Training with Resistance Bands

If you've never been to a Stroller Strides class perhaps you've never had the satisfaction of working out with a resistance band. You are missing out!
Resistance bands are rubber tubes with handles on each end. They vary in the resistance they offer. At Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh we use the SPRI Xertube in green (less intense) and red (more intense) and if you're feeling particularly tough... both at the same time! For some reason no one has taken me up on that last option yet. Yet.

Why tubing? Easy!

• Tubes are inexpensive. At Stroller Strides classes we sell replacement tubes for just $10 (grn) or $11 (red). They are also available at many sporting goods stores and online but don't go too cheap... quality matters!
  
• Resistance tubing is very portable. My tubing has been all over the US and Mexico on family trips. Those hotel workout rooms are always a disappointment but I'm never without a means to exercise when I've brought my tubing along. Plus- seeing it in my suitcase reminds me to fit in a workout on those busy family trips!
• Tubing is versatile and effective. You can target all major muscle groups with your resistance tubing exercises. Lower body? Target your medial glutes by side stepping with both feet on the band and a handle in each hand. Upper body? Challenge your biceps by stepping on the band with one or both feet, one handle in each hand and performing a standard bicep curl. You get the idea.
  
• Its virtually impossible to achieve this look... maybe you consider that a disadvantage?

So, have I sold you on resistance bands? If you're still not sure then come join me for a Stroller Strides class and I'll show you! And if you need to replace your bands or are ready to upgrade to a higher intensity band just drop me an email: missycurrin@strollerstrides.net and I'll get you set up with a new one.

Straight From the Heart

I met this sweet mom, Holly Kryter, at my Stroller Strides Instructor training course in Washington, DC in 2010. She owns the Knoxville, TN Stroller Strides franchise and stars in this video (part of a series from their local TV station called "Straight From the Heart"). Its always fun to see what other classes are up to across the country and to hear moms talk about what it means to them to be a part of the program! Enjoy...

Free Stroller Strides Classes this week at all Midtown Raleigh locations!

Try Stroller Strides for FREE during the week of

June 20-24th, 2011!

The North Hills Mall & The NC Museum of Art Park

Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh would like to invite all local moms out to try our program for a full week at no charge! Join us for up to 5 classes for free. Please note: this offer is not valid for those holding an active Membership, Class Pass, or Living Social voucher.

Schedule:

• Monday, 6/20: North Hills Mall @ 9am
  


• Tuesday, 6/21: NC Museum of Art Park @ 9am
  


• Wednesday, 6/22: North Hills Mall @ 9am


• Thursday, 6/23: NC Museum of Art Park @ 9am


• Friday, 6/24: North Hills Mall @ 9am
  

Locations:

• North Hills Mall (Midtown Raleigh): Meet in front of the movie theater


• NC Museum of Art Park (Midtown Raleigh): Meet in between the East & West bldgs

Interested in signing up for Stroller Strides?

Don't miss our special Membership & Class Pass discounts--

this week only!

Commonly-Asked Questions:

What should I bring?

Please bring a sturdy stroller, a towel or mat for ab work, water, walking/athletic shoes and attire, and any toys/snacks for the little one/s as desired.

Do I need to pre-register?

You can pre-register so that your info is on file by clicking here. However you can also show up on any day (or every day!) between June 20-24th to attend class for free. We suggest arriving 10-15 minutes before the start of class.

What is Stroller Strides?

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for moms that they can do with their baby or stroller-age child. The hour-long workout includes power walking and intervals of body toning, using exercise tubing and the stroller. Taught by nationally certified instructors who are trained in pre- and post-natal fitness, it's a great workout for any fitness level.

Fitness for Mom, Fun for Baby

In addition to providing a great full body workout for moms, we engage the children throughout our classes through songs and activities, keeping baby entertained while mom exercises. We welcome moms and babies from 6 weeks to any age that they’ll stay in a stroller (usually about 4 years old).

More than an Exercise Program

Our program also offers our Luna Mom Playgroup at no additional cost (click here for Midtown/North Raleigh area) that consists of weekly playgroups after class, monthly moms night out activities and special community events. Don't put it off any longer... come join all the Stroller Strides fun!

We hope to see you soon!

-Team Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh

I Challenge You To... An Advanced Plank Combination!

