Courtesy of Fit4Mom
Trying to stay healthy and fit while balancing a growing family? No need to forget about your personal health and fitness goals just because you are a mom. Several places throughout St. Louis provide awesome opportunities to get an effective workout, meet other moms, and introduce kids to the importance of physical activity.
Fit4Mom is one of the groups that provides classes for moms in the St. Louis area. The group found a way to encourage what it calls “strength in motherhood” at any stage of a mother's pregnancy, whether prenatal or postnatal. All classes are taught by certified and specially-trained fitness instructors and can be taken by those with any level of fitness background.
Fit4Mom’s signature class is called Stroller Strides. This total fitness program provides an excellent full-body workout moms can do with their babies and toddlers. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using tubing, the stroller, and the surrounding environment.
Kristy Gann, owner of the west St. Louis County Fit4Mom, was an active and enthusiastic member of Stroller Strides when she and her family moved to Chesterfield in the fall from Alexandria, Virginia. Once their move was solid, she started looking into the local Stroller Stride scene so she could get started right away and discovered there was an opportunity to take over the franchise. She took the plunge. She says she loves the program because of the great friendships, mom support, and, of course, the fantastic workouts. She is a mother to two girls aged 2 and 4 who love it when “mommy goes to her exercise group” with them in tow.
Courtesy of Fit4Mom
To take Stroller Strides, moms must be at least six weeks postpartum, have a doctor’s clearance for exercise, and own a sturdy stroller with brakes as well as an exercise mat. Bands are provided for use during the class. The first class is free if you sign up for an account on the Fit4Mom website. (If you are hoping to take classes in the city, visit this page; if you are hoping to take classes in west St. Louis County, visit this page.)
In addition to Stroller Strides, Fit4Mom also offers Fit4Baby and Body Back classes. Fit4Baby offers an opportunity for moms to strengthen their body throughout their pregnancy, and Body Back uses eight-week sessions of high intensity interval workouts, nutritional coaching and assessments to help moms get back to their pre-pregnancy body.
Since they strive to be a supportive group, Fit4Mom also plans play groups and mom-nights-out every month.
For the month of August, the group is cutting its registration fee for new members to $15 from $75. The current schedule offers classes on weekdays at 9:15 a.m. The schedule changes each season to accommodate the weather.
Fit4Mom provides a way for moms to get started on a workout schedule as well as an opportunity to get out of the house to exercise and socialize. Doing this will benefit moms, especially new ones, by helping prevent feelings of isolation and depression that are common during postpartum. In addition, exposing your child to classes like these can help promote a healthy lifestyle early on, as well as be a fun bonding experience.
Amanda Meyer is a NASM certified personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist and weight loss specialist. She’s also a certified group exercise instructor and new mom. To find out more information you can follow her on Facebook at Fit Chic Training LLC.
