7 Tips for Choosing the Right Jogging Stroller

We don't do very many posts dealing with babies and toddlers, but since I have a baby, I wanted to share with you some tips to find the right jogging stroller for you. I read TONS of articles and reviews, as well as, "test drove" several before making my final decision. After all, if you are like me, you will use your jogging stroller at least 3-4 times per week for cardio and maybe even for the occasional jaunt at a local festival or fair.

This is a guest post written by Tiffany.

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Check out these additional mom resources, also written by Tiffany!

• 5 Tips for Busy Moms to Squeeze in Exercise
• How to Occupy Children During Runs
• 7 Tips for Choosing the Right Jogging Stroller

7 Things to Consider When Shopping for a Jogging Stroller

1. Determine Your Strollers Function - What will you be using the stroller for? Is it strictly for running or will you need something to attach to your bike or even cross-country ski with?

If the stroller is strictly for running, proceed with a jogging stroller like the BOB Revolution or the Baby Jogger FIT.

If you need your stroller to function in multiple ways, perhaps a jogger/bike trailer is more appropriate for you. Consider brands like the Allen Sports Premiere or the Aosom Elite.

2. Fixed Wheel vs. Swivel Wheel -  This is your number one concern when determining which stroller you will buy. NEVER run with a stroller that does not have a fixed wheel or a mechanism so that the wheel can be locked in the fixed position. This is VERY dangerous and could harm your child. Strollers with swivel wheels are made for walking and strolling.

3. Frequency of Use - How often you will use your jogging stroller really will determine the quality you will need to purchase (and most likely, the money you will spend on the jogger). If you are a marathon runner and plan to take your child on long-distance jogs, you will need a more durable stroller designed specifically for this purpose. Strollers like the Mountain Buggy Terrain may be more appropriate for you. On the flip side, if you are planning to use your stroller on days that you can't get to the gym to do your cardio, you can go with a more fitness oriented model, such as the Kolcraft Sprint Pro Jogging Stroller.

4. Storage Space - If you are tight on space in your home or plan to transport the stroller in a smaller vehicle, you will want to ensure your stroller folds down. If it doesn't, you will need to find a place to keep it fully assembled in your home and have a vehicle such as an SUV to transport the stroller.

5. Handlebar Height - Since I am short (5'2''), I really pay attention to this one! My husband is on the taller side (6'2''), so if he and I are both using the stroller, we either have to find a comfortable height for both of us or find a stroller with an adjustable handle.

6. Child Positioning - This is something you really can't afford NOT to look at! First off, think about your child. Do they like to take naps in the car or stroller? Will jogging be any different? Do they need a cup holder or a belly bar to hold on to so they can comfortably look out the stroller? Finding a stroller that offers a range of positions from upright to reclining may be your best bet. If you plan to use the stroller to walk prior to your child's 6 month birthday, I suggest looking for a system that also allows you to clip an infant seat into the stroller. Just remember: You shouldn't jog with an infant seat attached!

7. Brake vs. No Brake - Do you like in a hilly area like me? Your stroller should have a tether strap that you will wear, but if somewhere along your normal route, you encounter lots of downhills, I would suggest a brake. Momentum can be fierce, especially when you are pushing 50+ pounds of jogging stroller and child!

REMEMBER: Most pediatricians, as well as jogging stroller manufacturers, recommend that you do NOT jog with your child until 6 months of age.

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Review of Baby Jogger FIT

The Baby Jogger FIT.

(Update: 2/2/18) Here is a link to the newer version.

From the moment I received the stroller, I knew I was going to like it! It was very easy to put together - no help from the hubby required! The best part - I could use it right away. I didn't have to go to a bike shop to have the front wheel inflated. 

To test it out, Bryce and I went on a short run - a 2.5-mile jaunt in the nature preserve in our neighborhood! I have to admit, I have a snazzy Britax stroller system for everyday use and was a little anxious to try the fixed wheel of the jogger. I had visions of not being able to turn and potentially tipping Bryce over in the stroller. NOT the case at all! The fixed wheel of the Baby Jogger FIT seems to have a little give in it. I did have to rear back on the handlebar to turn, but much less than I expected! Speaking of the handlebar, it doesn't adjust but it is comfortable for myself and also for my husband. 

At 7 months and 20lbs, Bryce seemed comfortable in the stroller and has tons of room to grow. The stroller adapts to a reclining position and has a nice angle for its upright position.  The sunshade is adjustable and quite substantial. It did wonders for keeping the wind off of his face since we did a later afternoon run. The stroller seemed to effortlessly glide along our jogging path, with little disturbance at a bump or crack in the path. It was challenging pushing it up our monstrous hills in the neighborhood but nothing I couldn't handle. The brake was a MUST for the downhills of the same size - it provided some much needed reassurance that I wouldn't lose control.

