New moms get in shape, with kids in tow
Program takes the needs of both mothers and babies into consideration
For new moms struggling to find the time — or child care — necessary to get out and exercise, Fit 4 Two instructor and franchisee Callie Camp has some good news: Fitness doesn’t have to mean leaving the baby behind.
“Stroller fitness is a way for women who have just had babies to get out with their babies, exercise with them, enjoy the beautiful parks around us, [ and] have some muscle and cardio conditioning built in,” she says.
Camp’s class is designed to make new parents and their young ones feel welcome, first and foremost by embracing the flexibility required to keep babies fed, happy, and even involved during the classes.
“There’s a sense of normalcy for women who are just getting back into things [ and] not really understanding ‘ Well what if my baby cries or what if I have to feed them?’” Camp says.
“In our classes it doesn’t matter. That’s normal.”
A typical hour- long stroller fitness class will combine a variety of fitness styles to offer as complete a workout as possible, including cardio drills, basic weight and resistance
training, and power walks with strollers.
Exercises allow parents to be close to their kids throughout
and within reach at almost all times.
“For the last 20 minutes or so we’ll come inside, get out the yoga mats, do some core work, some stretch work,” Camp says.
“Babies sometimes come out of the stroller at this time to take part.”
Camp says the average parent will bring their baby to one or two classes a week.
For those looking for a more thorough workout or training to get back into shape, intensive boot camp classes are also available.
No matter the intensity, the opportunity to exercise in any capacity is more than enough for many parents. In addition to offering a rare opportunity to exercise without lining up child care, stroller fitness classes are often a fun way for parents to bond with their kids, Camp said.
“Getting out of the house is sometimes not stress- free but definitely once you come into class I see most women within their first couple minutes are [ all] smiles and endorphins.”