Our ongoing 10,000 Strides Challenge started as a result of many of you looking for some healthy competition. In April I had 2 or 3 moms in one day say to me, "I need a challenge to kick my booty into gear" (or something along those lines). So now that we're halfway through... are you ready for another challenge? One that works your core?

We did this advanced plank today in Stroller Strides class and it sure is challenging! Practice it at home (as long as you've been okay'd to exercise by your physician or midwife) and we'll do it again in class soon!

Fit4Baby Prenatal Exercise Classes start this weekend!

And its not too late to join us for Spring Session 1! Pregnancy is the perfect time to commit to you and your baby's health. Exercise is an important component to your pregnant well-being, as well as your strength as a new mom. Our instructors want to help you be FIT FOR MOTHERHOOD!

What is Fit4Baby?

Fit4Baby is a prenatal fitness program that teaches women how to exercise safely and effectively throughout their pregnancy. Each nationally certified instructor is trained in providing pregnant women with exercises that are safe and appropriate for their changing bodies. Fit4Baby classes are interval based, combining elements of strength training, cardiovascular exercises and stretching and balancing exercises.

When are Classes?

9am-10am on Saturday mornings... perfect for the working mother-to-be! Classes meet in 5 week sessions and cost just $60/session.

Spring Session 1: April 2nd-May 7th (no class Easter weekend)

Spring Session 2: May 14th-June 18th (no class Memorial Day weekend)

Summer Session 1: June 25th-July 30th (no class on July 2nd)

Where are classes held?

Classes meet outdoors at the NC Museum of Art Park and utilize the park and greenways as our open-air exercise studio!

Who should sign up?

All pregnant moms who have been cleared by their physician to exercise. All fitness levels are welcome. Please make plans to leave other children at home with a caregiver as this class is a special time for moms and moms-to-be only!

How do I register?

Register below with Paypal and you will be contacted within 2 business days with Registration confirmation and additional information.

Fit4Baby Registration

Spring Session 1 $60.00 Spring Session 2 $60.00 Summer Session 1 $60.00

Registrant's Name

Email Address & Phone #

Unused classes may be rolled over into future Fit4Baby sessions or credited towards future Stroller Strides classes. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions at (888) 760-0142 or missycurrin@strollerstrides.net.

Registration is now open for Fit4Baby Prenatal Exercise classes!

What is Fit4Baby?

Fit4Baby is a prenatal fitness program that teaches women how to exercise safely and effectively throughout their pregnancy. Each nationally certified instructor is trained in providing pregnant women with exercises that are safe and appropriate for their changing bodies. Fit4Baby classes are interval based, combining elements of strength training, cardiovascular exercises and stretching and balancing exercises.

When are Classes?

9am-10am on Saturday mornings... perfect for the working mother-to-be! Classes meet in 5 week sessions and cost just $60/session.

Spring Session 1: April 2nd-May 7th (no class Easter weekend)

Spring Session 2: May 14th-June 18th (no class Memorial Day weekend)

Summer Session 1: June 25th-July 30th (no class on July 2nd)

Where are classes held?

Classes meet outdoors at the NC Museum of Art Park and utilize the park and greenways as our open-air exercise studio!

Who should sign up?

All pregnant moms who have been cleared by their physician to exercise. All fitness levels are welcome. Please make plans to leave other children at home with a caregiver as this class is a special time for moms and moms-to-be only!

How do I register?

Register below with Paypal and you will be contacted within 2 business days with Registration confirmation and additional information.

Fit4Baby Registration

Spring Session 1 $60.00 Spring Session 2 $60.00 Summer Session 1 $60.00

Registrant's Name

Email Address & Phone #

Classes will be canceled and tuition refunded if minimum enrollment of 4 participants is not met by the Wednesday prior to the beginning of the session. Unused classes may be rolled over into future Fit4Baby sessions or credited towards future Stroller Strides classes. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions at (888) 760-0142 or missycurrin@strollerstrides.net.

Pregnancy is the perfect time to commit to you and your baby's health. Exercise is an important component to your pregnant well-being, as well as your strength as a new mom. Our instructors want to help you be FIT FOR MOTHERHOOD!

Space is limited- register early!

A Prescription for Prenatal Exercise

Years ago, women were told to decrease their physical activity during pregnancy. Now, we see that this may have contributed to the obesity epidemic. Almost all experts now agree about the numerous benefits of exercise during pregnancy. We know that it lessens or alleviates almost every discomfort of pregnancy. It helps create better childbirths and healthier babies. Yet, many pregnant women are still uncertain about how much exercise is safe and often feel it is better to abstain. Recent studies indicate that it is the doctors who are most likely to influence how much or even if their clients exercise during pregnancy. For this reason, I hope that doctors realize their tremendous responsibility in educating their clients about safe prenatal exercise.

