Back to Fitness: Exercising with Kids in Tow

It’s 5:30 a.m. and your alarm clock goes off. You really need to wake up and go workout because even though it’s back to school for most moms, you still have little ones running around, so you have to get your workout in early.

After several snoozes, you roll over and hit the off button, telling yourself – no big deal, I’ll get my workout in when my husband gets home tonight. 6 p.m. rolls around and it’s been a long and tiring day, so there is not even a CHANCE you are putting your workout clothes on and going to exercise. More like your jammies.

Sound familiar? Fortunately for you, there are several different options around Jacksonville where you can workout with your kids in tow. There are “Mommy and Me” style workouts where both you and your child participate, or there are several places where you can bring your child, to a gym or even a park, where you workout while they play.

Right after I had my first daughter Addison, I heard the term “Mommy and Me” and immediately thought of moms walking around with their babies singing Kumbaya. But after I took my first stroller boot camp class I realized how wrong I was.

I used to consider myself a hardcore fitness buff, but I couldn’t walk for days after my first boot camp. I felt like I had been run over by a truck – in a good way! Most of the people who teach these type of classes realize how precious your time is and how important it is to make the most out of the hour or so that you are with them.

 

Boot Camp Style Workouts

There are several “Mommy and Me” boot camp style workouts around Jacksonville, usually held at parks or other public places. You can bring your kids with you and they can play (or stay in stroller) while you burn major calories. I may be slightly biased because I’m an instructor here, but Jax Stroller Strength is a great one because they offer classes every day of the week at different locations throughout Jacksonville. It’s a great use of an hour because you get an awesome workout with certified trainers and your child gets a giant play date with all of the other kids! Not only will you get a great workout, but you will also get a chance to connect with other moms and make lasting friendships.

Jax Stroller Strength

 

Yoga and Pilates

If you prefer something a little less intense or just want to stay indoors, a “Mommy and Me” yoga or Pilates class would be a good choice. Arch Pilates in Mandarin offers a class in which mom and child workout together and discover ways to make exercise fun. Many of the exercises that are taught are ones that are easily done at home and help teach mom how to workout while playing with your child. The instructor also teaches a class where your baby is used as a weight! With a pediatric physical therapy background, she integrates proper stretching and strengthening of the babies and working on motor milestones such as sitting, walking and tummy time.

Another class to check out is Bay & Bee’s Sway and Play Yoga class. It’s for crawlers and younger and is structured so that child can participate with the mom in the yoga poses. It’s more of a restorative yoga class, geared towards postpartum moms. It’s great because the huge play area is right in view so if you have older ones, they can take advantage of it if striking poses with mom doesn’t sound like fun for them. Bay & Bee offers many other classes with a membership.

Bay & Bee

 

Local Gyms

If you’d rather not have someone asking you for a snack or crawling on your back in the middle of a workout, then a gym with child services may be your answer. A lot of the gyms around town have child-care centers that you can take advantage of while you get to go relax and enjoy your workout. Take a spin class, do some yoga, or just relax in the sauna! Here is a list of gyms with childcare services in Jacksonville:

  • Bailey’s (with the exception of the Atlantic Beach, Northside, Orange Park and Parental locations)
  • LA Fitness (all locations)
  • World Gym

The YMCA is also another great option as each location has a KidZone with a friendly and professional staff and state of the art facilities. Children can engage in arts enrichment projects, participate in educational activities and burn some energy by playing with friends. Group exercises classes are also offered at each location.

 

At Home Workouts

Working out at home is obviously the most convenient and inexpensive way to workout with kids in tow. Check out Jena’s post from a while back for several online at-home workouts that can be done in the comfort of you own living room. If your kids are anything like mine, they some how turn hungry, thirsty, bored and just plain needy as soon as you start to exercise at home. So my advice would be to wait until nap-time. Most of the exercises Jena offers in her post are 25 minutes or less!

Mommy and Me

 

So don’t even bother setting the alarm tonight. Go ahead and sleep in. Casually wake up and have your coffee, then head to workout whenever you please. Ok, we all know this is not how it happens, but at least now you have several options to get your workout in besides at the crack of dawn. Whichever method you decide, just know that exposing your children to exercise at such a young age not only teaches the importance of a healthy lifestyle, but it also shows them that exercise can be fun, especially with mom!

Check out Around Town for a complete list of Mommy and Me classes, gyms and more.

Bridget
Bridget was born in Jacksonville but raised in Tallahassee where she developed a strong love for soccer and other sports. She went on to play soccer for the University of West Florida where she met her husband, John. After earning their graduate degrees from Florida State University, they moved back to John’s hometown of Atlantic Beach where they now reside. Bridget worked in the finance field for several years and is now a stay at home mom and the mother of a fun-loving, very energetic daughter Addison, and her adorable newborn daughter Cameron. She recently became certified as a group fitness instructor and teaches class two days a week at Jacksonville Stroller Strength.

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