von Essen hotels, a collection of 24 fine hotels across the UK and France, is celebrating the official launch of the latest addition to its Luxury Family Hotels set, The Elms in Worcestershire, with a series of post-natal fitness packages for new mums keen to regain their pre-baby body shape.

According to a NOP survey conducted on behalf of von Essen, 57% of women believe one of the best ways to get back into shape after having a baby is to do sit ups*. Post-natal Fitness Trainer, Simon Medcalf of Mum2b Ltd however dispels this myth through his comprehensive guide to post-natal fitness. Put together specifically for visitors to The Elms his series of bespoke packages place an emphasis on restoring the body after having a baby.

Each day consists of a two hour workshop where guests learn how to exercise safely, effectively and efficiently without detriment to their health or baby routine. Session one will cover specific guidelines to exercise after having a baby and focuses on core conditioning, introducing exercises to restore abdominal tone, core stability and lower back strength following the separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.

Medcalf advises new mums that “performing inappropriate abdominal exercises whilst still ‘separated’ can delay a return to normal and potentially lead to further complications. Sit-ups or crunches should not be performed if a separation is still evident.”

Session two will apply the guidelines of aerobic and general muscle conditioning in the form of a buggy workout interspersed with top-to-toe conditioning exercises for the whole body.

Outside of the fitness workshops (two two-hour sessions), new mums will have the chance to enjoy the hotels facilities including baby listening and baby-sitting services, a separate high tea for older children should they wish to dine separately to their parents, fun and games in the crèche, as well as pampering options such as a spa treatment or fine dining – ideal for groups of friends or Mums and Dads looking for a relaxing break in sumptuous surroundings.

One of the design highlights of The Elms is undoubtedly the innovative crèche, a contemporary ‘Pavilion’ building within the kitchen garden; which allows children to learn about and appreciate design and architecture, as well as teaching them about where their food grows, offering ‘growing and cooking’ with the hotels gardeners and chefs.

The 112m² crèche offers flexible facilities for young children from birth up to approximately 8 years old, and in-line with the offering from all the other hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels portfolio is accredited by OFSTED. The building has been designed to meet the highest environmental standards and aims to incorporate ‘Green best practice’. PV cells and solar thermal heating have been used in order to minimise running costs. Furthermore the outstanding thermal performance of the walls makes the building extremely energy efficient, while rainwater from the roof will be collected in butts to irrigate the surrounding hotel gardens, and a giant display screen shows kids inside how much energy the building is generating.

Starting on the 7th November this year at the introductory price of £299 per room, the package runs over the course of two days including overnight accommodation, dinner, bed and breakfast in a Classic room, two workout sessions and take home workout plan, plus access to the crèche and hotel facilities.

For priority bookings contact babygoes2 here