A Bel Air mother of two has started a local exercise program for mothers and young children, centered around harnessing strollers to get a good workout.
Megan Kearney inaugurated her local Stroller Strides franchise last week outdoors at Heavenly Waters park, offering an exercise program for mothers combining “power walking,” elastic bands and other exercise routines with the resistance of maneuvering a stroller.
“It has been a great workout, not only as a way to get off the couch, but also to work off some of the mommy-related stress,” said Mindy Costanzo-Romero, one of the 33 mothers signed up for the program.
Mothers start with a brisk walk through Blake?s Venture Park in Forest Hill, Kearney said. At various “stations” along the way, they?ll do exercises ranging from work with elastic resistance bands to sprints ? with each lap ending by tickling their stroller-bound baby, she said.
Another lesson has been proper, upright posture for pushing a stroller, which actually helps mothers burn more calories.
Classes cost $15 per session, or $100 for any 10 classes in a month.
The program is also meant to be a networking opportunity for parents. Meeting other parents has been part of the appeal, Costanzo-Romero said. Before, the work-at-home mom said she seldom got out to network with others, but she has since volunteered as a playgroup coordinator.
Kearney also plans to offer a Saturday class. Other Stroller Strides franchises have been set up in Annapolis, Canton, Federal Hill, Hunt Valley, Timonium, Towson, White Marsh and Columbia.
Stroller Striders
Stroller Striders class weekly schedule:
» Monday to Friday ? 9:30 a.m. at Blake?s Venture Park, Forest Hill
Saturdays ? 9:30 a.m. at Emmorton Elementary School, Bel Air
» In case of inclement weather, classes are held at the pavilion in Reckord Park, Fallston.
» Visit www.strollerstrides.net/belair for more information.
