Four common hesitations I hear with online programs, and my answers
“I never stick to online programs” Sound familiar? I hear it all the time. Now don’t get me wrong, I run Mum & Baby classes, I know how much having a session scheduled in your diary helps you actually show up for yourself. In fact I promote it as a way to get you out the house!
But… online programs have their place too. No only if you don’t have access to in person classes where you live, but they offer structure and support and other benefits too.
Online programs often feel like they’re easy to ignore or that you ‘wont get as much out’ of them. In this blog, I’m tackling the four most common hesitations I hear about online programs and giving you my honest, practical answers so it might be able to work better for you.
"I just don't do well on online programs, I feel need to be in person to get the workouts done"
My answer to this one: Totally fair - most mums don’t, because most online programs aren’t built for the reality of motherhood and don’t come with much personalised support. I am the first to admit that having a set time in the diary to turn up too each week is great motivation.
BUT when you are juggling life with little ones
- to pack everything up...
- leave the house...
- get dressed...
- find your nappy bag and all for a poonami to happen as you arrive and miss half the class...
In person can come with its limiting factors too (initially), when you're first starting back with exercise, and its more pressured to be there at X time. A 45 minute workout turns into a 3 hour round trip. When you could have stayed home and knocked out 5-20 minutes of exercise with baby on the mat and zero stress of the pack up.
They're a great way to build a base of strength, from home and get you in a routine that you can build on more and more - from home - and work flexibly around your baby or work (or both!). On all of my online programs you get 1:1 support via email or WhatsApp so you’re not left alone, not worrying in silence you’re doing it wrong (more on that later).
You can also press pause at anytime and come back to it if you're doing it with little ones in tow and poonami strikes and no one cares if you turn up to the workout in pyjamas
"I find I push myself more in person. I need someone there to motivate me"
My answer to this: When you've got someone shouting at you to push harder to add more load, that is indeed more motivating than when you're left to your own devices.
Can I just stress a point here though, if you are postpartum or returning to exercise after time off, it should be a gradual journey of building up your strength and resistance, not a military bootcamp!
In my programs, the 18 progressive workouts on 6 Weeks to Strong or on every workout on The Advanced Challenge & The Online Workout Channel, I give you modifications to make them harder and easier, so you can choose which level you want to go at according to how you feel on the day.
So although I am not in your living room with you, making you push hard, if you’ve had a bad nights sleep and have little to no energy, you can push when you want too and taper back when needed too. So you're always progressing forward, never plateauing.
The other benefit of home workouts…
Your little ones can get involved and no one cares if you turn up in your pyjamas to workout!
"I need accountability to show up and do the workouts. I won't do it if it's online and find an excuse not too"
My answer to this: Accountability when you start something new is vital for everyone. Vital for support, to feel seen and heard but also so you have people celebrate with (and moan too when things get hard). Support in an community for an online program is as important as an in person community!
I can't tell you how many times I have seen moments like this on the WhatsApp groups happen:
"I was just about to sit down and tuck into a bag of Cadbury's buttons after a sh*t nights sleep, but decided to do workout 16 instead and feel tonnes better for making the effort and now I don't even want the button binge! "
We work as a team, a little village me, you and other mums in the same situation as you, trying to get everything done AND find time for themselves. Having support means you can see how other’s fit it in, get ideas off them or inspired by them too!
“I’m not sure I’ll know what I’m doing.”
My answer to this: Saving the best until last because this is the most common worry, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure when starting an online program if you’re going to do it right or if you’ll do yourself harm. After birth it can be hard to know what you body is capable of or what your limits are so being in person may feel easier so you can have someone check on you there and then.
Because I cant be with you every workout I put more focus on showing you HOW to perform exercises during the workouts. Regardless of which program you’re on, the exercises are carefully guided, demoed, and explained or you can use the technique checker videos OR join the live Technique Checker Clinic on the Member’s Hub every Monday to run through any questions you have.
Depending on which program you’re on, you can also avail of 1:1 support through WhatsApp, so any questions about your form, modifying an exercise, or simply needing reassurance, I’m there to help you.
Final thoughts…
Absolutely, in-person classes are wonderful and its why I offer them. Nothing beats the motivation of showing up somewhere and being guided live, with a trainer. But when you’re juggling a busy schedule; whether you’re back at work, caring for a newborn, or chasing a toddler around the house (or both) sometimes the pressure of leaving the house, packing everything up, and fitting a class in can add more stress than it’s worth.
That’s where an online program can really help. It gives you the flexibility to exercise when and where it works for you, at your own pace, without the pressure of a fixed schedule. You can focus fully on building strength, improving technique, and getting back into a routine, even if it’s just 10–20 minutes at a time, knowing that support is always there.
Online programs are about giving yourself the freedom and structure to start a routine of exercise again, without leaving the house.
Need help starting your postnatal exercise journey?
My 6 Weeks to Strong program is designed specifically for mums who want to get moving again, build strength, and feel confident in their bodies - without the overwhelm or worry that they’re doing it wrong. It’s a structured, supportive program that fits around your life, with guided workouts, technique support, and accountability.
An online 6 week strength & core focused program, specifically designed for mothers (postnatal or beyond) who are ready to re-enter the world of exercise. This group program comes with unwavering support from a WhatsApp community group, post-workout and weekly check ins with me. Available for just 10 participants, work alongside me and the other mothers in real time, feeling supported and motivated for every step as you progress and see the results of the work you put in.
