At Bay City Strollers, mums can meet other new mums while getting fit. They can bring their children along, too, eliminating the need for a babysitter while mum works out.

“Many mums with new babies are reluctant to leave their baby with others while they do something for themselves,” Moody says.

When hiring trainers, Moody focuses on finding staff who know how to train women whose bodies are still recovering from giving birth.

The trainers work with women who are pregnant or who have recently delivered; many mums continue to train when they’re pregnant with their second or third child.

Exercise classes are tailored to suit each group. ‘‘As with any good fitness training, every class is different,” Moody says.

“If there is a group with a lot of babies, it’s likely to be a class on the move so the mums can keep their strollers moving. If there are a lot of older toddlers and walkers, they might play on the grass while the mums go to a boxing circuit.”

Moody became involved with Bay City Strollers when she went along to her local group wanting to get into shape after having her first child. The benefits were immediate.

Looking for an opportunity to work from home, Moody eventually bought the business. She’s been at the helm for three and a half years and says it’s a venture that allows her to have control over her working hours.

Ten groups now work out across Melbourne and Geelong, with sessions held in suburbs including Elwood, South Yarra, Brighton, Mordialloc and Murrumbeena.

Now pregnant with her second child, Moody says she will spend this year focusing on expanding her family – and the business.

“I’m looking at expanding interstate, perhaps this year, but I don’t want to get to the point where it is taking me full-time hours to organise,” she says. She still attends classes to make sure each group takes the same consistent approach – and to maintain her fitness, of course.

For more information, visit baycitystrollers.com.au