Sassy Mama Tests: Mountain Buggy Fitness

As a busy Mum of 3 including 1.5 year old twins, I have always been a fan of Mountain Buggy as a practical solution to carting my little ones around no matter where I am heading. Mountain Buggy are famous for their double strollers catering to multiples. I chose the duet which offers side by side seating and is super light, easy to maneuver and gets through a standard door frame (yup, there are some buggy’s that don’t!).

So I was very intrigued and very happy to see that Mountain Buggy has brought its famous fitness classes from New Zealand to Dubai. I decided to give it a go and sample a “Mountain Buggy Fitness” class at the Palm park with their resident Personal Trainer Olivia Johnson.

Having not run or worked out for a while I felt a bit apprehensive when turning up at the class but I needn’t have worried, Olivia was so friendly and welcoming and I soon got chatting to other mums there.  The twins were enjoying being outside and loved checking out the other kids in their strollers.  If they could talk, I’m sure it would have been a total “Look Who’s Talking” movie moment!

The class started off with a gentle warm up, some light jogging then some stretching and then into the sweaty work! Olivia had us completing a combination of different exercises, which she demonstrated and did alongside us. I found myself enjoying the class, despite having to work harder than I have in ages!

Squats, lunging pushing the buggy along a path, and performing press ups on the bench was the first section, then we jogged over to the steps for some “step ups” and more arm exercises

We then found a patch of grass for some “core strengthening”. As the class is especially for post natal mums, Olivia has alternative exercises to the traditional sit ups. These are especially for tightening up the mummy tummy, which we know loses some tone after pregnancy.

I enjoyed the fact that we were outside and being in the park, as opposed to being blasted by air conditioning and being in a group with other women with babies (or in my case – my double trouble twosome) was so much fun and a real social activity. Despite being a bit apprehensive about joining the class, I really enjoyed it as Olivia provided exercises targeted specifically to my body and fitness goals.

I am going to use Olivia on a weekly basis for my training, as I intend to run the 5k Dubai Women’s Run and the Standard Chartered run with my Mountain Buggy and gather other mums in aid of my charity The ZB Foundation. Watch this space mamas – or join me!

About Olivia Johnson
Olivia Johnson is a qualified REPS level 3 Personal Trainer, specializing in Pre and Post natal.  She encourages women to become active again, watching them increase muscle tone, lose weight, increase in confidence and build lasting friendships.

About Mountain Buggy
The Mountain Buggy legacy began in 1992, with a father’s need to create a buggy with all terrain agility, to enable him to enjoy the New Zealand mountain trails with his baby. So with precision engineering he crafted the foundations of Mountain Buggy’s legendary platform. The design and technology of their platform has evolved over the years to a deliberate design aesthetic

Price:
AED 300 for 6 classes and receive a FREE Mountain Buggy Water Bottle
AED 500 for 12 classes and receive a FREE Mountain Buggy Pram Hang Bag filled with goodies

Location and Timings (starting from October 2014 the timings will be):
Every Saturday @ 8.00am at Jumeriah Beach new running track (Kite Beach)
Every Monday @ 8.30 am Dubai Marina – Beach front outside Marina Mall
Every Wednesday @ 8.30 am Palm Park under the mono rail meet at the main car park
Every Thursday @ 8.45am – Al Furjan villas park

www.mountainbuggy.com/me
www.facebook.com/mountainbuggyfitnessME/info