How did Fit Moms on the Move get started?
Drea and baby Kaden (2013)
When she got back into teaching group fitness again at 3 months postpartum, her first class was a boot camp. She knew she’d probably have to take it easy a bit, but had no idea that she couldn’t even do the warm up jumping jacks without feeling like her would pee her pants! She got through class fine, but the wake up call that her body was just not the same really sunk in.
The biggest thing she got out of that initial class is the realization of how much of a gap there was in the fitness industry regarding postpartum fitness and recovery. From what she saw at the time, there were NO opportunities for moms to ease in or at least get educated about specific training techniques that would help them in their recovery and prevent injury after having a baby. As a group fitness instructor pre kids, she was never taught nor had any kind of training or awareness about new moms getting back in to shape after having kids. Which was alarmed her… because freshly postpartum moms showed at group fitness classes all time, and she simply had no idea how to help them.
Not to mention, physical fitness wasn’t the only thing.
While her husband was an amazing support, he didn’t personally understand the mental and emotional load that a she had to deal with as a new mom. She realized that she needed a community. A mom tribe. A space for moms to share experiences, challenges, advice, and gain encouragement and support.
So, she made one.
She started thinking about how she could help moms connect with each other while also integrating her fitness instructor experience, along with specialized, safe, and effective prenatal and postpartum friendly exercise classes, all while keeping her baby close.
After Drea's first child was born in October 2013, her body didn’t just bounce back… and she was shocked.
In fact, she was so clueless that she naively put away all the pregnancy clothes after the birth because she thought she wouldn’t need them anymore (funny, right?!). Getting ready for her first outing out of the house a week or so later quickly brought those comfy clothes back out!
She also had no idea how strange it was that her core felt so “empty”. She couldn’t sit up in bed and most definitely had diastasis recti (she had no idea what that was at the time), plus her pelvic floor was weak (and was for years after!) But her care providers had said nothing. Sure, she knew would bleed after birth, her boobs would hurt and leak, she’d still have some pregnancy weight, her belly would hang, and overall feel sore and tired. She was prepped for that.
But she didn’t feel prepared for how weak her body felt, how her strength had seemingly left her, and how isolating and frustrating that felt. She had worked out and felt great throughout the entire pregnancy… what was happening?! Of course, now she had this sweet baby to focus on, so any kind of exercise, extra movement, or stretching was on the low end of the priority list for her.
After doing some research, she knew she wanted her sister on board. Britney had a Bachelor of Exercise Science, an extensive background in all aspects of fitness and group exercise classes, and, like Drea, a passion for helping others. She wasn't a mom at the time, but Drea asked her if she'd like to join her in her new endeavor, and of course, Brit said yes! Fit Moms on the Move, LLC (originally known as 360° Fitness, LLC) was founded in March 2014.
Initially classes consisted of stroller fitness classes. Business was rough going the first few years. Ask them about their Grand Opening Picnic and how that went! 🤣
In early 2015, both Drea and Britney received a Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness Certification. They continued offering summer only Stroller Fitness classes, and adult boot camps. Once Brit had her own experience in pregnancy and childbirth, they switched their niche to prenatal and postpartum fitness.
Britney and her son, Will (2015)
Drea & Brit had planned to explore online fitness options in Fall/Winter of 2020, but the COVID pandemic rushed those plans into overdrive! They started offering free online classes to help moms cope with the craziness of 2020 and started to get experience in teaching both online classes via Zoom. 2020 proved to be a very busy time for them in terms of gaining online teaching experience, more certifications, planning classes, hiring new instructor contractors, and learning technology. In mid-2020, they earned their ACE Personal Trainer certifications and then earned their Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES) in December 2020.
The Fit MOM Virtual Studio has seen additions of 2-week and 4-week programs, accountability groups, challenges, and more since 2020 and was renamed to Fit MOM MVMT Studio in 2022.
In 2022, Prepared 4 Postpartum was started as a way to help local moms think ahead and take initiative in their own postpartum recovery and fitness while pregnant. With that, Drea & Brit also started The Motherhood Alliance as a way to give moms essential resources and local support for themselves and their families throughout motherhood. The Motherhood Alliance was separated as a separate business in 2024 and a great way for local moms to find holistically minded resources and businesses that support them in all seasons of motherhood!
Fit MOM Outdoors continued for 9 years until 2023.
Check out pictures from year’s past!
