Two ‘mumtrepreneurs’ from Colchester are sharing their child-friendly fitness training with a broader audience thanks to a new exercise studio. Natasha Harvey and Jerry-Ann Cottie are opening Empress Studio, a kid-safe exercise space off Greenstead Road that offers a mix of classes to parents with babies and toddlers in tow.
Empress Studio is geared for high intensity impact training (HIIT) and weights-based classes but with a unique twist: the space is designed to host the infants of exercising adults. Beanbags, baby walkers, bouncers and an impressive array of toys keep kids entertained in a safe and secure environment. “The classes are completely child-friendly, so no-one needs to worry about childcare,” says Jerry-Ann. “They can just come along to class.”Meeting the needs of other parents is at the heart of the Empress ethos. “For me, taking my kids to childcare while I exercised would have been completely unaffordable,” says Natasha. “Our classes are on a drop-in, no-book basis, which is really important when you’re looking after little ones.”
Both ladies have every reason to identify with parents struggling to regain fitness after having children. “After having my two children I was about four stone heavier than I am now, and was really uncomfy,” recalls Natasha. “I saw an awful photo of myself and decided I had to do something about it. I went to a local ‘buggysize’ class and really enjoyed it, so when the classes stopped I thought ‘Okay, I’m going to make this my job.'”
Empress Studio on Davey Close, Colchester launches this month, and to set the new timetable off to a flying start instructors Natasha Harvey and Jerry-Ann Cottie will be hosting an ‘exercisathon’ between 9:30am and 12 non on Saturday February 17th.
What to expect
Mini 20-minute tasters of all the HIITFit Classes Empress Studio has to offer- everything from Zumba to HIIT, and BoxFIT to Kettlebells. All equipment with be provided and children are welcome, as always. Full timetable to be posted at www.empress studio.co.uk.
Tickets are £10 but are limited so please email [email protected] to book a place.
