The 10 secrets of StrollerFit

1. It's been documented in several articles and studies. When you push a stroller, you are burning more calories than walking alone. Us moms are always looking for a way to multi task and StrollerFit does this.

One article claims walking at a brisk pace can burn 100 calories, a brisk walk with a stroller bumps that up to 180 calories! Not only will you be able to squeeze in that exercise, but you'll also be more efficient while doing it. ediets Diet & Fitness blog

2. Walking with a stroller is not the only secret weapon of StrollerFit. Many of our exercises use resistance bands and tubes. The principle behind these is strengthening the muscle on the lengthening phase, much like pilates. This creates long, lean sexy muscles.

3. The weighted mommymuscle bar combines strength and resistance into one exercise. Using the muscle in both directions, increasing muscle strength. Muscle burns more calories than fat..so more muscle is good.

4. Your body burns calories while you are doing a cardiovascular exercise, like a brisk stroller walk. Do a StrollerFit class adding resistance training to that cardio and you'll keep burning calories for up to 48 hours after you're done.

5. No one has ever asked me why we sing in StrollerFit, or why I'm always encouraging moms to sing louder. Seems obvious right? Nice loud singing entertains our kiddos, what baby doesn't enjoy Ring around the Rosy, or what toddler doesn't like picking the farm animal for Old McDonald? True, but there is a bonus reason. When you sing, your uptake of oxygen increases. Making the effort of singing while exercising even more challenging AND building cardiovascular fitness. AHHH HAAA!

6. Adding imbalance to our exercises with the mommymuscle ball, or by doing them on one foot engages the core muscles, improves the proprioception sense and challenges the body even more. Balance is also a sense that will decrease overtime if we don't continue to challenge it. Weight bearing, gravity based activities increase our sense of balance and keep it from diminishing as we age.

7. Combining weight, resistance and imbalance really bumps up the calorie burn and effectiveness of the workout as a whole. Making the most of the short time moms have to exercise each day.

8. Above all, I believe the greatest part of the mommymuscle theory used in StrollerFit is that it allows a new mom who is also new to exercise to work at her own level, while working out right next to a mom who has exercised her whole life and is also being challenged. Now that is an all levels class.

9. The social advantages of working out with other moms are obvious. We love being in the company of others who understand we may need to stop to explain to our toddler why she can't hit her sister, or stop to nurse a baby who woke up late and is off schedule. It's also just fun to be around other moms in general.

10. Last but not least, I bribe the kids. Stickers, fun songs, tickling feet...it's all to get them to ask you "mom, are we going to StrollerFit today?" No not really, I just adore kiddos, but it's an advantage for sure.

So, the secrets have now been revealed. You now know why you were able to go from 34 squats to 48 in an 8 week time period, why your pants fit and why you're now able to unload the dishwasher while balancing your toddler on your hip without falling over.

See YOU in class mamas!

Mom N Tot Yoga...now enrolling!!

So excited to annouce we're ready to get rolling on this class format!

Mom N Tot Yoga NOW ENROLLING
Experience this new class format, it's a yoga workout for both parent and child. Increase self confidence, connection and more as you exercise together!

Two 8 week sessions available:
Evening SessionJune 16th - Aug 4th 6:30-7:15pm
Stepping Stone Learning Academy
Morning Session
June 19th -Aug 7th 10:30-11:15am
Dance2DRhythm Studio

$125/family - register by 6/4 $145/family - register after 6/4 up to 3 family members $40/extra person supply fee (fit n fun mats): $60/adult, $30/child

FREE DEMO CLASS
June 4th 10:30am
Elk Grove Park

ENROLL TODAY! 916-690-7624

mom n tot yoga comes to Elk Grove

Yoga for Kids? Oh yes! Jonna Byars, PhD. Our adult lives have become so rushed and overscheduled that we rarely have time to stop and take a breath. And we often mistakenly assume that children do not suffer from stress related symptoms. After all, kids don't have to work, pay bills, or deal with difficult people, so what could they possibly have to worry about? But even very young children have worries and feel stress. Stress is a function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them, regardless of what the demands are. And although we do not like to think about it, the stress that parents feel has a direct effect on the stress levels of children. Much concern has been voiced about obesity in children. Over the past three decades the obesity rate has doubled for children aged 2-5 and tripled for children aged 6-11. An important cause of this shocking development has been identified as lack of activity. Research has found that if you instill a love of activity at an early age, children are much more likely to remain at a normal weight throughout their life. To help kids manage their stress and fight obesity we have to find a way of exercise that involves their whole being, including their physical body, mind, soul, and heart. This makes yoga the perfect solution. When presented in a child's language, yoga can help counter the stress experienced by young people living in a hurry-up world. In fact, yoga is a mandated part of physical education classes in the State of California for elementary education. And ever since its implementation, teachers report that their students are much more relaxed and are able to learn at deeper level. Why yoga for kids? Research has found the following benefits for children: 1) Children experience many of the same physical benefits adults do from practicing yoga. Yoga strengthens and exercises them. It makes them more flexible, coordinated, balanced, and less likely to suffer an injury.
2) Yoga for kids also enhances self-awareness. Children who practice yoga learn early on to tune into their bodies and become aware from the inside out. This self awareness, which few adults posses, helps the child focus. Self esteem is bolstered as children gain control over their bodies and minds.
3) Yoga for kids enhances imagination and empathy. When they stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or stand tall like a tree, and are asked to imagine what it would be like to be those life forms, not only do children use their imagination, but they also develop understanding and reverence for all life. When the principle of interdependence becomes apparent, children learn early on to connect with other life forms on the planet and realize that similarities far outweigh differences.
4) Yoga teaches children to have fun and move their bodies in a con-competitive environment. Yoga isn't about being right or wrong, or being best or worst. It is about bringing awareness to one's own life. And children can work together to help each other reach this goal.
5) Yoga for kids teaches self-discipline. As part of the practice of yoga, kids need to slow down, hold certain postures, breathe or think in a certain way. Yoga encourages children to master themselves rather than wait for an adult to control them. 6) Yoga for kids can also be a way to strengthen families. Yoga is an exercise that parents and children and even grandparents can practice and talk about together. As children participate in yoga with their families, they feel closer to their loved ones. 7) Through practicing yoga, children can learn ways to relax and get control of stress in their lives. A child worried about a presentation, for instance, might use the breathing techniques of yoga to help her calm down and focus. I am excited to present the first yoga program created for children and their parents. This program, Mom 'n Tot™ Yoga, utilizes storytelling, games, music, partner stretches, and other arts in a curriculum that engages the "whole child." Our program engages the entire mind, body, and spirit in a way that honors all the ways children learn. Moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers will also reap the benefits of yoga in this format. All children, ages 3 & up are welcome.

FREE demo class June 4th 10:30 am at Elk Grove Park. RSVP today! Eight week sessions begin in June. More information: 916-690-7624 online at www.strollerfit.com/elkgrove