Stroller Strides Review (Part 1)

Working out after baby…I’m not quite there yet. Even after my third, I haven’t mastered a regular exercise routine while juggling motherhood. And you know what. That’s OK. I’ll get there. Eventually. 

There was a time I was so committed to working out that I swam laps at the gym by 6 a.m. or spent a good portion of my Saturdays running. There was even I time that I ran the Chicago Marathon. The picture is proof! 

With the ebb and flow of pregnancy and postpartum healing, a steady workout rhythm isn’t quite there yet for me. But there’s no doubt about the mood-boosting feeling I get from exercising and how it positively impacts my day. 

So back in July, I jumped at the chance to try out a class through Fit4Mom. As it turns out, it’s the nation’s leading prenatal and postnatal fitness program to support every stage of motherhood. With two little kids and a third on the way at the time, this felt like the perfect way to ease back into a group exercise class. At nine months pregnant, I attended their Stroller Strides class for a month. (Here are my thoughts the morning of my first class).

Here are three things I loved about the class as a pregnant mama:

1. Kids are welcome to join! In fact, they play an integral part of the one-hour class which includes a combo of strength training, cardio and core workouts while entertaining your tot in tow (in a stroller, of course!) with songs and interactive activities. Child care has always been a workout obstacle for me, whether I wasn’t crazy about a gym’s child care option or they simply didn’t have one, so bringing my child to a workout class made it that much easier to get my butt there. 
2. The class caters to all fitness levels. I hadn’t worked out in months (and then some!) when I attended the class this summer. Plus, I was carrying an extra 30+ pounds of baby. Yet, I felt like I could participate in all the activities and the instructor always had an alternative exercise.
3. The class is all about positivity and encouragement. I left every class feeling uplifted. Plus, it was a bonus to connect with other mamas of young kids. 

I’m now eight weeks post-partum and ready to continue Stroller Strides with my littliest one in tow. As a new mom (again), I’ll share an update in a Part 2 review later this fall on my experience with the class.

For you fellow moms out there, do you follow a regular exercise routine? If so, what works best for you?

XOXO,

Emily