Stroller Fitness Classes Are Coming to Bunker Hill

It gives new meaning to the phrase 'mommy and me.'

Photo of Jennifer Phelan by Abby Brack provided

Photo of Jennifer Phelan by Abby Brack provided

As a new mom, Pilates instructor Jennifer Phelan knows how difficult it can be to find the time to workout. That’s why she created the new “JPPilates Stroller Camp” as a way to get new moms outdoors and socializing. The class runs every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and is being held at Bunker Hill Monument, which is a popular spot for fitness these days.

The unique workout makes your baby a part of the process, so there’s no need to hire a babysitter. Phelan says that the class will begin with a warm-up stroll around the monument to focus your mind and calm your baby. Then, participants will utilize their stroller’s handle bar as a “barre” for balance during a challenging lower body sequence. The last part of class will feature targeted mat Pilates exercises.

“As a new mom I now understand how truly difficult it is to find the time to workout,” Phelan says. “Before I had my son, I thought that because I’m a fitness instructor I would be different and it would be easy for me to workout at home with my baby. After all, you do have all day. How hard can it be? Turns out it’s really hard. Some days impossible.”

Phelan says that after giving birth, she started back on her fitness journey by going on long walks with her baby. “The movement soothed him and allowed me the much needed time to squeeze in things like walking lunges and barre based moves,” she says. “I would throw my yoga mat in the stroller and roll it out at the park where I used him as a prop to do my ab work. The older he got, the heavier he became and the harder the workout was! The fresh air and the movements worked and most important my baby and I were both refreshed and happy. That’s when I knew I was onto something and wanted to share it with other new moms, too. If I needed it, I knew they did as well.”

Phelan says that her goal in creating this class is to “empower Boston moms” and let them know that you can be fit and feel great without having to sacrifice time with your baby. “This class isn’t just about working out,” Phelan says. “It’s about community and support. We are all going through the same thing and we all ‘get it.’ We’re in it together.”

Babies are welcome to stay in their strollers during the entire class or the little ones can even be used as props to enhance the workout and add some bonding time for mom and baby.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; $15 per person, pre-registration required; dareufitness.com; classes will be canceled in the event of rain, BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat)

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Photo by Abby Brack provided