Why we don't believe in a "Pre-Baby body" and "Bouncing Back" after having a baby...
Discover how Buggy Bootcamp helps new mums rebuild strength and confidence in a safe, supportive way
We don’t use phrases like “Pre-Baby Body” ... and here’s why
You won’t hear us talk about “getting your pre-baby body back.” Because honestly? That body didn’t carry and birth a human.
That body didn’t survive broken sleep, sore nipples, or days when even a shower felt ambitious. That body wasn’t a mother.
At Buggy Bootcamp, we don’t insult you with “bounce back” rhetoric. We honour what your body’s been through and help you rebuild strength in a way that makes sense for this chapter.
It’s About Getting YOU Back
New Motherhood is a whirlwind. One day you’re killing it at work, smashing long sunday runs and enjoying spontaneous weekend adventures… the next, you’re Googling “is baby poop meant to be that colour?” and forgetting what day it is.
But you’re still in there. The strong, active woman who used to prioritise fitness? She’s not gone… she’s just waiting for space to move again.
That’s where we come in.
Exercise That Supports You, Not Pressures You
Motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also brutal. Between broken sleep, cluster feeds, and toddler tantrums, it’s easy to lose your sense of identity. At Buggy Bootcamp, we believe postnatal fitness is about reconnecting with your own sense of self during maternity leave and beyond.
Our outdoor, pram-friendly sessions are designed with postnatal recovery in mind:
No ego, no comparison, no pressure.
Rebuild core and pelvic floor strength safely.
Move your body, clear your mind, feel human again.
And yes, your baby is always welcome. Nap in the pram, play on the mat, or demand snacks from the sidelines—we’ve seen it all. Even come on your daycare days without bubs – totally fine too!
''Bounce Back"
You Need Support.
Because It’s Not Just Physical
Sleep-deprived? Overwhelmed? We get it. Movement is more than just physical, it’s a mental health tool.
A brisk outdoor session with other mums who get it can transform your entire day. Studies show that regular exercise boosts energy levels, lifts mood, and helps regulate sleep, even if you’re running on fumes.
Movement is our sanity-saver. Our anchor. Our “me-time” in a day that’s otherwise all about everyone else.
You won’t regret working out with Buggy Bootcamp. We’ll be your sanity-saver in a sea of sleep depreivation!
What Will You Gain From A Buggy Bootcamp Membership??
Strength to lift your baby (and the car seat… and the nappy bag)
Community and connection with other like-minded mums
A moment for yourself in the chaos of motherhood
Pregnancy Massage – Busting the Myths. Massage is such a wonderfully supportive therapy. It is a treatment that has truly evolved away from being an occasional luxury. It is commonplace now that Massage is a necessity for many in their sports recovery as well as their stress management. The same stands true for pregnancy Massage….
MumSafe™️ , founded by Jen Dugard, is the go-to place online for women to find mum-focused fitness services that are post-natal accredited, experienced and partnered with women’s health physios so you know you are in very safe hands.
Behind the scenes, the MumSafe™️ team is on a mission to change the way that women are looked after across the fitness industry once they become a Mother – we want to raise awareness of the importance of a post-natal check with a women’s health physio and ensure that all Mums are safely and effectively looked after when they return to exercise after having a baby. I am proud that I can call myself a MumSafe™️ Membership team member and here at Buggy Bootcamp you already know that we align with this mission!
As affiliates, we also choose collaboration over competition. We know that when we stand together our voices are louder and more women will therefore be properly looked after on their fitness journey as a mother. Our MumSafe™️ Membership is a stamp of approval which tells you that at Buggy Bootcamp we have your best interests at heart and work in collaboration with other fitness professionals that support us in supporting you.
Day-to-day, absolutely nothing will change at Buggy Bootcamp – we will still operate under our brand EXACTLY the way we have run for years. Our trainers will now just have access to heaps more resources, training and other like-minded fitness professionals – which will hopefully mean more exciting collaborations, events, campaigns and socials for you guys. Stay tuned!
Carly X
By Belinda Williams – The Bumpy Road We know that motherhood is undoubtedly a challenge but it can be hard to determine what is a reasonable level of stress and when to access the precious wisdom of knowing when you need to ask for help. When my first bub came long with a dramatic entrance into…
Buggy Bootcamp’s top 10 things to do with your Mother’s Group in Manly….
