| Stroller
Strides fitnesss instructor Jennifer Lungren
demonstrates the ab pull which can be done while out
walking baby. |
 |
Once you
have a baby, it’s easy to let exercising fall to the
wayside. After all, if you can barely fit in time to shower,
then making time to work out may seem as extravagant as taking
a quick trip to the moon.
But
while hitting the gym daily with an infant or tot may be
nearly impossible, getting your workout done doesn’t have to
be. Simply pop your baby into the stroller and hit the
streets.
Jennifer
Lungren, an instructor in Virginia for Stroller Strides (a
fitness program for moms with tots), shared her best tricks to
working out with a baby on board.
Before
you start, warm up with a 5-minute jog or power walk. After
each exercise, repeat the run or power walk for 3-5 minutes.
If any of the exercises are painful, stop immediately.
Squat:
Starting
in a standing position with your hands on the stroller
handlebar, place your feet hip-width apart with your feet and
knees facing forward. Sit down as if you’re moving backward
into a seat, and squeeze your glutes and thighs to bring
yourself back into the starting standing position. Push the
stroller out as you sit, and pull it back in as you come up.
Reps
15-25
Side
plie squat:
With
your right side facing the stroller and right hand on the
stroller, stand with your toes facing out and take a large
step away from the stroller. Squat down, dropping your bottom
as low as you can with your body weight in your heels, pushing
the stroller away from you. As you come up, pull your right
leg in to meet the left leg. Repeat all the reps on this side,
and then switch sides.
Reps
15-25
Walking
lunges:
Standing
behind the stroller with your hands on the handlebar step
forward with your right leg. The stroller will move forward as
you move forward. Bend your front knee to a 90-degree angle so
that your right thigh is parallel to the ground and your right
shin is perpendicular to the ground. Your back leg should be
almost straight. Keep your torso upright with your hips and
shoulders facing forward. Use your right leg to return to your
starting position. Don’t use your stroller to help lift you;
it may tip backward if you put too much weight on it. Instead,
use the power of your front leg. Alternate with the other leg.
Abs
pull:
Face the
stroller with your right side, standing with your feet no more
than hip-distance apart with your toes facing out. Use your
right hand to push the stroller away while reaching overhead
with your left arm. Your right arm should extend out straight.
Use your abs, focusing on the left side, to pull the stroller
back. Go through all the reps and then switch sides.
Reps 15
Cardio
baby tickle:
Standing
in front of the stroller with your feet together, jump your
legs apart and lower your bottom into a squat position with
your body weight in your heels. As you lower, reach forward
with your arms and do a tickle motion toward your baby, but
don’t actually touch your baby, as this could put stress on
your lower back.
Reps: Do
this for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat four
times.
Peek-a-boo
stroller crunches:
Lie on
your back next to the stroller facing your baby with your feet
flat on the ground, knees bent at 90 degrees. Put your hands
behind your head, keeping your elbows back. Squeeze your belly
button to your spine and crunch up. As you come up, peek into
your stroller, saying "Peek-a-boo" to your baby, and
lower back down. Exhale as you come up, keeping your elbows
back.
Reps 25
Cardio
drills:
Standing
in front of the stroller, bend at the knees and push your hips
back, running with your feet staying as low as possible.
Reps Run
for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat four times.
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