Pushing baby in a stroller around the block might be good exercise, but it's neither stimulating nor social.
But Plunket mums now have ample space in which to exercise as a group and have people willing to look after their toddlers during the session.
"I don't think there's anywhere else in Wanganui
where mums can go and leave their children while they exercise," says Claire Marara, Plunket community support co-ordinator.
"There are only so many times you can go for a walk, and it only does so much for you," she says. "To get mums out and engaging with each other, that's the big thing."
Mary Rowan of Christ Church Parish Women's Fellowship approached Plunket, wanting to do something for the mums and babies in Castlecliff, says Claire. The exercise group idea was Mary's and membership is open to mums from anywhere in Wanganui.
The space provided is St Luke's Church Hall on the corner of Manuka and Cornfoot streets in Castlecliff and the child minders are members of the Fellowship with a few husbands included.
Sport Whanganui is supplying the exercise tuition and programme for the last few weeks of the term. "Then we'll start up again after the holidays," says Claire, "So hopefully these three weeks of this term will give us a good indication of how it will go and what the numbers will be like."
To date, 14 mums have expressed interest in the group and indicated they will come. "And we have five helpers so far, as well.
"Plunket doesn't have funding for something like this, but it's a need in the community that we want to fill with the help of the women from the church."
Mums pay $2 a session to go toward costs. The first session is this Friday, June 12, at 9.30am, followed by tea and coffee, but no cake. Cake would defeat the purpose, apparently.
"There is a social aspect for the mums, being able to catch up after the class over a tea or coffee," says Claire.
Nicole says she heard about the group through Facebook. "I'm doing it for the exercise; childcare is a bonus. Otherwise I'd pram walk ... so I suppose the socialising is a plus."
Lizette says the exercise is the motivation. "All I really do is walk with Bella, but I get a bit bored."
Sam says she needs the exercise and she and Nicole will car pool. She's also looking forward to being able to socialise with like-minded women while daughter Rosie is looked after.
¦To join the exercisers, look on Plunket Wanganui's Facebook page for the Friday exercise group.