Win 6 months of RWL Fitness membership – the app Mumsnet testers actually stuck with

Be honest - how many times have you downloaded a fitness app thinking this time it’ll stick… only to abandon it a week (or even a month) later?

With kids, even the most ‘doable’ plan can fall apart by day three. Between work, childcare, life admin and sheer exhaustion, fitting in exercise can feel like one more thing on an already impossible list. 

So, when we asked Mumsnet users to try the RWL Fitness app recently, we wanted honest answers - not glossy ones. Could this actually work for busy mums? Or would it end up being another good idea that doesn’t quite translate into real life?

Here’s what they found - but first, win a chance to try RWL Fitness yourself below and nab a gift card to spend in the RWL Shop!

Win up to £750 in prizes - including a six month membership of RWL Fitness

If you’re curious about trying the app yourself, we’ve got a pretty good incentive. We’re giving away £750 worth of prizes to three lucky Mumsnet users, including: 

Gold prize

• £200 RWL shop gift card

• 6 months membership

• One-day fitness event

Silver prize

• £150 RWL shop gift card

• 6 months membership

Bronze prize

• £100 RWL shop gift card

• 6 months membership

Enter now for your chance to win and see if RWL Fitness could work for you.

Mumsnet T&Cs apply. The competition is open to UK residents only. Competition closes at 11.59pm on 8 May 2026.

What is RWL Fitness?

RWL Fitness is designed as more than just a workout app. It combines fitness plans, nutrition guidance and mindset support, all built around the idea of creating sustainable habits. 

The key promise is simple: fitness that fits around your life - not the other way round. 

Inside the app you’ll find:

• Structured plans for home or gym

• Short, manageable workouts

• Nutrition and recipe ideas

• Mindset and habit support

• A built-in community of users

The brand also leans heavily into the idea of support and understanding - particularly for parents balancing multiple demands. 

- kimpurdie2005

As co-founder Lucy Mecklenburgh puts it: “Balancing family life is tough, but self-care isn’t selfish - it’s essential. As women and mums, we deserve to care for ourselves without guilt, because when we’re at our best, so is everyone around us.” 

But as ever, the real test is whether that translates into something that actually works day today. Here are the seven biggest benefits our Mumsnet testers found. 

1. “The workouts are available whenever you are” 

Time - or lack of it - is the biggest barrier to exercise for most parents. And this is where many of our testers felt RWL stood out. Particularly with the Mamma Rebuild plan. 

Mumsnet user StephanieJ87 summed it up perfectly in her feedback: 

“The great thing about the app is the workouts are available whenever you are. I have a busy schedule with work, throw a toddler in the mix and the gym never quite seems to fit our routine. Being able to pick up the course when I had just 10 minutes here or there was fab.” 

That flexibility came up again and again. Fellow RWL Fitness tester, Frandw91 also highlighted how easy the Mamma Rebuild plan worked around family life: 

“The videos and plan were easily accessible via the app meaning I could do them at any time that was convenient, especially with a baby and toddler to care for.” 

And for many, it was those shorter sessions that made the difference between starting and actually sticking with it. 

ChocolateEveryday noted: “I loved that they were only 10 minutes long as that meant I could fit them in on my lunch break or before work started.” 

2. Built for real life (kids included)

A recurring theme in the feedback was how many testers had tried other plans that simply didn’t work once children were in the mix. RWL’s flexibility - both in timing and intensity - made it feel more realistic for many Mumsnet users. 

Colz12 said: “You can pick short sessions which was handy as I could squeeze them into a busy day. As a mum, that’s such a big plus!” 

And for Polarbear5000, it even worked during pregnancy: “I absolutely loved using the Beyond bump plan with RWL, I loved that the exercises were short and easily accessible on the app. Perfect for completing around looking after my toddler and helping me to stay active during pregnancy!” 

Rather than expecting a fixed routine, the app allows you to dip in and out - something that feels far more aligned with how most parents actually live. 

3. Encouraging, not intimidating

Another standout from testers was the tone of the app itself. Fitness spaces can often feel overwhelming - particularly if you’re starting from scratch or coming back after having children. 

