FIT4MOM Review

Happy December!! I can't believe we're just 24 short days until Christmas. Let the fun begin! Did everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving? We had a such a good one. We spent lots of time with family and friends, just relaxing and, of course, eating and eating and eating and eating.

Yesterday morning I woke up craving vegetables and needing a good workout. Which brings me to the reason for this post: the new FIT4MOM in Brookfield, just a few short blocks away from Wauwatosa. I have always loved working out. Scratch that: I don't always love it, but I love the way I feel after, which is generally my motivation for getting my butt in gear. Anyways, running is usually my workout of choice, but I'm often looking to switch things up a bit, especially in the winter months when it's harder to run outdoors.

So, when I heard about the FIT4MOM classes, I was so excited to give the classes a try. If you've never heard of FIT4MOM and their Stroller Strides classes, Stroller Strides is a stroller-based fitness program designed for moms with little ones. Each 60-minute, total body workout incorporates jogging or power walking, strength, toning, songs and activities. Before my class I was worried about two things: 1. Was this actually going to be a good workout? 2. Would Callum stay in the stroller for the whole class?

And, the answer to both of those questions was an absolute YES! The workout kicked my butt. It was a mix of cardio bursts followed by strength work. It was fast paced and definitely not boring. Tracy, the owner and instructor for FIT4MOM, did a great job of mixing things up to keep the workout exciting. Plus, the workout is different for every class. So, it keeps you on your toes, in a good way. The day after attending my first FIT4MOM class, my legs and arms were feeling it. Walking down stairs was rough.

Tracy also did a really great job of providing lower-intensity options during the workout for those in the class who were pregnant or easing their way back in to working out. So, this class would be a great option for all fitness levels!

Callum had zero trouble staying in the stroller. At the beginning, I think he was trying to figure out what the heck was going on, so that kept him busy. He also loved looking at all the other little ones and just watching all the moms workout. During the workout, we also sang a few kids songs and did a few exercises focused specifically on entertaining the kids. In the classes I attended, there were kids from three months to almost three years, and almost all of them had no problem sitting still for the whole class. I did pack a few toys for reinforcements, but didn't even need them.

At the beginning of the class, Callum had a few minutes to run around the studio with the other kids, and I think that helped him work out some of the crazy. The classes I attended were held inside Studio VIA (14685 W Capitol Dr), but classes in May through October will be held outside, and I think having the workouts in different locations will also help to keep Callum occupied in his stroller.

I should definitely also mention how awesome Tracy, the instructor and owner of FIT4MOM in Brookfield/Tosa, is! She did a great job of making everyone in the class feel comfortable and excited to work out. Her energy was contagious. Tracy was inspired to bring a FIT4MOM to the area after she had her son, Jack. Tracy says, "Fitness has always been a passion of mine and a big part of my life. Once I had Jack, I was finding that my fitness was being put on hold so I could spend time with him, and I wasn't having that balance in my life that I needed. It shouldn't have to be one or the other and I had heard about mommy and me fitness classes in other cities but we didn't have anything like that here so I decided to bring it here."

And, Tracy couldn't be more spot on! If, like I did, you're worried this class is not going to be a good workout, check out a class and let Tracy prove you wrong. It's a challenging workout not only for people that consistently workout, but also good for people who haven't worked out in years.  It's a win win for everyone: mom gets a great workout while spending time with their kiddos and meet other moms. 

So, check out FIT4MOM now, especially if you have a few extra pumpkin pie calories to work off. The first class you take is always free. If you have any other questions, be sure to check out their FAQ page or head to their Facebook page. One more tip: Don't forget water and a towel. I promise you'll need them!

Although I was compensated for my review of the FIT4MOM classes, the opinions are completely my own. And, I thought FIT4MOM was awesome!