*By guest blogger, Kathy Casciani
As any new mom knows, sometimes it is all too easy to put exercise on the back burner. Sometimes just fitting in a shower can seem daunting…never mind making it to the gym. After my daughter was born just over a year ago, a fellow mom suggested I try Stroller Strides, a national fitness program that was designed for moms with stroller-age children. Founded in 2001 by San Diegan Lisa Druxman, the class enables moms to get out of the house and work off the baby weight without having to find a sitter or put their child in daycare. Classes are offered in various locations throughout San Diego, but the good news for La Costa residents is that there’s a Stroller Strides class held right on the grounds of the beautiful La Costa Resort and Spa.
A typical La Costa Stroller Strides class begins at 9am and lasts for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Class meets at the fountain near the spa entrance, and moms run or walk to various workout stations located around the property. Instructor Ann Ross mixes things up weekly with a variety of routes, exercises and stretches that focus on different parts of the body. To keep crankiness at bay, the energetic Ross entertains with bubbles and an occasional song or two. At the end of class, moms can let their infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers out of the strollers for tummy time, playtime or sometimes an activity organized by the playgroup captain. The resort’s recently renovated Marketplace coffee shop is also a popular post-class gathering spot for the moms and kids.
And the benefits of Stroller Strides extend beyond fitness…monthly vendors such as Happy Baby and Lori Liz offer special raffles, services and discounts to members. Moreover, Stroller Strides provides a forum for new moms to meet, share advice and offer support to each other during a pivotal time in their lives.
We recently got a chance to catch up with Stroller Strides founder Lisa Druxman:
Q: When and how did Stroller Strides begin?
A: It started in 2001 in Encinitas. It was one of those “a-ha” moments – I had been in the fitness industry for a decade at the time and thought of creating the workouts while on a stroller walk with my own baby.
Q: How many women were in the very first class?
A: Just four! We had 12 locations with 1,000 moms participating by the end of the first year.
Q: What kind of workout can participants get from Stroller Strides that they can’t get from a gym or yoga class?
A: It’s one stop shopping – fitness for mom and fun for baby. It’s a great way to meet other moms, have some mom and baby fun time and get in the best shape of your life.
Q: Can women still participate if they don’t have stroller age kids?
A: We have Body Back classes (bodybackworkout.com) for when moms are ready and/or wanting to work out on their own.
Q: How many Stroller Strides groups are there around CA? Outside CA?
A: We have 20 locations in San Diego and 1,300 locations nationwide in 41 states.
Q: How does Stroller Strides address the fitness needs of a variety of women?
A: It’s a great workout for someone just getting back in shape but also for someone looking for a strong workout. We are able to adjust the intensity depending on each person’s needs. We work hard to create a very welcoming, supportive environment for mommies.
Q: What is the future of Stroller Strides?
A: We want to be all things fitness and health for moms of any age. Expect more classes, services and products to help raise healthy moms in a healthy world.
La Costa Stroller Strides is held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 9am. To sign up or get more information about Stroller Strides, click on www.strollerstrides.com.
*Kathy Casciani is a PR professional and San Diego native who spent seven years in New York City before returning to the west coast and settling in Carlsbad with her husband and daughter. Initially Kathy – who grew up in La Jolla – felt that Carlsbad was “too far north,” but fell in love with the area and now wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Some of her favorite local haunts include the La Costa Farms and Flower market (where her daughter is known as the “raspberry baby”), Tip Top Meats, Aviara Community Park, La Costa Kids resale shop, The Crossings, La Costa Wine Company, and of course the Forum Shops. She loves a good happy hour special and makes far too many trips to Trader Joe’s. Kathy can also be found on Twitter at @KathyCash.