Gyms classes that encourage parents to work out with their children – This is Money

Taking out an individual membership with a gym can be expensive. But for parents, it can be a sanctuary – an individual endeavor to get away from it all, including the children.

For those who don’t have a childcare option however, costs can rise even further with a gym crèche.  

More gyms are catering to families by offering child-friendly activities and nurseries on site, this often comes with a hefty price tag as separate memberships have to be taken out for the child and crèche fees are charged per hour on top off those fees.

But there are an increasing number of small businesses offering more personal, family friendly classes that mean you don’t need to ditch your child in a crèche and pay more.

There are various reasons to consider the independent gyms over what major chains can offer. 

Often, family friendly classes come with financial flexibility – you can join and leave as you like, with no joining fee.

They’re also more transparent with their cost structure – often with just a membership or class fee for the adults while children attend free or at a reduced rate if they participate in classes.

Furthermore, it can give you more quality time with your children, wear them out and get them interested in exercise and fitness at an early age.  

Here we profile six entrepreneurs offering classes where parents can exercise with their children or allow children to play (or sleep) while mum and dad work out within sight. 

1. Kimberlee Perry, CEO, Bounce

Kimberlee started a child-friendly fitness class involving trampoline exercises six years ago.

She discovered this type of class was unheard of after giving birth to her son.

She created Bounce after leaving her job when she was overlooked for promotion that she felt was deserved and attended lectures to become a certified exercise instructor to music coupled with aerial silks, yoga and boxing.

Her child-friendly classes for parents are available around Britain and abroad. 

In her classes anything goes from breastfeeding, children participating in the workout to parents working out with babies on their hips or laps.

Kimberlee says: ‘I went from one class a week to 300 franchises and 40,000 attendees every single month on average over the last year. 

‘I started Bounce in 2014 with eight second hand trampolines.

‘We’re saying you don’t have to choose between your time and your time with your children. 

‘It’s more fulfilling if they are with you. 

‘It means you are encouraging fitness from an early age because they can see their parents working out.

‘Parents with you kids don’t have a lot of money to pay on gym memberships. 

‘We make it competitive, keep it to no sign ups and pay as you go.’

Classes start from £6.95 and full fees only apply for children from age eight.

2. Julie Clabby, founder, Busylizzy

Busylizzy is a members’ club for parents on maternity leave. 

Founder Julie says: ‘We started in 2011 and there are currently 23 Busylizzy locations across the UK in London, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Kent.’

As well as offering pilates, yoga, bootcamp, buggyfitness and aerobics sessions for mums, Busylizzy also host active classes for toddlers.

Julie explains: ‘Some of our favourites include Disco Dudes and Divas – a fun and energetic dance class and Fitness Skills and Drills.’

Busylizzy offers flexibility through its app to book and cancel sessions. Memberships start from £45 a month for one class a week to £109 for unlimited sessions.

3. Kerry Cox, founder, Female Fitness Matters

Kerry Cox is a personal trainer and soft tissue therapist specialising in pregnancy and postnatal recovery. 

She runs fitness classes in Harborne, Birmingham and offers one to one sessions in the surrounding area and Solihull.

She says: ‘Some of my clients bring multiple children with them at no additional cost. 

‘Children are welcome in my supervised children’s corner at any age.

‘The youngest child I have in class at the moment is six weeks old and the oldest is four years old.’

Her daytime classes are an hour in length and cost £8 a session.

Family friendly classes compared to gyms and leisure centres

Provider	Adult membership fee/cost per session	Child membership fee	Child class fee	Venue locations
Bounce	Classes start from £6.95 depending on location	None	Classes start from £6.95 depending on location from children aged 8+	National
Busylizzy	From £45-£109	None	None	National
Female Fitness Matters	£8 per session	None	None	Harborne, Birmingham, Solihull
Seven Movement	From £40-£70 a month depending on number of sessions	None	KidsFit* classes cost £5 or five classes for £20	Stockport
Super Mumma Fitness Classes	Six classes for £39 (£6.50 a session)	None	None	Billericay, Chelmsford, Maldon
Spartan Fitness London	Fees range from £11-£15 depending on which package	None	None	Colliers Wood, London
David Lloyd	Prices vary	Prices vary	Included in membership fee	Nationwide
Virgin Active	Memberships start from £52*	0-2 years: £8-£20; 3-7 years: £16-30; 8-11 years: £19 -£32 12-15 years: £21-£35**	Kids aged 3+ are entitled to 4 hours free Club V Activities per day	Nationwide
Sencio	All in One membership costs £42.50 per month	Children up to two years are free. Membership for 3-13 years can be added at £10 a month per child	Some are included while others, like swim classes, have a fee	Sevenoaks, Edenbridge, Swanley
Better	Membership prices vary	Membership prices vary	Activities and prices will depend on location, from swimming starting at £1 to trampoline parks from £7.50	Nationwide
*Prices start from £52 but this depends on location and commitment, i.e. 12 month membership and number of clubs the member wants to have access to.  **Junior membership is split into age group offering, price increases as the offering increases and price depends on club.

4. Kate Perrin, director, Seven Movement

This class-only gym in Stockport offers 30-35 minute HIIT, circuits and weight training classes. 

It offers adult and kids exercise classes and has a kids corner where children play, watch screens or do homework while their parents train.

Kate says: ‘The majority of our members are parents and they all tell us what a huge help it is to be able to bring their little ones to the gym.

‘They wouldn’t be able to exercise if they didn’t have that option so it makes training more accessible to parents. 

‘With exercise playing such a vital role in managing stress and keeping a healthy mind, I think it’s incredibly important for it to be accessible, especially with the extra stresses that being a parent can bring.’

KidsFit classes (ages seven to 14) cost £5 each or 5 classes for £20.

Adult memberships that range between £40 and £70. Kate says: ‘This is depending on how many sessions the member wants to do each month.’

5. Lianne Powles, founder, Super Mumma Fitness

Lianne has taught mum and baby fitness classes in in Billericay, Chelmsford and Maldon since 2014. 

Last year her business won the ‘Best exercise class for 2019’ in the Essex Mums Awards.

Lianne says: ‘I’m very passionate about what I do and love helping mums reach their postnatal fitness goals safely and effectively (I’m trained in pre and postnatal fitness).

‘Although the classes are aimed to help mums get back into fitness safely, they are also important for mums socially… it’s like a little community of support for mums, lovely to see new friendships blossom.

‘A lot of mums have mentioned how much it’s helped them with their postnatal depression, anxiety and to help combat loneliness.’

Classes are charged in blocks of six for £39, which works out to £6.50 a session. Lianne adds: ‘Little ones are welcome to come for free. 

‘There are a range of ages who attend the classes. 

‘Toddlers and older children welcome. It’s so cute with the older ones copy mum. Or they can play while we work out.’

6. Joe Clapson, founder, Spartan Fitness London

Spartan Fitness London was started by Joe Clapson and offers training sessions in the outdoors in Colliers Wood London. 

Joe says he wanted to offer an alternative style to gyms and bootcamps.

Classes comprise of high intensity interval training, body weight classes, kettle bells, powerbags and ball games.

Classes range in size between four and 20 people and he has ambitions to branch out across south-west London.

Children are welcome to join in or play while adults exercise. 

Joe says: ‘There is a massive need for family friendly classes and access to exercise for people with children.

‘So many parents feel blocked from getting and staying fit because they don’t have spare time away from their children.

‘I honestly believe the opportunity for parents to bring their kids to fitness classes or the gym will create a fitter nation – parents will get fit, children will see their mums and dads enjoying being active, and ultimately physical and mental wellness will be improved.’