Preggi Bellies makes sure you won't doze off in classes, writes Lauren Mentjox.
They have been making pregnant women sweat for nearly two years, but the sisters who brought Preggi Bellies to Auckland are selling up. Karina and Rosana Balle say it's time for someone to take Preggi Bellies - a
fitness programme for pregnant women - to the next level and franchise it across the country. The Pukekohe-raised pair introduced the programme to New Zealand 18 months ago at Auckland-area gyms and swimming centres. Since then, more than 500 women have taken part in classes, which incorporate cardiovascular, strengthening and stretching exercises on a duraball during a one-hour workout. Another 500 have attended free introductory sessions. But Karina, 27, who discovered the programme when she was living in Melbourne, says the sisters don't have the capacity to continue to run it on their own. ``I'm a physiotherapist, not a marketer,'' she says, adding that she would like to continue having a role in terms of taking classes and training instructors. Rosana, 25, plans to concentrate on a legal career as well as taking care of her two children. The former runner says it's a great way to keep in shape when pregnant - she took up to six classes a week when she was pregnant with her second child, now a year old. She says she was unable to find anything to do except yoga during her first pregnancy. ``I came across so many `old wives' tales' and myths about exercising. I basically used to fall asleep in the yoga classes.'' She says Preggi Bellies doesn't guarantee a problem-free birth, but is getting really good reports from clients. Karina and Rosana will continue to run Preggi Bellies classes until March with a revised timetable. Women who are unable to attend will have the opportunity to buy the programme's Training for Two DVD with or without the duraball. In the meantime, they are hoping someone with a ``passion for pregnancy'' will be able to take on the business to give other women the opportunity to enjoy working out during their pregnancies. See www.preggibellies.co.nz.
