1. Mums On The Run
Where: Mushrif Park, off the Khawaneej Road, Dubai
What's it all about?
An outdoor jogging and exercise session that kicks off with a buggy-pushing walk around the park to warm up. You then step it up with a run or light jog along the park's dedicated running track, again with your child, before a legs, bums and tums toning workout and stretch and recovery session to finish. Younger children can join in with specially tailored exercises such as star jumps and older children who want to power walk beside their mothers are welcome too.
Why you and your child will love it
Not only are you exercising in the fresh air, but you are also toning up with your child by your side. There's also an optional bring-your-own picnic after the class so that you can socialise with other mothers who have children of a similar age and share tips on how to cope with the demands of parenthood.
Tried and tested
Caroline Alexander, 35, attends the class with her children Leila, 7, Otis, 5, and Astrid, 16 months. She says, "What I really love is being able to exercise and still have my baby with me. She's getting fresh air too and I'm setting her a good example that being fit is enjoyable. Louise's programme is a great balance of doing something healthy for me and socialising. Louise is an amazing role model because she's a busy mum. I cope so much better with the demands of the day if I've been active. It's such a good incentive to go, knowing you'll feel better and have a chance for a good chat."
The details
Held every Sunday and Tuesday morning, the classes cost Dh35 a session plus entry to the park, which is Dh5 on foot or Dh10 in a car. For more information contact Louise Cairns on 050-3567650 or email louisecairns@googlemail.com
2. Zumba Mumba
Where: Angsana Spa, Dubai Marina
What's it all about?
Feel the rhythm in this hour-long class that will see you experimenting with hip hop, salsa, belly dancing and merengue - all great for toning your core. With 30-minutes of intensive cardio followed by body conditioning you will lose inches off your belly in no time and your little one will love joining in beside you.
Why you and your child will love it
The class has a party atmosphere and both mothers and babies get to join in with easy-to-follow, calorie burning moves. And if your child isn't ready for a dance session, they can crawl around on a padded floor or be held in your arms while you get into the groove.
Tried and tested
Briton Claire Evans, 33, attends with her four-year-old son Peter and 20-month-old daughter, Sophie. She says, "Where else can you have so much fun and take the little ones along? You get a fabulous workout to great music without even realising it; it's the most fun I have ever had exercising!"
The Details
Classes run every Tuesday at 10am, cost Dh50 and finish with a coffee afterwards. For more information log onto www.purefitnessuae.com or call Tracy Marks 050-8412255
3. Moms & Tots Ice Skating
Where: Dubai Ice Rink
What's it all about?
Learn to skate with your toddler under the watchful eye of a training skating coach at Dubai Ice Rink's first session of the day. As long as your child can walk and is less than 100cm tall they can join you on the ice. The session costs Dh50 for both mother and child, including skate hire.
Why you and your child will love it
Skating is a great aerobic exercise because it improves muscle tone, posture and balance and is considered a low-impact exercise so it's easy on the joints. It's also a great way to bond with your toddler because there's the novelty factor of being on the ice and the guarantee of plenty of laughs if you fall over.
Tried and tested
Denis Dolmatov, 37, from Russia, has been taking his daughter, Vera, 3, skating every week for over a year. He says, "It's a great workout for the body and a boost for the soul. We started going when Vera was two and she loves it not only because she can now skate but because she gets to dress up in a hat, gloves and scarf for the cold."
The details
The Dh50 session runs from 10am to noon daily. For more information call 04-4485111 or log onto www.dubaiicerink.com
4. Mums & Tots Dance Academy
Where: Core Direction, Dubai Marina, Green Community and Motor City
What's it all about?
Geared towards toddlers from the age of 18 months to three years, the class teaches rhythm and timing through dance and helps increase motor skills and cognitive development through the use of ribbons, hula hoops, parachutes and silk fabric. And everything the child does, the mother does too so it's a good workout for the parents too.
Why you and your child will love it
With themes such as salsa and ballet, it's an early introduction to dance for your child who will feel safe because their parent is doing it alongside them. For the mothers, it's a chance to watch their children experimenting with rhythm and gaining confidence without the stress of forcing them to take part on their own.
Tried and tested
Sophie Walsh, 44, from France attends with daughter Amelia, 2. "Amelia loves going. The varied routines using props such as bells, pompoms and ribbons are a fun way to develop her coordination skills."
Details
Pay Dh450 for ten sessions. Log onto www.coredirection.com or call Michelle Ribbens on 055-7714526
5. Baby Yoga
Where: Zen Yoga's Jumeirah Town Centre branch and Media City branch
What's it all about?
