A toddler on the treadmill is not a good idea; neither is a baby on the weight bench. Andrea Kellough is hoping a stroller fit class will be better fit for new moms who want to work out with their little ones.
“It’s an exercise class outside that mothers can do with their strollers,” Kellough explained. “It’s a nice way to get a full-body workout without having to use a lot of equipment.”
After giving birth to her son Jackson a year ago, Kellough went to a stroller fit class in Waterloo Park with her cousin while she was on maternity leave. Now that she’s back to work part-time, she’d like to get a class going in Elmira.
It can be tough to keep a toddler occupied while doing a workout, Kellough said, but while they’re strapped in a stroller, they can’t wander off. Since the classes take place outside, there’s plenty for them to look at, including mom’s exertions.
“[Jackson] likes to laugh at me when I’m running,” she said.
He also enjoys watching her do lunges, when she disappears and reappears from behind his stroller like a game of peek-a-boo.
Moms don’t even have to work around their child’s sleep schedule, Kellough said.
“You can get away with doing an exercise routine and they can be up or asleep.”
Classes involve lunges, squats, running with a stroller and lots of work on the abdominals. Kellough is hoping to hold the sessions in Lions Park, where there are benches and bleachers that could be incorporated into a workout.
She is organizing the class under the mentorship of her cousin, Natalie Twomey, who leads Ultimate Stroller Fit in Waterloo. She said an Elmira group would work in a similar way; interested moms could buy a pass for $90, which is good for 10 sessions. The first session is free, giving them a chance to try it and see if they like it.
On top of the exercise and fresh air, the stroller fit classes offer moms and tots a chance to socialize.
“It’s a really beneficial thing for new moms to get out and network with other new moms,” Kellough said. “Being physically active is such a benefit coming back from pregnancy, getting yourself back in shape, and mentally, I think it’s a really good thing to be doing.”
Classes are planned for Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Anyone interested in joining a stroller fit class can contact Kellough at 519-669-0295.
