The Mum Club Milton Keynes x Studio 281 Baby and Me Pilates

I first discovered The Mum Club on Instagram while I was a pregnant. A UK-wide community of mothers with factions in various villages, towns and cities, the community brings together moms for events throughout the year.

I have had a terribly hard time connecting with other women my age in England. It’s really difficult to do when you work remotely and you live in one of the smaller towns and are not frequently heading into a city like London or Manchester. Bedford is quiet and my neighbors are mostly pensioners. It gets a bit lonely and isolating at times.

I signed up for my first event when I saw The Mum Club Milton Keynes was partnering with Studio 281 for a pilates event. I started going to Reformer Pilates classes in 2025 before I got pregnant but my first trimester was so debilitating in terms of nausea and exhaustion, I didn’t make it to anymore classes for the rest of the year.

This felt like a good way to dip my toes back into Reformer Pilates and maybe meet some other women.

Studio 281 Milton Keynes

This was my first time going to the Studio 281 Milton Keynes location. It is tucked inside a hair salon called The Dollhouse. Unlike the Bedford location, Milton Keynes is purely a pilates studio.

I brought Chloe with me which added a level complexity and planning I’m still getting used to. I brought her Baby Björn bouncer with me, which was perfect because it folds flat and is easy to transport in the car and carry it.

There was just enough room in the studio between pilates machines for the bouncer.

The event

Kelly, the organizer of the Milton Keynes group greeted me and we chatted a little bit and made me feel very welcome.

Set on each machine was a pair of sticky socks, a little red zip bag and some sparkling water for each mother.

After all the mothers got setup with their little ones, Studio 281’s instructor Molly led us through a gentle Reformer session with focus on building the core and pelvic floor. Both Kelly and Molly helped out if any of the little ones fussed, and I had Chloe set up so I could reassure her easily between sets.

Overall I had a good time and it was nice to get out of the house for a first big activity with Chloe, but I felt a bit socially anxious after. The trouble I find with workout focused activities is that there isn’t really time or space to socialize, unless you’re doing something a group walk or there is a designated time after a class to sit and chat. I am planning to attend a brunch or walking meetup to have a better chance at socializing with other mums and have a few different Mum Clubs around to choose from. I’m happy to have a meetup