Stroller workouts bring local moms health and community

I discovered Fit4Mom just before my oldest was born in 2016. During my maternity leave, and long after, I would bring my baby to the park, get a great workout, and find sanity in the trials of early motherhood. Their stroller workouts are specially designed so that both moms and babies leave with their cups filled and that is no small feat.

On that chilly morning, moms and babies alike came to the North Carolina Museum of Art Park bundled in jackets, gloves and blankets (for the kids!). I assure you that by the end of the workout, many jackets had been stuffed underneath the strollers. We began with a “get to know you” question with some basic moves to start warming up our bodies. We went around the circle as each mom shared the one non-negotiable thing they do for self care everyday. Answers varied though some of my favorites were coffee, showers, daily naps for the sleep deprived, and, of course, exercise.

We moved around the park to different “stations” where we would focus on strength, mobility, and cardio moves. The frequent location changes allowed us to run/walk and kept the kids entertained. I am also consistently blown away at how every fitness level can get exactly what they need from these workouts. There are different levels and modifications for every single move, giving every mom the permission and ability to do what she can on that day. When the baby is teething or going through a sleep regression, you probably won’t have the same energy levels as a day when you get a solid 8-hours (or dare I tempt fate, more).

Towards the end of the workout, some of the babies were getting a little fussy but both our talented trainer, Krista Casale, and other moms in the group started singing and dancing mid-workout, to make that little boy smile and let his mom finish her workout.

We finished up with some ab work on the mat and stretching. The kids all clearly have a favorite part of every workout, that moment when they can come out of their strollers and we all sing The Smile Song together, sung to the tune of My Bologna Has a First Name.

As the workout drew to a close, Missy pulled out a box of supplies for the play date. The kids made snowman sensory bottles while the moms circled up their mats to chat. Every woman there that chilly morning left with a smile on her face, including myself.

While all this is my account, I reached out to the community to hear what others had to say.

“I love that it's a community of moms supporting and encouraging other moms. I tell my husband that my Fit4Mom classes are like me putting on my airplane oxygen mask first so that I can safely and sanely take care of my family. I always feel energetic, confident, and level-headed when I leave a Fit4Mom class!” - Marie Richters Fuchs

“I absolutely love that no matter what I have going on - if I’m rushing to crochet a hat, I have a broken toe, everyone is screaming - no one is judging. Every mom is so kind and welcoming and has been since day 1. It’s a community of moms who do nothing but support each other even though we’re truly all so different.” - Katie Werts

“When I moved to Raleigh ten years ago I didn’t know anyone in the state. I went to a Stroller Strides class the first Monday with my toddler and I’m still friends with many of those same moms. Sometimes when I was having a hard day, that hour with other moms was the best hour of the day.” - Elaine DellaNoce

“Without a doubt Fit4mom saved my sanity. Having my first child in December was tough since going outside for a stroll wasn’t really an option. I found Fit4mom after a quick Google search and immediately signed up! I’ve not only made lifelong friends but I loved it so much I decided to become an instructor for their prenatal program. I love being able to give back to a community that helped me get through my first year of motherhood.” - Crystal Gift

While the class I went to was a stroller workout, there are many options for every stage of motherhood and level of fitness from prenatal workouts for expecting mamas to Body Boost, high intensity interval workouts where the kiddos stay home.