TAMPA, Fla. — Finding time to go to the gym can be challenging for new moms. However, there is a workout class in Tampa that includes the baby every step of the way.
They can be found rolling through Hyde Park Village on a regular basis. A group of moms, with their babies strapped in, going from block to block. The class is called Stroller Strides.
“So you know those four walls close in on you really quick and I didn’t have a lot of mom friends at the time and I was looking for mommy and me things to do and I thought, ‘hey bonus’ there is a workout that comes with this,” said instructor Amy Singh.
Singh has graduated from a member of the class to an instructor. She tries to make sure while the moms are getting fit at each stop, the babies are also having fun.
“We count down from 10 to 1 and up from 1 to 10 and I have bubbles, we sing songs, we sing ABC’s we sing Wheels on the Bus, all kinds of fun stuff that is interactive with the kids,” said Singh.
During each stop the moms do a series of exercises and then it’s back to pushing a 35-pound stroller, which doesn’t count the weight of the baby.
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Blair Merrills said it’s no fun working out alone and going to the gym requires a baby sitter. This is the perfect escape for her and her daughter.
“Just trying to get out of the house sometimes is difficult but it was a great way because she can just come along and when they are teeny tiny they just stay put and she slept most of the time,” said Merrills.
These moms say what starts as a workout leads to so much more.
“The mom gets some interaction with other moms and not just babies all the time and then she gets some developmental skills and playing with other babies,” said Merrils.
For more information on Stroller Strides go to tampabay.fit4mom.com.