Designed for babies up to six months, the session includes stretching and breathing for mothers to help you control your pelvic floor muscles as well as sequences for your baby such as opening the hips, movement to song and baby massage. Mothers also learn how to pick up and handle their baby and feel the benefits of a deep relaxation session at the end - perfect for easing tension.
Why you and your child will love it
Apart from being the ultimate bonding experience because it gives you the chance to focus 100 per cent on your baby away from the stresses and demands of everyday life, it is also a great source of sensory stimulation for the baby, enhancing their coordination skills and brain development.
Tried and tested
Briton Jo Potter, 32, attends with her nine-week-old daughter, Isobel. She says, "As a first-time mum I don't know much about babies and this class teaches me things like baby massage which eases wind and digestion and how to soothe your baby. It's also nice to do stretches that are good for tense shoulders and backs - something that comes with breastfeeding."
Details
The classes are suitable for babies from newborn to six months or until they are crawling, and cost Dh75. Classes at Zen Yoga's Jumeirah Town Centre branch on Mondays and the Media City branch on Wednesday. For more information visit www.yoga.aeor call 04-3670435.
6. Shape Up 4 U
Where: Angsana Spa,Dubai Marina
What it's all about
An eight-week ‘Weigh, Measure and Exercise' programme that sets you on the road to a slimmer, fitter physique with the bonus that baby comes too. Focusing on a different exercise discipline every week ranging from total body conditioning to aero combat, circuits and aerobics - all workouts are designed to shape your body and keep you motivated while baby plays safely.
Why you and your child will love it
With cutting-edge nutritional information, scientific statistics and measurements, up-to-the minute exercise and babyminders on hand, this is the ultimate way to lose weight. While there are toys, colouring stations and plenty of play space to keep your tots busy, the class instructors also expect them to shout, sleep or cry, so you can relax.
Tried and tested
American Beth Welham, 29, attends with her daughters Abigail, two and Natalie, 13 months. "I have lost a lot of weight and I can now fit into everything in my closet, even my skinny jeans!"
The Details
Classes are held every Wednesday at 10am and cost Dh50. For more information log onto www.purefitnessuae.com or call Elaine Luck on 055-8119120
7. BuggEfit
Where: Outdoor classes are held at Safa Park, Al Barsha Park, Jumeirah Beach Residences and The Lakes and indoor sessions at The Lakes Club and The Meadows.
What's it all about
During BuggEfit classes, mothers use their little one in the buggy as a resistance tool to help them tone up. The outdoor sessions kick off with a gentle warm-up followed by running, either with or without the buggy depending on whether your child is happy to stay with the class instructor, and conditioning exercises.
Buggs Indoors incorporates all the challenges of outside, but with the added advantage of air-conditioning as well as toys and balls for your child to play with in a confined area. For those who want to take it up a notch, BuggEfit Bootcamp offers a more intensive circuit style workout.
Why you and your baby will love it
All the classes help mums get back in shape and make friends without the headache of organising childcare as you can take a child of any age along with you.
And all the instructors are not only mums themselves but qualified post-natal fitness professionals as well.
Tried and tested
Amanda Parks who is from Ireland attends BuggEfit with her daughters Ava, two, and Isabel, six months. She says, "The classes are agreat way to start down the road to physical fitness and you get to bring kiddies along so no excuses. It's also a great way to meet other mums who all have the same goal, ‘Lose that baby weight and get back in shape'."
The details
There's a class every day of the working week and they all cost Dh50. For more information log onto www.purefitnessuae.com or call Catherine Williams on050-6594376. A
Do It Yourself
Where: In the garden, at the park, on the beach
What's It All About?
Playing football, basketball or games in the garden that involve running encourage youngsters and their parents to burn off energy and enjoy some quality family time together. For the more adventurous, jogging while you push a baby buggy around the park or cycling with a child strapped into a baby seat gets mother and child out of the house and into the fresh air.
Why you and your child will love it
Exercise in the form of playing is exhilarating, exhausting and probably one of the easiest forms of fitness. Children are always happy to play games and young children who believe their parents are the centre of their world will be over the moon if their mother or father joins in. And by exercising with your children you teach them it is an important and fundamental part of life.
Tried and Tested
Briton Louise Baxter, 36, mother of four-year-old daughter Katharine and 22-month-old son Jeffrey, says. "While I haven't got time to attend a dedicated exercise class myself, I like nothing better than charging after a ball with my children in the garden or the park. We also play catch or do races together and I'm not just doing it for their benefit; it's for mine too."
Details
Aim for large open spaces where you can run around and shout to your heart's content.
