I have a confession to make: I am soooo ready for summer. Even though we live in Arizona where the weather?s nice pretty much all year round, there?s just something about summertime…. And since the kids are out of school (Yay! No more homework!), we get to do stuff we can?t do at other times of the year and enjoy a more relaxed routine. I love it! However, when the kids are home all day, it gets even trickier to get those workouts in. Especially with a little one around. And summer = swimsuit season, which can add a wee bit of extra stress. 😉
So how can you get in a great workout, on limited time, with your baby, and shed those extra pounds STAT so you?re ready for summer sun ?n fun? Voila! My latest babywearing workout, which is perfect for older babies like Ruby. You can use the same Ergobaby Performance Carrier I raved about before, and besides that, all you need is your favorite little one. Can?t get simpler than that! If your baby is smaller than Ruby, no worries?simply modify the workout. And if you?ve got older kids around too, why not include them in your workout!
Before we get started, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Warm up before and cool down after by doing a few minutes of walking and light stretching.
- Keep those ab muscles tight during all exercises for some awesome core and stability work.
- If you need some help with balance or extra support, hold on to the back of a chair or bench.
- Can?t quite get through the workout? Do what we do?we call it ?chipping.? When you can?t do any more, stop for a few seconds, shake it out, and keep going. Repeat as needed. It works!
- Always, always, always follow your doctor?s recommendations.
Ready? Let?s go!
Complete as many rounds as safely possible in 30 minutes of the following exercises:
- 5 park bench push-ups?
- 10 stable lunges?
- 15 supported squats?*can be done on a bench if desired?
- 1 fast-paced walk around the park?
NOTE: Safety first! If one round is all you feel it is safe to complete with your little one on your back, then finish out the remainder of the 30 minutes with a fast-paced walk around the park. Walking burns calories!! However, keep up the rounds as long as you are feeling you and baby are good and safe.
For a more advanced version, these moves can be done without support as well, as long as baby is safe:
- Advanced lunge: Step out first to ensure stability, then bend into the lunge?
- Advanced squat: Keep feet shoulder-width apart and weight on heels for max stability. Use your arms as a counter balance.?
Besides helping me get in some amazing workouts, here are some other reasons I?m such a pro-babywearing workout momma:
- Workouts can be done anywhere (inside and outside).
- You get a natural resistance progression as baby grows.
- You can do each workout all at once or throughout your day as you have a few free minutes.
- Your little can help you get and stay fit.
- Workouts are good for beginners to not-so-beginners?basically everyone.
- You?re teaching your kiddos the importance of exercise and that working out is really fun!
- And the best thing? Extra bonding time with your little one. 🙂
How do you use your carrier to get those workouts in? Share in the comments below? for your chance ?to win?one?Ergobaby Performance Carrier!!
Here’s what you need to do to enter:
- Comment below on how you use your baby carrier to workout.
- Share this post via one of my social media channels.
- Be sure to follow me and Ergobaby on as many of the following as possible:?Instagram,?Twitter, and?Facebook.
You? have until midnight on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, to enter, and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Thursday, April 30, 2015.
Xoxo,
Heidi
Missed my previous Ergobaby babywearing adventures? Check ?em out here:
Oh Baby! My Babywearing Workout
Oh Baby! My Babywearing Workout, Part 2: The Piggyback Park Workout
Oh Baby! My Babywearing Adventures Continue
And here are some other posts you might like:
No Time for Exercise?
Exercise…It?s A Family Affair!
745 Responses
I would use an ergo for hiking
I have a son who is 13 months old. Last summer we went on at least 2 walks a day in our carrier. I felt really good! I’ve practiced attachment parenting all the way… However he is grown out of the carrier we have, although we both still love it. I’m following the bode plan and have Chris’s book to keep me on top of it. This carrier would help me stay in shape and be a great role model for my son, as we continue to live our healthy and active life style.
I love to baby wear! But i have a bigger baby carrier on frame and I’d love to have a smaller option for workouts! Baby and i workout at the park twice a week with her in her stroller (for now) and the ergobaby would allow for additional workouts to switch it up! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration Heidi!
I like to hike Camelback or McDowell Mountain with my little guy!
I love to wear my carrier with my son for hikes! It’s perfect for extra resistance and he loves it!! We need a new one and the Ergo is my 1st choice. I know whoever wins will love it!!
I love carrying the baby in the carrier while pushing the toddler in the stroller. Great workout!
My approach to the baby carrier may be a tad different then most. My husband works night shift and sleeps during the day, so I am left with a very fidgety 10 month old, which makes the carrier quite the challenge when putting on solo. Here are my 8 steps to baby wearing success…ENJOY!
Step #1: Unvelcro and detach hooks before putting on
Step 2: Wrap around waist while turning around in circles multiple times in attempts to find the other side of the velcro and the hook you just detached only moments before.
Step 3: Rest head against wall and recover from overwhelming dizziness from spinning sensation
Step 4: Locate newly crawling, almost walking 10 month old. Chase said 10 month old around the house being particularly careful not to step on unsecured cords while making a mad dash for the toddler who has just set eyes on the very full dog water bowl that she has a new love of “bathing” in.
Step 4: Change clothes wet from tripping on cord and landing in water bowl, and apply band aids as needed.
Step 5: Reapply harness, pick up baby and put child in place within the harness, being quickly reminded that hair should have been restrained as baby grabs hold tightly and mushes you like a sled dog.
Step 6: Perform pre-workout “stretching” as you desperately reach for the last clasp which is located just between your shoulder blades and completely out of reach for those not double, or heck, triple jointed.
Step 7: Look in the mirror with pride at the beautiful application of the baby harness you have just worked so hard to put on. You are a strong and powerful woman who is capable of anything!
Step 8; Dab sweat from forehead. Remove harness, place baby in crib for nap, and fall onto the couch. So many calories burned, so many muscles strengthened….now for a nap.
I have had my eye on the Performance carrier for the longest time! If I won, I would take my baby girl hiking in it when we move to Germany this summer!! I’m dreaming of the possibilities ?
I had a Bjorn and walked alot but now that Mackenzie is over 25 lbs I can’t use it. I would love this new carrier so she can get out of the stroller!!
I love doing yoga with my 10month old, my two year old also tries to to the moves with me which is absolutely adorable. These workout will really help me to up the pace and get some more cardio in. Thanks for all you and your hubby do, yall are an inspiration!