Staying fit as a mom has its challenges. Of course, this is nothing new to any mom out there who maybe has traded in her gym equipment for a baby stroller.
Yet with a little ingenuity a resourceful mom out with the kids can adapt. Believe it or not there is a new fitness craze sweeping the land that utilizes the stroller – even a Bumbleride Indie twin -- as a fitness device. Classes are springing up everywhere that promise to whip new moms into shape while keeping baby entertained in the process.
"The idea is to use the stroller as a piece of fitness equipment and doing exercises that actually rely on the stroller, or workouts that can be done while your baby is in the stroller," says Lisa Druxman, founder of San Diego-based Stroller Strides.
One smart mom developed a nationwide strength-training class that is based on strollers of any make and model. She started teaching how to lift strollers to a few local mom's in a way that mimicked a gym workout. The program became so popular that now she has over 300 centers nationwide teaching her methods.
Another popular program is Strollercize, which began 15 years ago in New York's Central Park. Other stroller fitness programs include Baby Boot Camp in Sarasota, Fla. And StrollerFit in Cincinnati, Oh .
Although most strollers will do fine, even Joovy Caboose strollers , you can also buy strollers specifically built for workouts.
Burning Post-Baby Fat
While each program is unique, they all emphasize lengthening and strengthening muscles, as well as building cardiovascular endurance, burning post-baby fat, and maximizing flexibility.
All good programs start with a warm-up, followed by power walk with baby. After that a body toning break is suggested. For this you might try lunges or squats using your stroller to brace yourself. If you've found a nice park for your toning break you might try using a park bench or table to aid doing pushups of situps.
Amy Clay, of StrollerFit, says the company's "MommyMuscles" workout targets the core muscles of the abs and torso, which are overused often during and after pregnancy.
"MommyMuscle is a program that offers a specific combination of cardio and strength training, that when coupled with good eating habits, is a recipe for postnatal fitness success," says Clay.
More Than a Workout
These baby stroller combo/workouts are a lot of fun for babies, which makes them not only helpful for moms but provide excellent entertainment for baby. You could even bring along some bubbles and mix in songs and games for the kids to enjoy.
The Social Benefits Are Awesome Too
Of course, most moms join stroller programs for the exercise, but often these gatherings offer many social benefits. Often new moms become isolated after they start a new family and may have a feeling of being disconnected from their peers.
So why not look for a class in your area if you'd like to stay fit, enjoy quality time with your baby and meet tons of new friends.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron enjoys scrap-booking and writing. She hopes to realize her goals and become a full-time freelance writer. Working online allows her to work at home and be close to her family. Her husband has recently nicknamed her The Walking Infomercial because she loves to learn new things to write about.
Staying fit as a mom has its challenges. Of course, this is nothing new to any mom out there who maybe has traded in her gym equipment for a baby stroller.
Yet with a little ingenuity a resourceful mom out with the kids can adapt. Believe it or not there is a new fitness craze sweeping the land that utilizes the stroller – even a Bumbleride Indie twin -- as a fitness device. Classes are springing up everywhere that promise to whip new moms into shape while keeping baby entertained in the process.
"The idea is to use the stroller as a piece of fitness equipment and doing exercises that actually rely on the stroller, or workouts that can be done while your baby is in the stroller," says Lisa Druxman, founder of San Diego-based Stroller Strides.
One smart mom developed a nationwide strength-training class that is based on strollers of any make and model. She started teaching how to lift strollers to a few local mom's in a way that mimicked a gym workout. The program became so popular that now she has over 300 centers nationwide teaching her methods.
Another popular program is Strollercize, which began 15 years ago in New York's Central Park. Other stroller fitness programs include Baby Boot Camp in Sarasota, Fla. And StrollerFit in Cincinnati, Oh .
Although most strollers will do fine, even Joovy Caboose strollers , you can also buy strollers specifically built for workouts.
Burning Post-Baby Fat
While each program is unique, they all emphasize lengthening and strengthening muscles, as well as building cardiovascular endurance, burning post-baby fat, and maximizing flexibility.
All good programs start with a warm-up, followed by power walk with baby. After that a body toning break is suggested. For this you might try lunges or squats using your stroller to brace yourself. If you've found a nice park for your toning break you might try using a park bench or table to aid doing pushups of situps.
Amy Clay, of StrollerFit, says the company's "MommyMuscles" workout targets the core muscles of the abs and torso, which are overused often during and after pregnancy.
"MommyMuscle is a program that offers a specific combination of cardio and strength training, that when coupled with good eating habits, is a recipe for postnatal fitness success," says Clay.
More Than a Workout
These baby stroller combo/workouts are a lot of fun for babies, which makes them not only helpful for moms but provide excellent entertainment for baby. You could even bring along some bubbles and mix in songs and games for the kids to enjoy.
The Social Benefits Are Awesome Too
Of course, most moms join stroller programs for the exercise, but often these gatherings offer many social benefits. Often new moms become isolated after they start a new family and may have a feeling of being disconnected from their peers.
So why not look for a class in your area if you'd like to stay fit, enjoy quality time with your baby and meet tons of new friends.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron enjoys scrap-booking and writing. She hopes to realize her goals and become a full-time freelance writer. Working online allows her to work at home and be close to her family. Her husband has recently nicknamed her The Walking Infomercial because she loves to learn new things to write about.