7 ways to blend fun and exercise with stroller

Top ways to blend loads of fun (and some exercise) with your stroller. Taking your baby outdoors is not only good for the baby, but also for you as you get to breathe some fresh air and give some exercise to your legs.

However, it doesn’t have to be just a boring walk, you can get creative. You can stand on a hover-board while pushing the stroller, you can go for skating (or ice-skating, depending on the time of the year). You can go cycling, or attach a scooter behind the stroller and have some fun.

If you had an active lifestyle before becoming a mom, and wish to go back to a similar routine, these activities should inspire you to get moving.

A Lot of parents are already doing these activities.

Fitness Activities With Stroller

Running with a Stroller

With a jogging stroller, you can go for long runs and have some great cardio exercise.

Jogging strollers tend to be a bit heavier than standard strollers because they are sturdier, so you will need to get used to them.

Related: Useful stroller accessories for hands-free running

Exercise Attachments / Accessories for Stroller

Here are a few more options (physical activities) that you can indulge in using your stroller. You get fitness kits that come with various exercise bands that you can use to work out when you are out strolling. You also get elliptical sticks that attach to a stroller and help you engage in more intense workouts while you walk.

Check out the various Stroller Fitness Attachments for working out with the stroller.

Related: Stroller workouts that you can do using your stroller.

Cycling with Stroller

Go cycling with your stroller. While there are lots of options for kids (strollers that convert to bikes and vice versa), there are limited options for parents who wish to cycle along with pushing the stroller.

You do have the option of cycling with your stroller, although its not a cheap option.

You also get strollers (hybrid between strollers and trailers) with bike attachments that can be pushed manually like any jogging stroller or can be attached to the back of an adult bike. Read more here.

Rollerblading / Outdoor Skating with Stroller

Rollerblading / outdoor skating while pushing the stroller is another interesting activity; more and more parents are going rollerblading/skating with their baby in a stroller. Read more here.

Ski Attachments for Strollers

Ski attachments for your stroller. Changing from blades to wheels (and vice versa) can be done quickly. Read more here.

Ice Skating with Stroller

Ice skating while pushing the stroller. A lot of ice skating rinks are encouraging moms to use the rink during non-peak hours. Not only is it fun for the moms to ice-skate with the stroller, using the rink during non-peak hours ensures everybody in the rink is moving at a safe pace.

Stroller Scooter

I am sure lot of parents would love to ride a scooter that is attached to a stroller. Sadly, there aren’t many options available. There is a stroller attachment (from Bob) that lets you scoot with the stroller, and a uniquely designed stroller that transforms into scooter. Other than, no accessory/kit available for adults that converts a stroller into a scooter.

Skateboard with Stroller

It was only a matter of time before someone came up with a design where stroller could merge with the longboard (after all it just requires strapping a baby stroller to the front).

European stroller designer Qunny has created a longboard with a stroller seat attached, named the longboard. Checkout the Skateboard Stroller (Longboard) as well as more DIY options.

Also Read: Cool Mom attaches skateboard to the stroller

Hoverboard with Stroller

Ride a hover board while pushing the stroller.

We have spotted so many parents taking their kids for a walk, pushing a pram – but not actually using their legs, but instead balancing on a hoverboard. Pushing a pram while rolling along on the battery-powered segway, started gaining popularity after several Hollywood A-listers were spotted doing that thing around LA. But please note that hoverboards are technically banned on the pavements in some countries as they are seen as ‘personal transporters’.

Gear for Family Adventures & Trips

Going out with your family is fun, be it for adventures or for some fun. But when you have children accompanying you, you need to be adequately prepared, especially baby gear.

While there are some efficient parents who can get by with the bare essentials, most other parents will require some gear to enjoy the adventures with kids. You will require the right gear for your outings with your little ones as, at times, even getting out of the house and into the car can be a process.

Here we take a look at a handful of useful products that you should consider buying for your family.

Chicco GoFit Booster Seat

Compared to car seats, a booster seat is less expensive and less bulky, which is especially relevant for family road trips. The GoFit Booster from Chicco is inexpensive and is small enough that you can easily stow it away when not in use. It is designed for kids from age four on up (40-110 pounds). It has double-layer foam padding and a contoured seat that make it comfy for your little passengers, even on long drives. Additional features include a belt-positioning strap, collapsible cup holders, and removable seat pad and armrest covers. There’s actually a carry handle, making it a convenient item for family road trips and vacations.

