Building Strength Postpartum: Helen Simkins’ Success Story

Helen Simkins is from Fishtown and has been a member of CrossFit Renaissance for two years. She is a mom of two children, and she joined with a goal many can relate to: losing weight and building strength postpartum.

A Welcoming First Class

Her goals were to lose weight and build a stronger core after having her second child. She shares that getting back to her pre-baby body has been more challenging this time around. She decided to make a step toward change and join a RenFit class.

Walking into CrossFit Renaissance for the first time, she felt nervous about walking in alone but was instantly welcomed. Her first class was a Renfit Drop-in class. Helen said, “I first arrived for a drop-in session with RenFit on a Sunday. My friend Laura Huth had arranged for me to come. I was a little anxious as I knew she was running late, and I wasn’t going to know anyone else and wasn’t sure where to go. But as soon as I arrived, Patti came up to me, saying I was expected and had me set up with the waiver to complete. That was such a great feeling to be welcomed into the class like that. I loved the class and the rest is history, nearly 3 years later.”

After building strength postpartum

Within two years, Helen has grown in more ways than she originally planned. Before, her goals were focused on weight loss and core strength, but she has now seen Weight loss, Stress relief, improvements to mental health, and, most of all, she has gotten stronger. All these changes show how fitness for moms can evolve past physical results.

“I have seen great gains in my core strength, overall strength, and fitness. So, goals have changed a little, less emphasis on weight loss and more on continued fitness and strength gains, and toning.”

She has even completed the Broad Street Run, and said this about how her CrossFit training impacted her run: “The training at the gym for BSR is invaluable, I have such a strong strength base level now that I never would have if I wasn’t going to the gym. It’s been making picking up the mileage so much easier and faster than if I weren’t going to the gym. I really saw this back in Feb when I did a 5 miler race with minimal runs and the max only being 3 miles, and I was able to complete the race feeling generally pretty good, not the fastest in the world by a long shot but not much slower than other years when I had been doing more running but not attending the gym.”

She has also completed the CrossFit Open, representing CrossFit Renaissance. “I really loved doing the CF open. It’s amazing to see what a great community we have at the gym, and just all around fun. It was also really interesting seeing how I match up to the world and how just getting one pull-up really impacts your position in the rankings. I was sad with my work travel. I wasn’t able to be a part of the open as much this year, but I plan to sign up again next year :)”

Finding Community through fitness

Along the way, she has experienced some unexpected outcomes, her favorite being the community and friendship that have come from CrossFit Renaissance. Here’s what she has to say about that:

“The great community and friendship with the group has been a fantastic, unexpected outcome. I’m a very competitive person, so having a supportive group to help push me and support me has been a great asset to joining CFR. I love that we have a great range of personalities, ages, and fitness levels in the group to inspire and help me become a better me.”

Beyond the physical results, she has gained something equally valuable: time for herself. “It’s been harder getting back to my pre-baby weight/body shape after the second one. I’m now 4 years older and in my 40s, but coming to CFR has really helped. I don’t think I would have been able to achieve my goals without the support of the RenFit group. Now that I work from home every day, it’s great to have a reason to get out of the house and do something for myself without the kids.”
Her advice to anyone nervous or struggling to start?

“Just keep coming, and you will find your groove in friendship in time, and the more you come, the easier it gets. If you set up a habit of coming to regular class is the way you will see results.”

Helen Simkin’s journey is a powerful example of how postpartum fitness and building strength postpartum can transform not just your body, but your confidence, routine, and overall well-being. Looking ahead, she’s excited to continue building strength, improving her fitness, and staying consistent. While her journey may look different from it did at the start, one thing is for sure: she’s stronger, happier, and committed to becoming the best version of herself.

Curious about RenFit or would you like to learn more about your next steps? Book a No-Sweat Intro, click here!