Dumbbells and treadmills are not the only gear local mothers are using to shed their post-pregnancy pounds. Instead, some women are utilizing a stroller, their infant and the Baby Boot Camp program to get in shape while spending time with their new family addition. "I wanted to join a gym after my son was born, but I didn't want to put him in day care while I exercised," Stafford resident Monica Rosado said. "I was so happy to find this program and it provides a great workout." Rosado and her 5-month-old son, Danny, are now Baby Boot Camp regulars, attending the local classes taught by Stafford County resident April Smith. A mother of two and certified fitness instructor, Smith opened Stafford's Baby Boot Camp in January and runs the stroller-fitness program twice a week at the Courthouse Community Center. "Baby Boot Camp seemed like a perfect fit here because there is nothing like it in the area," Smith said. "Lots of people are having babies in the community and this is a wonderful way moms can workout and bond with their new babies." Sarasota, Fla. resident Kristen Horler created Baby Boot Camp shortly after she gave birth to her first child in 2001. A fitness instructor and triathlete, Horler created the program for prenatal and postnatal mothers in order to help them exercise while maintaining a healthy bond with their child. "I'm very pleased with this franchise and its success," Horler said, noting there are now about 300 programs across the United States, Bermuda, Canada and Australia. "It really fits a need that's found across the country." The 55-minute boot camp classes focus on both strength training and cardiovascular drills, Smith said. Participants use resistance tubes, a stroller and their baby to get a complete workout. "I didn't come prepared or have any idea this class would be so intense," Fredericksburg resident Sharon Lacy said after attending her first class Feb. 20 with her 6-month-old daughter, Grace. "But it's great and I'm looking forward to the next one." During last week's workout, Lacy and the other women pushed their strollers as they jogged around the gymnasium and then later utilized the apparatus as they did walking lunges across the floor. The participants also used their babies instead of free weights for chest presses and other activities to work their upper bodies. "As a new mom, I didn't want to go exercise somewhere and leave my baby at the gym's day care," said Stafford resident Jill Bell, who attends classes with her 6-month-old daughter, Lauren. "This is the only way I can exercise with my baby and I think it's also good to get your child to learn the importance of exercise early on." The boot camp classes also include some yoga and pilates, which work a mother's core, Smith said, noting that is something "really important to women" after they have a child. As a trained fitness instructor and personal trainer, Smith said she also spends class time talking to mothers about nutrition and other ways they can exercise. "Because I'm a mom too, I know how important it is to lose baby weight," Smith said. "I just love working with these women, making friends and helping them lose any postpartum blues." Besides providing a workout, local mothers said they enjoy the class because they get to interact with other women, sharing stories and parenting advice. "The networking is already starting," Lacy said, noting she just recently moved to the area. "Grace gets to socialize a little and I get to work the baby pounds off. I also hope to find some play groups for her through this." Smith said she hopes to offer more classes in the future, including opening sessions in Fredericksburg. The program will also relocate to the outdoors once the weather changes. Mothers can sign up and get their first lesson free, Smith said, noting this allows women to make sure their baby will cooperate for the program. Classes are currently offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. People looking for more information can contact Smith at (540) 295-5456. "I'm looking forward to having classes outside in the summer, where we can get some fresh air," Rosado said. "I'm also just really excited Stafford has something like this because it is so hard as a mom to find that time to workout."
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