How to Fit in Time for Exercise with Kids in Tow

When you are a Mom, you likely have such a full schedule that there is hardly any time to take a breather, so fitting in time for exercise with kids in tow may be challenging. If you don’t love the gym, being busy is a great excuse to say goodbye to a regular fitness routine, but is it what you really want to do? Options are always available, and we explore a few of them in this story.

Find Gym with Daycare

If you are a stickler for the gym, these days you can easily find a gym that offers on-site babysitting for your kids while you work out. You can either pay as you go or get a multiple visit discount card. A few of the gyms will even offer this service for free as part of their membership (24 hour fitness offers 2 hours, for example). Kids enjoy crafts, play with toys and their peers and watch kids videos while you exercise. Some of the gyms that offer this service include Lifetime Fitness, Fitness 19, 24hour Fitness and tons of local gyms (just inquire about babysitting). Since you are onsite at the same location, you can check on the little ones while you take breaks from your workout. Before you leave your child with a sitter at the gym, make sure this person is qualified and you are comfortable leaving your child there. Also check on the cleanliness of the place and mention any allergies/issues upfront.

Tag Team

Team up with another parent (you trust) looking for some gym time and swap childcare. Have your kids spend time at their house while you are at the gym or at the track and switch back. Or, this can be your husband/wife/partner. Finding time to exercise will simply mean stacking up workouts while kids play.

Include your Child in your Workout

With the respect mothers get these days, there are so many options for exercise with your child! Stroller Strides is an excellent option started by Lisa Druxman and has moms exercising all over the country. Another option is Mom & Baby yoga that a lot of the community centers are offering these days. Including your child in your exercise routine not only allows you to work out and spend time together, it also gives him a healthy start – a great example of how good being fit is.

Have Fun with Wii Fit and Xbox Kinect

In our high-tech era you can go above and beyond the exercise videos and on to more fun shape shifters like Wii Fit or Xbox Kinect. This doesn’t have to be a replacement for your gym or runs, or whatever fitness routine you prefer. What’s nice about these devices is that they are always available (while your tot takes a nap, for example), and there is an amazing variety of exercises you can try. Most importantly, it’s fun!

Try On Demand

If you haven’t discovered Cable’s On Demand option for kids’ shows, it’s a must! Flexible, easy and always on demand, as the name suggests! Well, now check it out for Fitness Videos. I have tried everything from yoga, palatis, zumba and kickboxing. Even if you have an established gym routine, it’s nice to spice it up with a variety of exercises which you will find On Demand. As with Wii, this allows you the flexibility to exercise without having to hire a babysitter and when you have the time to do it.

Exercise through Play

This is perhaps the oldest type of exercise mother and child ever engaged in. The choices are infinite but here are a few suggestions:
Walk (or run) up and down the stairs with your tot as he or she is pushing or pulling a toy along. Make sure you are staying close if it’s a younger child to avoid accidents.
Do crunches on the stability ball (a great item to have in your house for fitness) and then put the child on the ball and roll him up and down.
Throw a ball and then kick it back. A great way to engage in exercise together.
Lift your child up and down, engaging your arms and back.
Dance adding twists like jumping jacks (or good old jumping), running and freezing, hopping on one leg, touching your toes. Get creative!
Go biking, hiking, swimming, skiing together.