Pre and Postnatal classes at Clapham Junction
Dedicated pre and postnatal classes for anyone pregnant, postnatal, or recovering from a recent pregnancy. Babies up to 12 months are welcome - Dads too!
Bumps and Babies classes at Shapesmiths
Led by the brilliant Pre & Post Natal certified coach Nicky Harrison these sessions are designed to provide a safe, structured environment for women going into or coming out of pregnancy, helping you build and maintain fitness throughout that journey, delivered in true Shapesmiths style.
More than that, we want these classes to be a space where you feel genuinely supported, and keep a strong community around you during one of life's biggest transitions, and beyond.
How to get started
- 01
Book a class
Classes run on Wednesdays at 10:30am. Grab a Bumps and Babies trial pass and speak with a member of the team to book your first session.
- 02
Bring your baby
Come along with your baby. No childcare needed.
- 03
Meet Nicky
The coach will check in on how you're feeling and discuss anything they should be aware of so they can tailor the session for you.
- 04
Keep it going
We'll help you find the right membership that fits how often you can train with us.
Your Bumps and Babies Questions Answered
Coming back after birth
There is no single date that works for everyone, it is based on the individual, how they feel, the birth and experience. Gentle movement and pelvic floor work can start in the first few days if you feel up to it. Most people join us somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks, once the 6 to 8 week postnatal check has happened and any bleeding has settled. If you had a caesarean, a significant tear, or any complications, it is usually longer, often 10 to 12 weeks, and worth a conversation with your GP, midwife or a women's health physio first. Message us where you are at and Nicky will tell you honestly whether now is the time or whether to wait a few weeks.
Not quite, and this trips a lot of people up. The 6 to 8 week check is a general health check and primarily for your baby, not a full assessment of your pelvic floor or core. It is a good marker to work from, but it is not a green light for everything. We start you where you are and build.
Yes, once you are far enough out. A caesarean is abdominal surgery, so the timeline is longer and the early loading looks different. Nicky will scale around it. Tell her at your first session, including how the scar feels.
Wait. Bleeding that has stopped and then restarted after activity is your body telling you to back off. Come to us once that has settled.
Yes. Some separation is normal after pregnancy and it is very common. It is not a reason to avoid training, it is a reason to train properly. We coach breathing, pressure management and progressions that help strengthen the abdominal tissue.
Yes, and please tell us. Leaking is common but it is not something you have to accept. We scale impact out and build pelvic floor strength back in. If it needs more than we can do in class, we will direct you to a women's health physio.
Depends on the birth, the recovery and how consistent you are. Plenty of people move back into regular Shapesmiths classes within a few months, some stay in Bumps & Babies longer because they like it. There is no rush and no set exit date.
Training while pregnant
Yes. If you were active before, you can generally keep going with sensible adjustments. If you are new to training, pregnancy is not the time to start by yourself, which is exactly why this class exists, to help guide you. Get the all clear from your midwife or GP if you have any complications.
Right up to the end if you feel good and there are no complications. Some people train the week they give birth. Others stop earlier, based on how your body feels, tiredness and recovery. Both are fine.
Positions change, loads change, and we move away from anything flat on your back for long periods, deep core bracing and high impact. What stays the same is that you train, you progress and you are in a room with people who get it.
Yes, with the right coaching and the right loads. Strength work through pregnancy helps with posture, back pain, birth and recovery. Nicky adjusts the movements and the weights session by session.
Come anyway if you can. Sometimes the answer is a full session, sometimes it is walking, breathing and a chat with people who understand. Both count. Nobody is grading you.
Bringing your baby
No. Bring them or leave them, whatever suits that week. Some people use the class as their hour off.
Up to 12 months.
Then your baby cries the whole time. Everybody in the room is in the same position or has been. Nobody is bothered. Pick them up, feed them, change them, carry them, carry on.
Prams, mats and a safe space at the side of the floor where you can see them. Bring whatever they need to be comfortable, blanket, toys, pram, seats, bouncers. It's all very dependent on the baby but there are multiple options available. Your baby can be in a car seat or buggy near you or there will be a baby space set up in a safe area with toys and soft mats. It is whatever you and your baby feel happy and comfortable with!
Yes, whenever you need to, however you feed. Feed on the floor, feed in the corner, feed mid set. Nobody will look twice.
Yes. It is a pre and postpartum class, not a mums only class.
Practical stuff
Trainers, water, gym clothing, whatever you need for the baby. That is it.
No. This is built for exactly where you are, not where you used to be.
No. Plenty of people in this class have never trained in a gym like ours. You get coached through every movement.
An hour, including the bits where you sort your baby out.
Yes, book through the app so we know numbers and can set the floor up properly.
Turn up five minutes early, have a quick chat with Nicky about your birth, your recovery and anything that hurts or worries you, then train. No forms to wrestle with, no assessment to pass.
The class has a limited capacity of 12, to make sure there is room for all the babies, mums working out and storage. Nicky will work with you, depending on what has been programmed, to manage babies and prams.
Nothing here is medical advice. If you have had complications, ongoing pain, or you are unsure, speak to your GP, midwife or a women's health physio first.