As a new mom, I was eager to resume my fitness routine. When I was ready to exercise again, I could barely escape to attend my weekly yoga class. Then it got too cold and I couldn't go walking outside. Working out at home sounded easy, but it never really happened. The first winter at home with my baby was hard not only because that's how life with a newborn is--not being able to stay active had me feeling down. When I discovered Wheee Get Fit & Play about a year after my son was born, I was hopeful that I could get myself back into shape and try something new with him.
I'll admit, I thought "stroller fitness" was just women walking together around a park. At least I could bond with other moms, which was exactly what I needed. After all, I wasn't exactly competing in a Cross Fit box before I had Macaroni Ben. I began taking classes this past fall.
It was a big adjustment to go from my pre-baby workouts, which consisted of walking and yoga, to pushups, squats and jogging. But I wanted to get in shape and I didn’t want to leave my son in the germ-ridden child care room at the gym. So I put on my big girl panties and did the burpees, the lunges, and a bunch of other moves that I thought I could only tackle when I was in college.
The Fun Side of Fitness
This isn’t a “stroll in the park” fitness class, but at the same time, the bootcamp-style classes are for women of all fitness levels. Led by Katie Lawlor, a local mom who started Wheee Get Fit & Play in 2015, each workout is different. About 15 to 20 moms attend each class, which are typically held most weekdays in mornings and evenings (the schedule varies depending on season). You begin warming up with walking or jogging, go through different sequences including different stations. Sometimes you’re put into a small group or paired with another mom, which helps everyone get to know each other. We used a lot of simple fitness equipment--resistance bands, hand weights, glider discs--that you can incorporate into home workouts.
At the end of 45-minute sweat fest, the kids enjoy a 20-minute mommy-and-me segment. Katie likes to mix things up with different programs for the kids after workouts. She brings in different kid-friendly programs so parents can experience other local offerings, and offers various crafts and activities for the children. For example, we got our own party with Santa before the holidays.
To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have gone to a high-intensity impact training (HIIT) class if I didn’t have Ben because I knew it would be a challenging program. Because I could be with Ben and fit in a good workout at the same time, however, I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad that I did! Katie’s motivational style kept me feeling empowered each time I went. She offers modifications when needed, and the other women in the class have the same non-judgmental attitude. Better yet, they encourage each other. That goes a long way for moms who have recently delivered or haven’t worked out in a while.
Exercising with Kids? Yes!
Here’s how you get a workout in with kids. Most of the time, the children are in their strollers. Some are infants, others are preschoolers. The format is mixed, so we would so some reps or sequences and then take breaks to jog or walk, so your stroller never sits still for 45 minutes unless you want it to. Being able to constantly move and interact with Ben was great because he didn’t like sitting still. Some of the bigger kids play while the moms workout, otherwise your child is in the stroller. But you can take the baby out if you need to, and the vibe there is so relaxed that it’s completely okay to take a break to breastfeed if you want. I saw some moms incorporate their kids into the workouts, lifting them instead of weights. There were a few times when I lifted Ben from his stroller and lunged with him…it was fun! It really enhanced the bonding potential.
The classes are challenging, but they're not difficult. You can modify moves, and Katie encourages everyone to go at their own pace. Don't want to jog? Just walk--there are other moms who aren't into running, either. Don't want to use weights? You don't have to. That's the vibe that makes Wheee Get Fit & Play so special, and so perfect for moms.
Classes are held at Orchard Park in Manasquan during the warmer months, and move to Mad Dog Lacrosse, an indoor fitness facility, in Manasquan in the middle of fall. Classes generally cost about $4 to $13 per session, depending on the package you buy. You can purchase per-session packages or pay a monthly fee for unlimited classes, too. Plus, there are no contracts! When you sign up, you get access to a member-only Facebook group that keeps you connected with the other local moms.
A Positive Place for Moms
Here’s the best part of Wheee Get Fit & Play: It’s Katie. The feel-good vibe of the class is all Katie. Whether she is cheering the women on, sharing a funny parenting moment or coaching moms one-on-one, she perpetuates an accepting, fun atmosphere. The class rocks because of the foundation she has set, and the program certainly wouldn't be as successful without her upbeat spirit. The other moms are all friendly, and we all look out for each other’s kids as we chat and sweat. Sometimes just knowing they are there gives me a pick-me-up when I need it. I’ve also made a few friends!
The physical challenges, the time with my son and the time with other moms was exactly what I needed. Now I crave working out. Yes, even though I complained about jogging or burpees, I was having fun. Plus, now I feel more equipped to keep up with Macaroni Ben. And on days I can’t get to class, I have a slew of at-home exercises I can actually do. After a few weeks, my body started feeling so much better. It helped me regain healthy eating habits, too.
Having a place to go where you can exercise and give your child social experiences is such a blessing. Add to that a fitness instructor with a huge heart and a genuinely kind personality, and other moms who follow suit, and you’ve got much more than a place to break a sweat.
My experience at Wheee Get Fit & Play has been nothing but positive, and I continue to attend classes. Not only did it give me and Ben a place to exercise and socialize…it gave me a sense of belonging that is much-needed as I continue to navigate life as a new parent.
Looking for a fun way to stay fit, meet other moms and get your little ones involved? Learn more about Wheee Get Fit & Play, or follow it on Facebook. Katie's running a free week of trial classes the week of January 14th--check it out!
Note: I received classes free in exchange for a review and advertising. But I'm still going to attend on my own because I enjoy this program so much.
