Absolutely Mama Editor Carly Glendinning tries the best home fitness brands for mums…
Getting out for a baby-free haircut after my daughter was born was a feat in itself, so it wasn’t until she was two that I managed to return to the gym. According to research it can take this long to recover physically and emotionally from birth, and I definitely wanted to return to exercise in a slow and mindful way. However, moving your body after giving birth can help it to recover, as well as prevent postpartum depression. Now my daughter is three, I run in the gym several times a week, but I still workout at home in between around her schedule. Here are all the hottest home fitness brands right now that I’ve tried and tested whilst writing about fitness for Absolutely London. All of them are brilliant for busy mamas who find it hard to nip out for a class or training session in the gym.


The best home fitness equipment, training platforms, apps, and devices right now…

The fold-away home reformer bed
The newly launched FOLD Reformer bed is an absolute game changer if you’re missing your reformer Pilates class post-baby. As the name suggests, this clever piece of equipment folds away easily which is brilliant if you’re short on space (or if you have a baby that’s on the move). Reformer Pilates has absolutely blown up in the past couple of years thanks to its ability to help build core strength and improve flexibility. It’s a great low impact workout for new mums as it also improves pelvic floor health. Classes in the capital are so popular that some have long waiting lists, and often cost upwards of £25 per session. The FOLD Reformer bed is definitely an investment, but if you use it regularly you will save on classes in the long-run. FOLD has an app, with a library of easy-to-follow workouts and you can also interact with other members of the FOLD community on there, which helps with motivation. A sleek and stylish piece of equipment, the bed also comes with everything you need to get started – from a Pilates box and jumpboard, to a set of 1kg dumbells.
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The celebrity personal trainer fitness platform
I’ve been working out at home using A-list personal trainer Louisa Drake’s platform since I returned to fitness after having my daughter. Louisa has a long list of celebrity clients and has worked with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Rooney Mara. The ‘Louisa Drake Method’ fuses elements of Pilates, barre, functional movement, dance and yoga. There’s a range of workouts on her platform – with lots quick sessions for when you’re short on time. I have the LDM Invisible Reformer Kit, which includes resistance bands, a yoga ball, and glider discs, and all you need to add to that is a set of hand weights and a yoga mat. Louisa’s team of instructors make the workouts enjoyable, and I started to see real results within just a few months. Louisa’s platform is my absolute favourite if you’re looking for something low impact and easy to stick to – that actually works. Louisa is also one of the loveliest, most positive personal trainers I’ve ever met, and I’d really recommend booking a one-to-one session with her if you need help kicking off your fitness and nutritional plan.
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The home workout kit
I aspire to have a proper home gym one day, and when I do, Onyx will be my first stop for stylish fitness equipment. The brand has a brilliant range of home workout sets, but you can also buy the weights, Pilates balls, yoga mats, and resistance brands on their own. Everything is available in a range of muted tones, so you won’t mind it being on-view in your home. I have the extra-thick 8mm yoga mat and use it every day. It’s super supportive and comfortable and roomy enough for my daughter to come and join in with my daily yoga sessions as she pleases. I also regularly use the fabric resistance bands (much more comfortable than the usual latex/rubber ones), as well as the bracelet and hand weights.
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The yoga app
I struggled with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, so now I like to stretch every day to increase my flexibility and mobility. I also find it really good just to take 20 minutes out of my day to practise mindfulness, especially now I’m a busy mum. I use yoga and mobility app Pliability daily and what I love about it is that it serves you a new routine focusing on a different area every day. Poses are held for two-three minutes at a time, so that you can really deepen into each stretch. The app also charts your progress, giving you even more incentive to build a healthy habit. I’ve been using Pliability for a year and a half now, and I’ve definitely seen an improvement in terms of flexibility as well as managing post-natal pain.
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The recovery device
Keeping up a regular stretching routine has meant that I’ve been quite lucky with training injuries (so far, touch wood!). However, my pelvic girdle pain did persist for quite a while after pregnancy. The Kineon ‘The MOVE+ Pro LED & Laser’ uses next-generation laser light technology to help relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the healing of damaged tissues. Red light therapy is huge right now, gaining traction with everyone from athletes to skincare experts. Studies have shown that low-level laser therapy is safe during pregnancy, so this device is a good at-home recovery option for new mums. You just charge it up, and it can be easily strapped to the area you need to treat. I use mine after intensive training sessions and find it’s really good to keep aches and pains away.
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