By: Ari

Ari — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:06:20 +0000

Hm. now you’ve got me curious! I’m in the SF Bay Area and we have so many parks and greenery, I didn’t see the reason for this… but with my extra weight, I think I might just look into this.. thanks for the input, moms and dads!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:41:05 +0000

I agree with you Jenn. My husband attends every Stroller Strides Saturday class, as dads workout free on Saturdays and even with a gym membership, I would rather not leave my infant in a gym childcare where there are lots of all ages of kids running around, sick, not realizing there are babies there, and with all of the kids in and out all day long it can’t be that sanitary. I would rather be in a group of supportive moms and know who and where my baby is.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:20:52 +0000

When I first heard about Stroller Strides, I too was skeptical. Why would I pay money to walk my kids around the block in a stroller when I can do that on my own time for free? Then I tried Stroller Strides when they opened up a franchise in my area last June and let me tell you, it only took one class, 1 hr & 15 minutes, to change my mind. Frist of all, it’s not just for moms. In our group we have a grandma that attends with her grandson that she watches, we have a childless woman that attends with her sister and her two kids, and dads are welcome to join along any time (my husband has attended only a couple of times because he is too intimidated because he can’t keep up and I run with a double jogging stroller with a 3-year-old and a one-and-a-half year old). My group offers Family Saturday classes twice a month, which are geared towards the whole family coming out and exercising, plus we have working moms that are able to join us on those occasions. Stroller Strides has been my saving grace. I hate gyms, they are unsanitary and stuffy. I hate working out inside. With Stroller Strides, I am outside every day, (I live in Southern California, so we have only had to cancel class twice due to weather) I am with my children, I am getting a fantastic workout, and I am making new friends. There are tons of learning opportunities for the children as we are out and about the neighborhood; my daughter is learning directions “We are turning left here and turning right here,” they are counting along with us as we countdown our exercises, we are constantly singing songs to them (my 3yr old comes home and does Stroller Strides with her babies in her own stroller, she counts while attempting to do all of the exercises mommy does), plus they are seeing first hand how important exercise is as opposed to being sent into a dirty childcare center inside of a gym while a total stranger is hopefully watching my children. I am a shy person. I am not one to approach other moms at the playground. After having my second child I was feeling pretty isolated. I had all this weight to lose and no motivation to do it. My husband tried to be as supportive as he could, but unless you’re a mom, you just don’t know what it’s like. I have made so many good friends through Stroller Strides. I can come to these woman with my problems and they understand. I am also motivated to go to class every day. The only days I miss are only if one of the kids is sick, otherwise I am out there in the heat or cold working out. I have lost all of my baby weight and I am actually in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I am running my first 5k this weekend in San Diego and my goal is to eventually run a marathon. I would have never had these goals had it not been for Stroller Strides. My kids are thriving because their mom is thriving and there is no amount of money I wouldn’t pay for that! We are on a very tight budget, in fact I am probably going to have to go back to work soon, but I will still keep my membership and go on the weekends and to our Wednesday evening classes in the summer, this is one expense that will never be budgeted out of our lives. I encourage you to try out your local Stroller Strides, I don’t know how the whole mall thing will work out, but it is more than just pushing your kids around in a stroller.

Comments on: Stroller Exercise Programs: Dads are Fat and It’s All Moms’ Fault

By: Ari

By: Tracy

By: Jenn