Stroller Strong Mamas has a new set of programs fit for kids

Photo courtesy of Stroller Strong Mamas

Like learning a new language, creating a healthy lifestyle is easiest when started from a young age. Rachel Goodale, founder of Stroller Strong Mamas, recently launched inclusive fitness programs for children with hopes of igniting an early passion for fitness.

“In a world driven by technology and way too much screen time, it is a huge motivator for getting our children moving. My goal is to ignite a passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle at a young age,” Rachel told us.

Rachel, a certified professional fitness instructor and mother of two, also cited the concerning and significant rise in childhood obesity as one of the reasons she decided to create programs geared toward children. “Fitness helps create better relationships with body image, confidence, and self-esteem and will help with the general health of our children,” she said.

While her Stroller Strong Mamas programs have always welcomed children to workout alongside their parents, these new fitness offerings are just for kids.

“[These] classes are designed just for kids to get a sense of accomplishment and success with fitness for their age level. These kids won’t be intimidated by group fitness classes or a gym as they grow up. They will know how to use fitness equipment properly. Something many adults struggle with later in life,” she added.

Stroller Strong Mamas now offers four different programs for kids’ fitness which are broken up by age, not ability with no experience necessary. There is Stroller Strong Toddler for children ages 3 and 4, which are mommy-and-me style classes, Stroller Strong Young Kids for children ages 5 and 6, Stroller Strong Older Kids for children ages 7 to 9, and Stroller Strong Pre-Adolescent for children ages 10 to 12. Each fitness class is 45 minutes long and designed with a fun, social setting in mind.

“Our Stroller Strong Kids class on Monday mornings is at the same time as an adult class, Backyard Bootcamp. We hope that parents will take advantage of the opportunity to take a class for themselves while I work with the kids,” said Rachel. “During the older kids and pre-adolescent classes, parents are invited to conduct an open gym workout for themselves, or they can relax and hang out. For all classes, we need parents within reach in the event of an emergency.”

Photo courtesy of Stroller Strong Mamas

Rachel shared what you can expect from each program. “For Stroller Strong Toddlers, these classes will promote movement while focusing on balance, gross motor skills, coordination, and listening skills. For Stroller Strong Kids, we will be building a base for fitness with cardio and bodyweight exercises with an introduction to fitness equipment. Older Kids, fitness training for kids this age will work on speed, strength, coordination, agility, and mind/body connection to enhance all-around fitness and sports conditioning. Pre-adolescent Fitness and Training will focus on form while working on speed, agility, core, balance, mobility, strength, and power movements to help in overall athletic abilities. 

If you’re wondering if these programs are right for your kid you should know that Rachel holds a master's degree in special education and has designed these classes with inclusion in mind. She also invites parents to contact her should their child have specific needs, accommodations, or sensitivities.

“We want to encourage children with special needs to try out a kids' fitness class, too. I know that is always a concern for parents with children who may need special services. I have a master’s in special education and have worked closely with children with autism and special needs. I believe wholeheartedly that these classes can truly help them with so many skills and give them confidence, and parents can be right there to assist.”

For all programs, children should wear sneakers and comfortable clothes, and bring a water bottle and a yoga mat. If the class is indoors, it is requested that sneakers are clean.

The fitness class locations will vary between Stroller Strong Mama’s Mattituck Studio (indoors) and its Riverhead location (outdoors). To view the complete Kids’ Fitness schedules, visit strollerstrongmamas.com.

Sample workouts for each program

Stroller Strong Toddlers (3-4 years old): An example workout might be; a warm-up, an ice breaker game, an obstacle course that works on many different skills, and finishing with a teamwork relay before we stretch and cool down.

Stroller Strong Kids (5-6 years old): An example will start with full body stretches, a game for a warm-up, and a set of bodyweight movements, introducing things like squats and jumping jacks. Then we will work into a circuit to introduce fitness equipment like kids-size battle ropes, jump ropes, light dumbbells, etc. Then we will end with a stretch and cool down.

Older Kids Fitness & Training (7-9 years old): An example is a dynamic warm-up, cardio intervals, and then a strength set to hit total body strength using dumbbells. We will do a fitness circuit to have fun while still working on the same skills introduced in class. Ending with a stretch and cool down.

Pre-adolescent Fitness & Training (10-12 years old): An example is a dynamic warm-up and mobility work followed by a cardio endurance set with agility and speed work. Then a strength training set with a focus on form, strengthening the whole body and core. We will finish with some partner exercises to have some fun and then a cool down and stretch.