• Buy on Amazon

Sierra Designs Backcountry Quilt 15

Sleeping bags are great for most situations, but sometimes it’s nice to have something a little more versatile. For one thing, it can be difficult to regulate your temperature once you’re zipped into your bag. And younger kids sometimes don’t do well in the tight confines of a mummy bag.

Enter the Backcountry Quilt 15. It’s the latest addition to Sierra Designs’ collection of unique alternatives to the traditional sleeping bag. Although it’s more of a quilt than mummy bag, it can still keep you warm on spring nights when the temperature dips below freezing.

• Buy on Amazon

The Backcountry Quilt 15 is extra long, so it can comfortably accommodate sleepers of nearly every size. There are insulated hand pockets in the corners that make it easy to snug the bag up to prevent drafts. There’s even a hood to insulate your head on the coldest of nights. With the quilt’s 700FP DriDown, it’s rated to 15 degrees and weighs less than 2 pounds.

See Kai Run Johnny Shoes

When you’re out and about, it can be tricky keeping shoes on your little ones. Toddlers simply love tossing their shoes, whether they’re slip-ons or Velcro. See Kai Run shoes are known for their impressive “stay-on-ability.” The Johnny has a sturdy hook-and-loop strap that secures the shoes in place and is difficult for a child to remove on their own.

While these shoes stay snug on little feet, they also have a larger than average toe box, which allows for comfortable movement. It’s especially nice for larger toddlers with rapidly growing feet. You should note that they fit true to size.

• Buy on Amazon

These shoes have a padded collar and tongue, which reduces the pressure on your child’s feet. This ensures they’ll remain comfortable even with extended use. There’s also a full leather lining and insole to increase comfort and breathability. And the rubber outsole is super flexible for better traction.

Lightweight Stroller

When it comes to bringing a stroller on family vacations, it’s great when all you need to do is throw an umbrella stroller in the trunk. Umbrella strollers are so lightweight and compact that they’re never a hassle. But when you’ve got little ones, sometimes you need a more versatile stroller. Ask anyone who’s pushed an umbrella stroller around Disneyland for an entire day and they’ll tell you all about it.

You get lightweight, versatile and comfortable strollers with clever features to make it more convenient for parents.

Thule Multisport Trailers

Thule products usually stand out because of their precision components. They’re lean, mean machines. This is unsurprising, considering the company was born in Sweden, which is known for its efficient design techniques.

The Chariot multisport trailers are perfect for year-round family adventures. It can be used for biking, jogging and strolling, and the VersaWing system makes it easy to quickly convert the trailer for each activity. The components are actually stored onboard the whole time.

The trailer can also be outfitted with skis, though it’s not quite as seamless as the functions described above. If you’re a winter diehard and don’t mind the added effort, it may be worth checking into.

Is there any other baby gear/product that should be here? What are your favorite products for family trips? Let us know in the comments.

More Stroller Exercises That You Can Do Using the Stroller

When Stroller company Bugaboo came up with their advertisement that showed a scantily dressed mom running with their baby stroller, reactions of moms ranged from outrage over a seemingly unobtainable post-baby body, to people defending the model.

So, there is pressure on Moms to stay fit.

Now, even though it may not yet be possible to hit the gym daily, with a child in your life, you can still get the necessary workout done.

You can combine exercise with your regular routine, using the stroller.

Just pop your baby into the stroller, hit the streets, and do the exercises mentioned here.

Walking and jogging are some of the most common exercises that you can do with the stroller but apart from that, you can do more exercises.

Here are various exercises that you can do using the Stroller.

You can do physical fitness workouts and exercises such as strolling, jogging, stretching, lunging and yoga, while your bemused children have a good time watching, laughing, and clapping along.

Warm Up
Before you start, warm up with a five-minute jog or power walk. After each exercise, repeat the run or power walk for three to five minutes.

As a rule, if you find any of the exercises painful, it’s best to 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. Try to do around 15-25 reps.

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. Again, aim for 15-25 reps per side.

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. 15 reps per side.

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. 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. Do 25 reps.

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. Run this way for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat it four times.

Wrap Up

While becoming a mom is a great experience, most moms fail to regain the same body composition they had before pregnancy. You still may not find time to hit the gym and begin the workouts, but you can always make use of the time that you spend outdoors with the baby in the stroller.

There are several light exercises that you can do using the stroller, or you can even get involved in some fun activity such as skating if that makes you happy. Whatever, you do, just make sure you spend time outdoors, do some stretching, walk and get some fresh air.