Several testers said RWL felt different, with NumTum7 sharing: “I also liked the motivating but not guilt inducing messages they send and had quick replies to any messages I sent. 

“The guide to alternatives you can use if you don’t have equipment came in very handy so I didn’t feel pushed to go out and buy anything and my tins of beans as weights were used on multiple occasions!”

And Tink34 noted on the Power Pilates plan: “The app was great at making you feel good about yourself. Always encouraging. Gave good exercise advice.” 

That balance - supportive without being pushy - made it easier for many to keep going. 

4. Real benefits, both physical and mental

While some of our Mumsnet users noticed physical improvements, many talked just as much about the mental impact. 

StephanieJ87 reflected: “The best thing about working out again is my boost in mood. I forgot how good I feel after a workout. It gave me time for myself and I definitely felt a difference in my core strength and my pelvic floor strength.” 

Frandw91 echoed that: “I definitely felt an improvement in my mental health as well as my physical health. The plan focused a lot on breathing and pelvic core which were key areas.” 

And Insidenumber09 described a broader shift: “I stand taller, feel stronger and feel more confident in general. I forgot how good it feels to feel like you have worked out and achieved.”

For many, it wasn’t about dramatic transformation - just feeling better, more energised and more like themselves again. 

5. Variety, choice and progression 

Another strength of the RWL Fitness app is the sheer range of content available. From Pilates and strength training to postnatal recovery and short daily workouts, there’s a wide mix of plans to choose from. 

Amaksy highlighted the variety: “What I enjoyed most was the variety of workout, no two days [were] the same and the instructors differed too.” 

And nornironlady appreciated the flexibility: “There were different time lengths of classes depending on what time you can spare.” 

This variety makes it easier to adapt your routine depending on your energy levels, schedule and goals - something that’s particularly important for parents.

6. Community and support

RWL places a strong emphasis on community and this came through in the tester feedback, too. Users mentioned being able to connect with others, accessing support when needed and feeling part of something rather than going it alone. 

StephanieJ87 noted: “[...] there was so much to choose from as well as the community area which allows you to connect with others if you wish. You can even speak with the team if you want extra guidance and support.” 

And Insidenumber09 added: “I’ve also cooked some of the recipes and asked for recommendations in the friendly online community chat, everyone is so helpful and it’s lovely to see people achieving their goals.” 

That sense of support can be a powerful motivator - especially if you’re used to starting (and stopping) on your own. 

7. A realistic picture that’s not always perfect

As with any app, not every experience was completely seamless for our Mumsnet users and that honesty is important.

Some testers mentioned challenges around consistency (often due to life, not the app itself).

Tink34 said: “...i found that i wasn't consistent due to life duties getting in the way which was disheartening.”
Others like Amaksy noted practical considerations, like cost: “If cost wasn’t a constraint/ factor it’s something I would carry on with.”
And for some, the volume of content could feel a bit overwhelming at first: “I found the app so full of great sessions and advice, but this did feel like a bit too much at times and it made it difficult to find things,” shared ChocolateEveryday. But overall, these felt like manageable trade-offs rather than deal-breakers.

So, is it actually realistic for mums? 

From what our testers told us, RWL works because it meets you where you are. It doesn’t assume you have loads of free time or that you can commit to rigid schedules or that you’re starting from a particular fitness level.

Instead, it offers flexibility, encouragement and a range of options - allowing you to build something that works for your life. 

As one tester put it: “Perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle, highly recommend!” 

About RWL Fitness

RWL Fitness is a UK-based fitness and wellness app designed specifically for women, with a focus on building sustainable habits. Founded by Cecilia Harris and Lucy Mecklenburgh, it combines workout plans, nutrition guidance and mindset support, alongside a community of over half a million users. Content is updated regularly and designed to support women at different life stages, including pregnancy and postnatal recovery.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to give yourself some selfcare and TLC. Which is why she’s passionate about finding products and routines that genuinely work in real life.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in her local coffee shop or walking two dogs up and down country lanes.