Nash says it’s the crossfit gym’s fastest-growing class. After starting in fall 2024, they’ve grown from three classes per week up to eight.

The classes run in partnership with another local business, Vitality Wellness.

WATCH | ‘It really feels like the village that you need postpartum’ :

These postpartum workout classes come fit with ‘baby wranglers’

Islander Athletics’s fastest growing class is Mom Club, which allows parents to work out while their babies are in safe hands. As the CBC’s Madison Taylor reports, participants say they’re building community along with fitness.

Ashley Fraser is a pregnancy and postpartum athleticism coach at Islander Athletics. She designs workouts specifically with the postpartum journey in mind. 

“Really, we’re looking to rebuild or help support moms through that postpartum period by rebuilding the core pelvic floor, and really just the whole kinetic chain,” Fraser said. 

“Everything is modifiable, scalable, tailored to the stage that that individual is at in their kind of rebuild postpartum,” she said. 

First-time mom and attendee Kathryn Baker says focusing on physical and mental health postpartum can be tough at first. But these classes have made a difference for her. 

“Exercise is a big part of my life and always has been. And now I can do it with my baby right here,” Baker said.

“I don’t know many other places where we can bring our babies with us, and have them taken care of all at the one time,” she said. 

‘You’re not alone’

As well as the physical benefits of the classes, Fraser says there’s a mental health aspect to them too. 

She launched the classes shortly after returning to work after her own maternity leave. 

“The really unique thing about this group is it really feels like the village that you need postpartum,” Fraser said. 

This feeling of community within the classes is valued by mom Caity Brawn. Brawn was attending what she says is probably her last class now that she’s back at work. 

Brawn says she doesn’t have other friends in St. John’s who are moms. But she’s found a community here. 

“It just makes you feel like you’re not alone and … you’ve got a community of people who are going through a similar life stage as you,” Brawn said. “That’s really comforting.”

Baby wranglers to the rescue

For Brawn, knowing her son is in safe hands allows her to focus fully on her workout. 

“I’ve been to some other workout classes where I’ve been more responsible for watching him while working out and that’s just a bit distracting,” Brawn said. 

Those volunteers — or baby wranglers — are what makes this program possible. 

Fraser says most of the volunteers are made up of first responders, grandparents or students. 

Kori Williams is a volunteer. As a mom herself, she knows how much this hour of fitness means for the participants.  

“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,” Williams said. 

Fraser, the coach, has high hopes for the future of the program. 

“My goal is just … that every woman feels empowered in that postpartum period,” Fraser said. 

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