Interestingly enough, the approach for exercise prescription for pregnant women does not differ much from that of non-pregnant individuals. Women who didn’t previously exercise can begin exercising during pregnancy so long as they start slow and build up gradually. I would recommend the same to someone who wasn’t pregnant! Of course, you should check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Here are some good recommendations for a woman experiencing a healthy pregnancy:

• Exercise most if not all days of the week.
• You should exercise approximately 30-minutes per day.
• You can participate in most physical activities. Of course, you should evaluate risk of falling or abdominal trauma in a sport (and Scuba diving should be avoided).
• Heart rate is not reliable for determining exercise intensity. Instead use a talk test or an RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale.

Remember, exercise during pregnancy has many benefits. Consider prenatal exercise classes with educated professionals to support you through a healthy pregnancy. Talk with your doctor and find out what is right for your pregnancy. When you take good care of yourself during your pregnancy, you give your baby a first gift of health. You are not only getting fit for you, but Fit4Baby® and fit for motherhood!
Orginal article by Lisa Druxman, Founder of Stroller Strides.

Fit4Baby class registration is now open! Email Missy at missycurrin@strollerstrides.net to register or for more information!

Do I really need to workout during my pregnancy?

Did you always picture your pregnancy to be the time where you could finally have an excuse to stop exercising and eat for two? Unfortunately, you need to erase that picture. Pregnancy may be one of the most important times of your life to exercise. The benefits go to both you and your baby! First off, exercise alleviates or lessens almost every discomfort of pregnancy. Isn’t that reason enough to keep exercising?

What we won’t do for ourselves, we will do for our children. Research has shown that the babies of exercising mothers are born healthier, have less body fat at birth (this is a good thing), are calmer and may have cardiac benefits of a lower fetal heart rate. Basically, when mom exercises, the baby gets similar benefits from the training.

Here are some tips to get started:

1. Visit your doctor or midwife to get the "all clear" to exercise... just to be on the safe side!
2. Look for a prenatal exercise class when possible just so you know your instructors are specially trained. Of course, we would love to see you at one of our Fit4Baby classes!
3. If you weren’t working out, start slowly and build up gradually.
4. Drink enough water. While this is true for the non-pregnant population as well, it’s important for the baby’s health that you stay hydrated.
5. Listen to your body. While exercise is safe, it is important that you don’t overdo it and don’t get overheated.
6. Be consistent. Being inconsistent with your workouts can be harmful to your baby. Your workouts may change but you do want to maintain a level of fitness throughout your pregnancy.
   

Remember, ACOG recommends that pregnant women exercise at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day on most days of the week so long as you are having a healthy pregnancy. This is your first step to being a “healthy role model” for your child
Original article by Lisa Druxman, Founder of Stroller Strides.

Fit4Baby class registration is now open!
Please email Missy at missycurrin@strollerstrides.net to register!

Benefits of Prenatal Exercise

A well-meaning friend recently asked me this question, "So, is your new Fit4Baby class going to be easier than Stroller Strides, more of a love-my-body-deep-breathing type thing?" Um, no. I'm all for love and deep breaths but Fit4Baby class is about getting fit for motherhood! We're going to get our heart rates up, strengthen and stretch our muscles, and learn how to take care of our bodies so that we're ready for motherhood when it inevitably arrives! Do you know what prenatal exercise can do for your changing body? Check this list out!

Benefits of Prenatal Exercise:
Exercise can help decrease or prevent:

• Constipation
• Swelling of your extremities
• Leg cramps
• Nausea
• Varicose veins
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Gestational diabetes
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Pelvic and rectal pressure
• Surgical or medical interventions in delivery
• Urinary incontinence
• Postpartum weight retention
• Anxiety
• Depression

Exercise can help improve or increase:

• Circulation
• Self-esteem; sense of well-being
• Functional capacity
• Muscular strength and endurance
• Energy levels during pregnancy
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Posture and biomechanics
• Recovery time

Join us for Fit4Baby classes this fall at the North Carolina Museum of Art: Museum Park on Saturdays at 10am! Contact Missy at missycurrin@strollerstrides.net to register.