We’re passionate about helping you exercise with confidence

Our approach to postnatal exercise is born from over 17 years working as pelvic health physiotherapists and our previous lives teaching Pilates and competing in professional triathlon.

PLUS: Six children and a c-section scar.

Emma and Claire lifting light weights above their heads and smiling

TRUSTED AND ACCREDITED BY

health and care professions council logo
Chartered society of physiotherapy logo

“Emma and Claire have been a great support post pregnancy.”

A great approach to my individual needs and real awareness of where my body is at, helping me to understand not only the physical, muscular aspects but also my nervous system, breathing and sleep.

”This wealth of knowledge… has given me confidence that the slow and steady building blocks are bringing me back to my active self.”

- Jenny Jones, Winter Olympic medalist in snowboarding

Claire Fitzpatrick and Emma Smith jogging along a riverside

We’ve both experienced dreamy pregnancies... ones where we were weight training, running and cycling and enjoying moving our bodies right till the birth. 

But we’ve also had high-risk pregnancies that required weeks and months in hospital...

We’ve had enormous babies vaginally and we’ve had tiny NICU babes via emergency c-section. In postnatal we’ve had quick recoveries and tough, challenging recoveries.

And in our jobs as physiotherapists, working alongside gynaecology consultants in the NHS and private clinics, we’ve supported mums throughout their postnatal journey. 

We now bring all our professional and personal experience into The Mothership Physio, to help you get back to full strength again and exercise with confidence.

Claire and Emma holding and chatting about a model of a pelvis

EMPOWERING YOU THROUGH EDUCATION

As mums, physios and women who love to exercise, we’re tired of all the outdated myths and misconceptions about how and when mums should start exercising after delivery. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. So we created an evidence-based postnatal programme.

We provide safe modifications, step-by-step guidance and education on your body throughout the programme. So you feel confident, in control and empowered throughout your postpartum fitness journey. 

Meet Claire Fitzpatrick

Claire is a women’s pelvic health physiotherapist and a previous APPI pilates instructor.

She has 15 years’ clinic experience treating conditions occurring in pregnancy, postpartum and menopause including prolapse, bladder issues, pelvic pain and tummy gap.

She’s passionate about helping mums safely get their strength and fitness back so they can enjoy an active life without pain, discomfort or embarrassing symptoms. 

When not juggling working with parenting three boisterous boys, Claire can be spotted enjoying the streets of Bath with a good coffee in hand or growing flowers in her allotment.

  

Meet Emma Smith

Emma is a women’s pelvic health physiotherapist, a former professional triathlete and an ex-lawyer.

As a mum of two and as a physiotherapist, Emma has experienced what it takes to overcome health problems and regain and maintain physical and mental strength after having a baby. As a former professional athlete, she also knows how to train in running, cycling, swimming, weight training and Pilates effectively.

Using her knowledge of physiotherapy and sport, she creates postnatal workouts that are fun, varied, challenging and safe.

You’ll find Emma wearing lycra, no matter the occasion, and drinking hot water despite being offered an array of other delicious drinks.

Yes, there are other postnatal exercise options.
But not all are created equal.

Here’s The Mothership Physio special sauce:

  1. As physiotherapists, we understand the rehabilitation that needs to take place to recover safely from different types of pregnancy and delivery.  Most personal trainers and celebrities are only aware of core exercises and aesthetics; they don’t know how to recover from prolapse, c-sections and episiotomies.

  2. We provide evidence-based physiotherapy exercises with safe modifications. Because we know a one-size-fits-all approach to postnatal exercise doesn’t work and it’s essential to progress at a level that’s right for you and your goals.

  3. We get the challenges of working out around naps and a busy schedule so everything in our programme makes it achievable, enjoyable and convenient: short workouts, minimum equipment, a supportive community and a huge variety of exercises.

  4. We don’t promise quick fixes. We focus on your long-term health by sharing our knowledge freely and answering all your questions throughout the programme.

  5. This isn’t the type of programme you join but don’t actually end up doing.  Through the workouts, during our live, monthly Clinic Hours and within the Mothership Physio Village community, we’re here to inspire, motivate and guide you every step of the way. It won’t feel like an impersonal online programme.

Find out what other women love about our postnatal workouts

Nicki smiling at the camera

“My main reason for recommending this programme is the experience Emma and Claire bring. They're really unique in their field. I haven't seen anything else like it anywhere.”

“They are both Women's Health physios, which was something that I'd not heard of until doing the course, but it opened up a lot of understanding. They also know so much about exercise. It's not about pushing, it's about correct form. In the videos, they explain why it’s important and what's happening, which I hadn't heard before so that was really helpful.”

Nicki, a school Administrator who loves horse riding

Annie smiling at the camera

“Because Emma and Claire are both qualified physios, you feel like they know what they're talking about. You know they are literally experts.”

“It was an investment in me, an investment in my long-term health and also my short-term happiness, to be able to get back to exercising again, which I love.  You feel like you're being led by experts so you can have confidence knowing they know what they're talking about and that you're doing the right things for your body.”

— Annie, an Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion rower

From conception to delivery, everyone has a special birth story. Here’s ours.

Emma and Claire first met when Emma went to see Claire for a private physiotherapy session. Emma started joining Claire’s in-person postnatal exercise classes in Bath.

2019


You could call us a lockdown baby because when the pandemic hit we took our classes online under the name ‘Mum and Bub’.

Covid strikes


Claire went on maternity leave with her third baby and asked Emma to teach her in-person classes.

2020


Over 250 mums trusted our online postnatal exercise programme to help regain their strength.

2020-23


We re-branded as The Mothership Physio and launched the TMP Postnatal Exercise Programme in September 2023.

2023


IT’S TIME TO REGAIN YOUR STRENGTH

TRY THE TMP POSTNATAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME RISK-FREE FOR 10 DAYS.

10-day money-back guarantee.