Guest Post - Best Exercise Classes For You and Your Children

Finding time to stay fit and spend time with your kids can be a tall order, especially when they’re younger and need you to be around on a regular basis. Fortunately, with a wide variety of different fitness classes available to choose from, you might be able to do both at the same time if you live in the right place.

These classes combine activity that is friendly to both you and your baby or toddler, where you’ll be in a group of mothers who all have their children with them, or at least nearby.

In this situation, you know it won’t be frowned upon to have your child with you, since all the other people in the class will be in the same situation. These classes are designed to not only give you a good workout, but to accommodate your child and give them the opportunity to move around and be active as well.

The more you can get your child involved in an active lifestyle, the more likely they are to take on that lifestyle once they’re old enough to start playing outside and participating in sports.

Here are five types of exercise classes that are conducive to you and your young ones:

1. Water Aerobics

While not all water aerobics classes are explicitly intended for moms and toddlers, most classes are actually going to be toddler-friendly, therefore, you should have no trouble bringing your child into the pool using a floating device of some sorts.

If your child maintains good spirits and enjoys the water, you can get through a class while interacting with your baby and getting what you can out of the class.

Keep in mind that if your baby needs attention, it’s “ok”. In a class, you don’t need to constantly follow the instructor, as it’s perfectly acceptable to take a breather and then jump back into the workout when you’re ready.

2. Stroller Strides

Stroller Strides is a class that incorporates running, jogging and power walking, as well as strength and toning exercises, all designed to be stroller-friendly for you and your baby.

The classes also come with a free membership to the Plum Mom’s Club, which is a community that gives you the opportunity to form friendships and relationships with other moms, as well as organize play dates and other family related activities.

It’s important to take your child out for a walk in the stroller anyway, therefore, you might as well enjoy it in the format of a fitness class that will challenge your body and give you access to a certified fitness instructor.

3. Baby Boot Camp

Developed by Kristen Horler after her first pregnancy, Baby Boot Camp is an exercise program for moms, designed to emphasize strength training and get moms back to pre-pregnancy fitness levels. There’s also a focus on building the strength required for parenting toddlers and the general activities of motherhood.

Horler, who has experience as a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor, designed the program to be workable without the need for a personal trainer, babysitter or a gym membership, which is great news for any new mothers looking to get in shape.

Staying Healthy for your Kids

There’s a balance to be struck when trying to maintain your health alongside of raising your kids. On one hand, you don’t want to neglect your children in favor of spending too much time pursuing exercise.

On the other hand, you don’t want to neglect your health, which is just as important to your ability to spend time and take good care of your children.

In the end, it’s a tough balancing act, but classes like these make it a little bit easier and are designed to help you keep a happy medium.

In a sense, they help you get the best of both worlds.

Virginia Cunningham is a freelance writer from Southern California who specializes in health and wellness. As a mother of three, she is always finding creative ways to involve her entire family in fun, healthy activities, particular yoga.