As young mums stretched and flexed their way to postnatal good health in one of Wanaka's Presbyterian church community rooms this week, the occasional muffled snore could be heard from the bulging baby pouches strapped to their fronts.
The combination of physical exertion and peaceful slumber was typical of a ''Kangatraining'' class, in which mothers wear their babies while working out, instructor Fiona Chapman explained.
''It doesn't matter if it's your baby's sleep time because your baby's almost guaranteed to go to sleep, anyway.''
Specifically designed for the postnatal period and the No 1 postnatal workout in Europe, Kangatraining arrived in New Zealand in October last year.
Wanaka is the first place in the South Island to launch the new fitness programme, although Mrs Chapman hopes to roll it out to other parts of Central Otago as its popularity grows.
As well as lulling babies to sleep with the constant rocking motion and increasing the bond between mother and baby, the classes helped ease colic or reflux discomfort, mother of two Mrs Chapman said.
''They're part of the action with you. But you've also got them as resistance, so it's like a weight, as well,'' she said.
Mrs Chapman completed her instructor's training in Melbourne and passed three exams to become qualified.
She fits the twice-weekly classes around her other job as a travel broker.
Kanga mums need GP or midwife clearance and at least six weeks' recovery after giving birth before starting classes, or 12 weeks after a Caesarean section.