Do you have a jogging stroller? If so, which did you choose and why? What types of activities do you do with your stroller?

6 Simple Steps to Reach Your Fitness Goals

I'll be the first to tell you that setting a fitness goal is easy - it's actually following through and seeing the goal to completion that is the hardest thing. However, it can be done (and it can be done by YOU)! Here are 6 simple steps to reach your fitness goals.

6 Simple Steps to Reach Your Fitness Goals

1. Think 6 months down the road and set a goal (we consider this long term!). Where do you want to be? Is it a nutritional fitness goal, related to endurance, muscle mass goal, etc? Narrow it down to 2-3 goals and write them down.

Example: I want to lose 10 pounds of body fat, gain 5 pounds of muscle and improve my mile run by 2 minutes.

2. Break your 6 month goal into 2 month goals. While you will likely be monitoring your progress much more closely in the first few weeks, checking in every 2 months will definitely provide you with an opportunity to be proud of the accomplishments and progress you have made! Going off the previous example in #1, here is an example: Lose 3 pounds of body fat, gain 1.5 pounds of muscle and improve my mile run by 45 seconds.

3. Break those 2 month goals into 1 month goals. Wow! The progress that you will make in a month will astound you! Make sure these goals coincide with your 2 and 6 month goals, but are also attainable. You should set them high enough that you have to work at it and are a bit of a challenge, but remember - it's only 1 month! Make it attainable! Only YOU can be honest with yourself there!

4. Set a weekly goal that isn't tied to each of the longer-term goals. If you don't associate the weekly goals with the longer-term 1 month or 2 month goals, this will help you to focus on something new each week. Obviously, they need to correlate with helping you reach your ultimate goal. Example: I will work out 5 days this week. OR I will try 2 new aerobics classes I have never taken this week and finish them!

5. Tell a friend! Or 20 friends! Have a goal that you know would be better kept if you are held accountable by your family and friends? Don't be afraid to tell them! You may get some skeptics, but a good friend will ask you how it's going and try to help you stay on course.

6. Reward yourself! Don't reward yourself with food, but start setting aside $10 or $15 each week that you reach your weekly goal. When you reach your monthly goal, spend half of it on something nice for yourself - a new workout top, shoes, a massage, etc. When you reach your 2 month goal, take half of the weekly monies you have saved and get another reward. Save the other half toward your 6 month goal and I hope you plan something fabulous to spend that money on as a reward!

What are your goals?

Let us be your personal trainers with our detailed 4, 6 and 12 week She Sweats Workout plans! We guide your workout each day, telling you exactly what to do and what intensity to work at. We have everything you need! Find out more!

Clean Eat Education :: 5 Tips to Make Morning Workouts Easier

If you are a morning person like me, you may find it easier to get your workout in during the morning hours, preferable before you start your day. If you are not perky and a pleasure to be around in the morning, but mornings work better for your schedule, here are a few tips you can use to make your transition to morning workouts easier!

5 Tips to Make Morning Workouts Easier

1. Plan your workouts for the week and know which body part and/or exercises you will be doing the night before. Let's face it - you don't need the added stress of having to think about your workout in the morning. Just get up and get it done!

2.  Pack your gym bag the night before! Don't have time to come home and shower? The night before, choose two or three outfits you would want to wear the next day (or one if you are good at that - I need options!) and have them hanging, ready to go with everything you need for the outfit. Pack all of your toiletries, makeup, towels, flip flops and undergarments in your bag the night before. Set it by the outfits, so you can make an easy choice and grab the hanging clothes and your gym bag in the morning.

3. Pack your food for the day the night before! You HAVE to eat something before you workout, so set up a water bottle and some dry oatmeal on your counter the night before. Add some hot water to the oatmeal and take it with you in the car. Grab the rest of the food you packed for the night before and you will be on your way to a good day with no excuses about food!

4. Find a support system for morning workouts! Make a friend at the gym, make a pact with one of your friends to go together or join a class where you KNOW you will be missed if you won't be there. This will help to hold you accountable and you will be less likely to flake on your workout.

5. Make morning wake up time less traumatic! Set your alarm for 15 minutes before you need to get up! This will give you a little time to toss and turn and make you feel like you can hit snooze one more time and may make you feel less "slighted" on sleep! Find a tune on your phone's alarm or your alarm clock that doesn't jolt you out of bed, but that eases you out so you aren't inclined to be cranky!

And...here's one more tip! Sleep in your workout clothes! It's easier when you just have to put on shoes, grab all of your packed bags and off you go! NO EXCUSES!

Do you have any tips for making your morning workout easier?

P.S. Here are our tips for evening workouts!