Another event from The Canterbaby Club – where parenting meets community (and occasionally, coordinated movement)
Monday mornings. They arrive with the relentless predictability of a toddler’s tantrum at the worst possible moment. But what if, instead of drowning that Monday morning feeling in your third coffee by 9am, you could sweat it out while your little ones play happily nearby?
We’re about to find out if this brilliant (or slightly bonkers) idea actually works, and we need 20 brave mums to help us figure it out.
Read more: The Canterbaby Club: Where Parenting Meets Playdates (and Coffee)
Here’s What We’re Cooking Up
Picture this: You walk into a gorgeous studio on a Monday morning, water bottle in one hand, slightly feral toddler in the other. For the next hour, you get to move your body, connect with other mums who truly get it, and watch your kids play without having to referee every five seconds. Too good to be true? We’re about to find out.
Where: Studio 1, Evolve Studios, 98 Carlyle Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
When: Monday, June 16th, 9:30-10:30am
How much: $25 (no additional costs for kiddos)
Capacity: 20 mums (and their tiny sidekicks)
The Monday Magic Formula
We’ve partnered with the wonderful humans at Messy Mates to create something that’s equal parts fitness class and sanity-saver. Here’s how we’re planning to make Monday mornings something you might actually look forward to:
30 minutes of movement – no equipment needed – led by a qualified personal trainer (who also happens to be the brains behind Messy Mates and totally gets that some days your biggest achievement is getting dressed). This isn’t about perfect form or keeping up – it’s about moving your body in whatever way feels good that day.
30 minutes of connection where you can grab a coffee, let the kids burn off energy, and chat with other mums who understand why you’re wearing yesterday’s shirt and why that’s completely fine.
What Your Kids Get Up To
While you’re working up a sweat, your little ones will be living their best life with:
- Messy play trays (because mess builds character, right?)
- Colouring station for the budding artists
- Baby playpen stocked with toys from our amazing sponsor Big Dreams Club
- Edwards & Co changing mats for those inevitable mid-session nappy situations
- SnuzBaskit is available for any babies who decide it’s nap time (we can dream, can’t we?)
The beauty? Toddlers can join in the exercise if they’re feeling it, or completely ignore you while they create masterpieces. We support both approaches.
The Monday Mindset
Let’s be real – Mondays can feel like climbing Everest in flip-flops. But here’s the thing about starting your week with movement and connection: it sets the tone for everything that follows. When you’ve already conquered a Monday morning workout (even if “conquering” means showing up and doing your best), the rest of the week somehow feels more manageable.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about having matching workout gear or remembering to wash your hair. It’s about showing up as you are – tired, caffeinated, possibly with Weetbix in your hair – and giving yourself an hour that’s just for you (and your fellow mama friends).
What to Bring
Keep it simple:
- An exercise mat (PSA: Kmart sell them from $6)
- Water bottle (hydration is key, especially when chasing small humans)
- Sweat towel (because we’re hoping you’ll work up a good sweat)
- Your beautiful, imperfect self
The Fine Print (Because Lawyers Make Us)
Disclaimer: These exercises aren’t specifically designed for postpartum recovery, so please chat with your doctor if you have any concerns. You’ll still be the boss of your own children during the session – we’re here to help things run smoothly, but we’re not taking responsibility for little people (we’ve got our hands full with the big people!).
Will This Become a Thing?
That’s entirely up to you lovely humans. If this trial goes well and you’re all as obsessed with Monday morning movement as we hope you’ll be, we’ll make it a weekly series running in term-long blocks. Imagine having something to look forward to every Monday morning – revolutionary, right?
The best bit? If you attend this trial session, you’ll get priority booking when (hopefully when, not if!) we launch the regular series. While the ongoing classes will be drop-in style, you’ll get first dibs on booking ahead – because early birds deserve the worm, especially when the worm is a guaranteed spot in your new favourite Monday ritual.
What’s Next If This Takes Off?
We’re dreaming big here. If Monday morning fitness becomes your new obsession, we’re planning to invite speakers and experts from the postpartum health space to pop in for quick chats and Q&As. Think real talk about recovery, movement, mental health – the stuff that actually matters when you’re navigating life with little humans.
We’re also hoping to collaborate with some incredible fitness and maternity fitness brands moving forward. Because if we’re going to sweat together every Monday, we might as well do it with the best gear and knowledge available, right?
Ready to Be Our Guinea Pigs?
We’re genuinely excited (and slightly nervous) about this experiment. Most fitness classes welcome non-moving, sleepy babies in capsules – but wildlings? Not so much. We’re breaking the mould here, creating a space where your toddler can be fully toddler while you get your sweat on. There’s something magical about moving your body while your kids play nearby, connecting with other mums who get it, and starting your week feeling like you’ve already won.
Will everything go perfectly? Probably not. Will there be tears (from kids and possibly adults)? Quite possibly. But will you leave feeling better than when you arrived? We’re betting on it.
Ready to help us figure out if Monday morning fitness is the game-changer we think it could be?
Tickets and booking details coming soon – keep your eyes peeled!
