Rolling Workout Helps Moms Stay in Shape
Would you like to play peekaboo with your baby while doing squats?
Or ramble the Riverwalk pushing toddlers in strollers while building leg strength and killer abs?
All this and more is available in a class called "Stroller Strides."
Stroller Strides is a franchise purchased by the city of Chattanooga. The downtown Sports Barn manages the class for the city, said instructor Laura Bowling. Personal trainer Lisa Druxman started the company in San Diego, Calif., six years ago while on maternity leave.
Workouts are 50 minutes of walking and toning at stations, with 10 minutes of abdominal conditioning or stretching.
Resistance bands for toning are provided. In good weather, workouts are done outdoors in city parks and along downtown’s Tennessee Riverwalk.
Classes are open to children of any age, as long as they like to ride in a stroller, Ms. Bowling said.
If a baby is too fussy to work out, the company promises to credit you a class.
"Our first priority is the happiness of your baby," according to the Stroller Strides Web site.
Class activities range from running races to building core strength.
"It’s as hard as the mom wants to make it," Ms. Bowling said.
The class has been operating in Chattanooga since September, 2005, she added.
Losing weight after giving birth, getting back in shape after post-partum recovery and spending quality time with a new baby are some of the main reasons members said they participate.
"My weight hadn’t changed since I came home form the hospital and this has really helped," said Kate Kenney, a 26-year-old Chattanooga resident who exercises with her 7-month-old son, Will.
Bonding between mother and child, and parent to parent, is also key benefit of the class, members said.
"It’s a chance for mothers not only to get exercise but to talk to other adults," said Laura Wendt, a 44-year-old Chattanooga nurse who works out with her two-year-old son, Carter.
About 25 women are actively taking the class, Ms. Bowling said. Pregnant moms are welcome. Currently, no dads are enrolled, but men are welcome to attend, she added.
Anyone with a child who wants to workout by pushing a stroller is invited, she said.
That’s because, in the end, it’s really about the babies. While the moms work, the babies get a fun ride.
"Our goal is to make the babies happy and keep the babies happy. If the babies get fussy, we move on," Ms. Bowling said.
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