Have you done them all?!
Written with thanks to my very own awesome Manly Mother’s Group who conjured up these activities and tried and tested most of them with me whilst unknowingly providing blog content at the same time! You guys rock – 2017 was the best.
And ‘wine walks’ are definitely a thing. You heard it here first.
Here are Buggy Bootcamp’s top 10 Mother’s Group activities in Manly.
Whilst it currently may feel like every day lasts a lifetime, your maternity leave will fly by and before you know it, you will be left reminiscing about the good old days when you had lots of time to hang out with new Mummy friends whilst bub couldn’t walk/run away from you. 😉 Get messaging your Mother’s Group and ticking these off now!
1. Leave the island
Whilst Manly is probably the best place in the world to have your maternity leave, it is good for the soul to leave the bubble occasionally.
Fast ferry it to Watsons Bay, grab take-away fish and chips and picnic it up in the park whilst bub happily gurgles on their back. Head to Narrabeen lakes and push the pram round the perimeter. Or a ferry trip city-side for lunch and a wander among people who aren’t in active wear. Anything off the island counts!
2. Mums and Bubs Cinema
Go early and go lots! The window for this activity is annoyingly very small – and then it’ll be years before you can watch a movie in peace again. Make the most of the luxury of being able to visit the cinema on a weekday morning at a Mums and Bubs showing with your Mother’s group.
Our favourites are the showings at Hoyts Warringah Mall (during school terms only) and the Crying Rooms at Roseville cinemas (avaiable for all sessions).
3. Baby carrier bush walks
Strap on the baby bjorn or the ergo and hit the trails around Manly with your Mother’s group. Our favourites are North Head, Manly Dam or the secret headland path between Curly and Dee Why (just don’t tell too many people about it). A word of warning, if there are more than 3 Mums wearing their babies, it becomes a bit of a crowd pleaser and your walk will be interrupted by multiple requests for photos….
4. Go to the pub
When else is it socially acceptable to sit in a pub on a Tuesday morning at 11am?!
Bags a private room at the Steyne with your mothers group and nurse a coffee (or a margie) for as long as you like, they don’t seem to mind. Or you could check out the fancy new digs at Felons (great if toddlers are in tow with a ship themed playground!)
Or you can commandeer the downstairs sofas at the back of the Ivanhoe and feel like you are hanging out in someone’s front room. Share platters, wine, sofas, plenty of room for prams and high chairs – what more does a Mother’s Group need?!
5. Wine Walks
A wine walk. I’m sure we weren’t the first to do it but my Mother’s Group have coined the term and have claimed this genius activity as our own… Simply meet for an early evening stroll along Manly beachfront with a glass of wine in hand. Take the baby carrier to avoid one handed pram pushing!
The Americans in our group also introduced us to these to help make your wine walk spill free. You’re welcome.
6. Hang out at Little Manly
Little Manly is a favourite spot of ours any time of the day and week, but throwing down a picnic rug on a Friday afternoon in Summer and taking advantage of the kiosk’s BBQ with your new Mother’s Group buddies is the bomb.
7. A music/play/swim class.
Let’s face it – these things are better when you can giggle with someone about your new singing, dancing, cooing role in life. There’s Gymbaroo, Rhyme Time at the library, Minikins and Babykins Music and a whole heap of swim lessons to entertain bub at. Just leave those singing and dancing inhibitions at the door ladies!
8. Tag team swim/surf
Buddy up and take it in turns to go for a swim or a surf BUB FREE. I’m not sure there is anything that will revitalise a tired, stressed out new Mum better than a quick dip in the ocean.
9. Go out out!
Ditch the activewear and breastfeeding clothes, get the glad rags on, get hubbie home and meet fellow new Mums for a night out in Man-town. How long can you last without talking about babies, boobs or bottles?! 😉
10. Go to Buggy Bootcamp!
Well we couldn’t miss ourselves out!
Now we know that getting a good Mother’s Group is pot luck depending only on when you happened to give birth – if you weren’t so lucky and didn’t get a bad-ass up-for-anything group of Mums, come along to Buggy Bootcamp and get to know your ready made like-minded Buggy Bootcamp Mother’s group. Good chat, no judgy Mums, exercise with a sea view, free coffees and flexible memberships designed with new Mums in mind. Sign up for your free trial now!
We told you Manly was the best place in the world to have your maternity leave!
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