Thursday, February 26, 2009
Stroller Strides: Pack up and bring the kids
A nationwide fitness program being introduced to the Roanoke area caters to mothers with stroller-aged children, encouraging them to bring the children along for the workout.
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Johanna Ferguson stretched her arms overhead and began marching in place.
"Let's warm up," she said, then started leading her class of one in shoulder shrugs and squats.
Aside from being held inside Tanglewood Mall, Ferguson's exercise class might seem a pretty normal one. A few minutes are spent warming up. And there's cardio and strength training, too.
But both the instructor and student were moms pushing jogging strollers. Ferguson's stroller held her vivacious 2-year-old daughter, Eve. And last Thursday's class included Chrystal Creswell and her daughters, 2-year-old Eden and 9-month-old Olivia.
"Olivia thinks it's exciting. She hasn't cried yet," Creswell said. "And Eden loves it. She has a lot of fun."
Stroller Strides is an hourlong exercise class for mothers with babies and stroller-aged children. The idea is that mothers can include their children in the class, instead of trying to find a sitter, and mothers and their children will bond while exercising.
The American Exercise Council listed Stroller Strides as one of the top 10 fitness trends in 2009. Offered in more than 800 locations across the United States and Canada, Stroller Strides classes just recently became available in Roanoke.
Ferguson offers her classes three times a week, at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She asks everyone to meet inside the mall in front of J.C. Penney, where warm-ups begin. Anyone interested in the class can just show up, Ferguson said. The first class is free.
Ferguson also works as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Gold's Gym in North Roanoke with her husband, Anthony. Extremely passionate about helping others get fit and being a mom, she said, "I've been in fitness now for over 10 years. And I love being a mom. So far it's been really fun just seeing moms get together and work out. And not only have a great workout, but a bonding experience."
Angela Porter, who works at Gold's Gym with Ferguson, is making plans to begin her own Stroller Strides class inside the gym. Porter said the class should begin next month and will meet at least three times a week.
Porter explained her passion for the program. "I am a single mom and have a 312-year-old son. One of my struggles was finding time to exercise. He's there with me and he has his social needs met as well. It will give him a chance to socialize."
Ferguson's enthusiasm is apparent as it transcends this class. "I think moms are extremely time-challenged -- whether or not they work outside the home," she said. "Motherhood is demanding and moms always put themselves last."
Ferguson is also starting a free play group next month that will meet once a week. She said she hopes the group will have mom's night out events and give back to the community through Moms With a Mission.
