In this month’s Women’s Running magazine (November/December 2009), there is a big article about getting fit with your kids. The article focuses on Stroller Strides with an interview with the founder, Lisa Druxman, how it works and how to find a good stroller…
First, who gets this magazine? Who’s excited that there is such a thing as a WOMEN’S RUNNING Magazine in the first place? Yeah! Moving in the right direction. But, the covers all look the same. Skinny girls in practically the same outfit every cover! Hello? What’s up with that? Where are the real looking women who do not run in jog bras out on the street? The only women who do that are the ones competing in a race and most likely they are PAID professional athletes. The rest of the world likes fitted, sexy, cute workout tops to go with our regular running shorts! And, no, I am not thorny on this issue.
Next up, “Get Fit with Your Kids”. Ugg. I can speak with experience that these workouts are designed for the few of you. I spent several months participating in one particular stroller workout (and flew to another state to try another one) and by the end of the first month I was A) Bored B) Not interested in singing to my kids while I’m in the middle of a workout C) Bored D) Not challenged. The thing that I noticed with these workouts is that they are designed to get a NEW MOM and a NEVER WORKED OUT IN THEIR LIFE MOM out working out. Which is great, if that’s you.
Here I am, Fit Mommy, slamming the stroller thing. Man, what am I some kind of snob? The thing is that coming from my athletic background, these workouts were easy. And, yes, it was a workout, but, really, how is it helping me get fit? Basically, it included an all around full body workout with approximately one set of each with a little bits of jogging in between. All the while, you are praying that kid A and kid B are happy and not pulling each others’ hair out, throwing things or trying to get out of the stroller. Sounds a bit stressful to me.
So, the stroller thing has its good points, though. Most importantly is bonding with other new moms. You will find the other athletic ones and make plans to go for a run later, cause this workout here in the park ain’t enough for us!
If you are a new mom reading this, it is definitely worth checking out. They all offer free classes, free week trials and such so that you can form your own opinion. These just didn’t work for me!
Anybody else have an opinion to share?
8 responses so far ↓
1 Kara from MamaSweat // Oct 28, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I haven’t done the stroller workout either but I’ve wanted to try it and have been invited to try it but here was my dilemma: I have three other children who wouldn’t be in a stroller. For safety reasons they want all kids in a stroller. So. If I’m going to get a sitter, I’m leaving ALL the kids with the sitter to workout sans kids. I agree though, nice concept for the new mom new to workouts.
.-= Kara from MamaSweat´s last blog ..Mother-Daughter Adventure =-.
2 Mary // Oct 28, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hi!
I have recently begun reading your posts and love them. I am owner of a kids fitness company that works very closely with Mommy-Moves a stroller based fitness company. I understand your opinion and have experienced the same myself until I started working with Lori from Mommy-Moves. I can go on and on about these classes and I guarantee – no wimpy workout, truly fits all fitness levels. Many of us are tri – athletes, runners, and former pre-kid weight lifting gym rats and then some of us are just looking to get in some activity and meet some other moms. The instructors are truly skilled at meeting all levels. One thing that we also started was Kids-Move (www.kids-move.com)- for moms with older children. They can take their own class that focuses on fun fitness games with the incorporation on nutrition in a fun simple way while mom gets fit with the younger sibling! I can go on forever as I am very passionate about our companies. I wanted to just give you a thumbs up for having a great blog spot and also just to reference not to put a blanket statement on all stroller classes – they are not all the same!
3 Lori // Oct 28, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Hi,
WOW, thank s Mar for the props! I agree…you are bashing stroller workouts in general, not fair at all. Mary is right, there are lots of out moms that participate in triathlons, and races. We just had 10 moms run a 5K, and more are running a 5 mile race in november. These moms use out “bootcamp” style stroller workouts as supplements to their other workouts and it works for them. The beauty of it is, anyone can come, because the workout is taylored to any fitness level because we level the class as beginner, and advanced. Oh…we also do not sing to the kids. I get your general post, and have heard about other stroller workouts that are “a walk in the park”, so I see where you are getting the info from. But if you are ever in NJ, check us out! You wont be bored! Thanks for letting us post!
4 Jack Brooks // Oct 28, 2009 at 10:55 pm
It’s increasingly hard for moms to find time for fitness, as we at http://www.familyfitnesspath.com have heard from many time-starved moms.
The family that can get fit together can get healthy, bond and save time.
And isn’t time the biggest issue for mom?
.-= Jack Brooks´s last blog ..Youth Fitness and Neighborhood Safety =-.
5 Stephanie R. // Oct 29, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I’m not exactly sure I follow the theme of your article entirely. Do you like Women’s Running Mag? Anyway, I think it’s fair to say that a stroller workout isn’t for everyone. But, consider all new moms for a moment – how many are athletes? These programs are designed for the average real mom needing to get out of the house, who need a workout and a social outlet. Obviously they are wildly successful there are several franchises and they span the country and Canada. Must be doing something right. They are making a difference in the lives of women everyday. Your blog may be meant for a particular fit mom athlete audience, but if that’s true, why bash stroller workouts? Just stick to your content and what interests your readers. You sound sort of put out and mad in this post.
6 Fit Mommy // Oct 30, 2009 at 3:21 am
Thanks for all the nice (?) comments here. I appreciate the fact that although I may write snarky- most of you get my drift that I tried two different companies and although I love the concept of the workout in the park, it just didn’t work that well for me and my two very active boys. I still have some really awesome friends that I met in my stroller workout programs.
7 Jamie W. // Oct 31, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I appreciate the viewpoint that you displayed in regards to the stroller workouts. It was never my cup of tea, however, a viable option for some. As a trainer and a wellness consultant, I have heard the resounding theme that it is hard to just “fit it in”. Stroller workouts are the answer for some moms and not others. Most importantly is no matter what your opinion is of those groups, you are doing what is right for you.
Great blog that you have hear and I am glad I stumbled across it!
8 Tiffany // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:30 pm
With Mikayla I could take her out for a run in the jogging stroller and she was normally happy for about an hour. Lily is not that way. I cannot even enjoy a 10 minute walk around the block with her. I would much rather go for a run by myself and have me time than jog with Lily. I do have to admit you get a much better workout running while pushing a jogging stroller with a kid inside.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Biggest Loser =-.
Leave a Comment