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
with now 3 kids under 5 I use my carriers at anytime possible. With my older two I would run with them in the stroller then take them out and put them in the carrier to do workouts like Murph. I just had my third six weeks ago and can’t wait till the summer to do some workouts with him in the carrier not much because he so little just be squats and lunges but still it’s nice at that extra assistance and spend time with him at the same
I wear my baby when I clean the house. Does that count as exercise? 🙂 I also walk with him in my wrp but I never try to do a real work out !! Will try 🙂 Great way to add pounds and work harder then usual.
as a first time mom (who is a lot older than most) getting a work out in after baby is crucial to my mental health! I have struggled with depression and trying to find balance post baby and getting back into shape (and my clothes) after baby. I wouldn’t trade anything, but I know that without a work out I get into a funk. These workouts are great to see and will admit I must give ’em a try! Baby wearing is a godsend! I scored a baby bjorn 2nd hand & had looked for the ergo 2nd hand to save $$ due to the cost. Trying to manage everything while on a tight budget doesn’t help at times…so baby wearing while getting a workout in is great! Thanks for posting these workouts! From one mom to another, they are appreciated.
I love our Ergo so much! It has allowed me to take my girls hiking, walking, playing! However, it’s getting so hot and humid that it makes my little one uncomfortable. I’d love to get a carrier that breathes better, such as the one Heidi is using. Much cooler and comfortable for continued summer fun! Love your posts, so relatable!
My second baby is due in June and I am planning on using my ergo baby to help me loose the baby weight by sneaking in a workout with baby strapped in place. Squats while tidying up toys, dips while watching my older son play and push ups on the back of the couch. Looking froward to using my ergo and would be ecstatic to have another for working out.
my little guy is just a few weeks older than your precious girly! We love working out together thankfully because this momma hasn’t lost any baby weight. We love going for walks in our carrier and doing squats while Babywearing seem more like a playful game than a workout!! ??
It would be awesome to have for doing yoga and for going on evening strolls with hubby/daddy 🙂
With my first daughter I used our carrier countless miles hiking, going for walks, or even getting stuff done around the house! I just had my second baby and would love to add the ergo baby to keep the same pattern without the strain on my shoulders or back with the carrier I used previously. Thanks for the workout tips- so creative ! I never thought of getting a workout other than hiking or walking with a carrier!
I never wore my daughter before, but now that I have another baby I wear him all the time. I didn’t realize how much I would love wearing him! But unfortunately I could only afford a cheap carrier so I don’t last long because it hurts after a while. Exercise is super important to me especially since I have both PCOS and hypothyroidism. As you know having more than one kid can be difficult getting out. But the baby wearing makes not just exercise, but even just quick trips to the store, and taking my active toddler to the park that much easier! I’d love to win this carrier!!!
I never thought about baby wearing and exercising simultaneously! I am expecting baby 2 in just a few weeks and would love an ergo performance to help get back into shape 🙂 I would definitely try your workout above, but I would also baby wear on family walks and playing outside with my 3 year old.