Striding toward fitness

RAPID CITY — Rapid City mom Heather Nelson signed up for the new Stroller Strides fitness class the first week she heard about it.

Since then, Nelson has packed up a diaper bag, double stroller and her three small children three times a week to take to the gym. Rather than being drained from the effort, Nelson says Stroller Strides has revitalized her.

“My endurance has increased. I have more energy. I leave here and I feel so good,” Nelson said after a recent Stroller Strides class at the National American University gym.

Increased endurance and energy are some of the goals Stroller Strides franchisee Crystal Ashley wants all of her clients to attain.

Ashley, 28, mother to

1-year-old Piper, began her 60-minute workout sessions in January targeting pregnant women, new mothers and even the dads who wanted to get into shape.

It turns out that they’re a pretty big crowd.

The United States had an estimated 5.5 million “stay-at-home” parents last year that included 5.4 million moms and 98,000 dads, according to an U.S. Census Bureau report.

Among these stay-at-home parents, 42 percent of the mothers and 29 percent of fathers had their own children younger than age 3 living with them. Thirty-nine percent of mothers and 30 percent of fathers were younger than the age of 35.

It simply made sense to dedicate a fitness program focused on that group, she said.

“Stroller Strides is the first of its kind in the state,” Ashley said.

Along with the strollers, water bottles, comfortable shoes and clothing, Ashley advises her clients to bring along some toys, snacks and formula bottles as well as the babies and toddlers. Children are definitely a part of the class.

“It makes it a special deal for the kids,” Ashley said.

At 8:45 a.m., the moms begin to arrive at the Thomas Jefferson Center. Jackets, gloves and hats are shed, children are strapped into strollers, and at 9 a.m., they’re off for a power walk around the gym.

They start with a 5-minute warm-up. During their

45-minute routine, the students will go through three body-toning exercises as well as stretches, lunges and an accelerated power-stride pushing their strollers. A 10-minute abs, stretch and cool down finishes the class.

Blended into the exercise routines are nursery rhymes, the chicken dance and singing of childhood favorites such as “Farmer in the Dell,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”

As mothers breeze by drinking from their water bottles, the babies in the strollers have started enjoying their bottles of breast milk and water, too. One woman breaks from the crowd, rushes to the bleachers, and digs through a diaper bag to retrieve a small package of crackers for her teething baby.

Physical fitness aside, one of the fun parts of Stroller Strides is the social aspect of it, Ashley said.

“While you’re at home caring for your children, you can feel a little isolated,” she said.

As a result of that, Ashley has incorporated Luna Moms Club to seamlessly following the fitness class. The club includes a built-in play group that meets on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., monthly community projects and Mommy Time, which offers discussions about books, music, craft projects and an occasional night out for dinner or a movie.

“It’s Mommy Time so ideas are more than welcomed,” Ashley said.

On a recent Monday, Nelson had her children Cori and Kaelyn secured in her stroller with her nephew Nicholas as she charged through her power walk.

“I wanted to lose weight and tone up,” Nelson said of her fitness goals.

Unlike many other fitness programs offered in Rapid City, Nelson likes that she can stop in the middle of her routine to breastfeed her baby. She can also make quick trips to the restroom with her children when needed.

“It’s a very comfortable place in that you don’t feel that you’re out of place bringing the kids along. The kids feel as welcome as I do,” Nelson said.

So far, she has lost 10 pounds, but she’s also formed new friendships.

One of her friends is Mystie O’Donnell.

O’Donnell, 30, usually brings Valianna, 19-1/2 months, and Kashton, 4-1/2 months, to class. A busy mom, O’Donnell is up at 6 a.m. getting her four children fed, dressed and into the car so she can drop off her older children at school before going to her fitness class.

Although O’Donnell hasn’t lost any weight, she has noticed changes in strength and flexibility since giving birth to Kashton, compared to previous pregnancies.

“I feel that I’m in a lot better shape,” she said. “I have a lot of back problems so I have to be careful when exercising, but this doesn’t hurt.”

She also appreciates that Ashley welcomes children to tag along at class.

“I love being able to bring my kids. When there’s no school, I bring my older kids with me. They love it,” O’Donnell said. “My 6-year-old brings along her stroller and comes with me when I do my power walk.”

By Jomay Steen. Contact: 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com
Via: www.rapidcityjournal.com