AN exercise class with a difference sees Hampshire mums using their newborn babies as weights.

During the alternative workout, the first of its kind in the country, the new mothers hold their babies while they carry out a range of exercises.

The fitness group at the Wessex Maternity Centre, in Southampton, was devised by midwives and personal trainer Nigel Phillips who had to borrow a baby to try out the routines.

It is aimed at getting both the parents and the child into an exercise routine together, with the baby making an ideal workout partner because as it grows the mother gets fitter.

Mr Phillips, who is also qualified to teach post and antenatal classes, said: "This unique exercise class offers mums a fantastic opportunity to get themselves and their babies into an exercise routine early after the birth.

"The baby is always in close proximity with the mother so she doesn't have to worry about leaving him and I think it also strengthens the bond between them.

"It's great for the mums because within six weeks they're back exercising but they know it's safe and there are no thin Lycra-clad girls running around."

The 45-minute routines take place at the independent maternity centre, in Mansbridge Road. It is specifically designed for mums with babies who are at least six weeks old or ten weeks for a caesarean birth.

A spokeswoman for the scheme said: "The weight of the child is used in the exercises but it's much more about creating a bond between the mothers and the children.

"Many mothers don't have the time or the resources to go to a gym so this is a great way to get back into shape.''

"It also makes the babies content, happy, relaxed and they come out smiling.

And the mums couldn't agree more about the benefits of the class.

First-time mum Sarah Knight, 28, from Southampton, attends the class with her 21-week-old son Joshua. She said: "It's been brilliant - learning to use the right muscles for different lifts has been really useful.''

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