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.
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
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.
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