Schooling Mothers in Fitness

Singing the ABC's while exercising can result in a full impact workout — that is, if you’re a mother with a stroller. 

With diaper changes, bottle feedings and play dates part of their daily balancing acts, mothers will often skip a trip to the gym to put their children’s needs first, but Stroller Strides is working hard to bring those exercise regimes back into moms’ lives by incorporating that time with their children.

"Stroller Strides is a mommy-and-me fitness program that allows moms to workout with their children, while creating life-long friendships with other moms," said Adele Arkin, owner of Long Island Stroller Strides.

Arkin’s interest in Stroller Strides began after her daughter, Maya, was born. But the nearest locations of this California-based company were in Westchester and Connecticut. So Arkin purchased the first franchise and brought Stroller Strides to Long Island. 

Now, four years later, Arkin has turned Stroller Strides into a Nassau County mom sensation, expanding her locations to include Long Beach, New Hyde Park, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Franklin Square and Lawrence. 

Two years ago Arkin brought the fitness program to Long Beach, which was especially close to her heart.

"There's a strong community of new moms here who are looking to stay healthy and meet other moms,” she said. “It's also where I live.”

Stroller Stride instructors sing children’s songs, work with hand puppets, blow bubbles, and dance around to entertain the child sitting in the stroller, while engaging moms in intervals of strength training exercises. The program in Long Beach, which begins and ends at Magnolia Boulevard playground, takes moms on the adjoining boardwalk, using the ramps and railings and exercise tubing for body toning.

"It's a better workout than moms think," said Jennifer Bavaro, Long Beach's Stroller Strides instructor. "It's a high impact cardio exercise that includes a upper and lower body workout."

Mary Stephens, who has attended classes on the boardwalk since 2010, enjoys the challenging, interesting and fun workouts that Stroller Strides keeps fresh, as well as the time spent with other moms.

"I'll continue to come as long as my daughter and I can," Stephens said. 

Stroller Strides meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Magnolia Playground.  For more information visit their website, www.strollerstrides.net/longisland.

Return to Patch later this week for Stacey Sweet's video that will feature Stroller Strides.