Moms Get Fit at Baby Boot Camp

All parents with babies and pre-schoolers know how hard it is to find the time and energy to exercise. Not to mention how hard it is to find someone to watch the kids, or a gym with good babysitting services.

Not anymore.

Parsippany mom of two, Stephanie Chang, is the owner of Baby Boot Camp.  She offers classes five days a week that allow you to exercise with the kids.

Chang started taking the classes herself with her daughter more than a year ago.

"I heard moms talking about the program while I was having coffee at Mara's in Denville. I joined right away and I've been going every day since then." Chang said. 

Chang was so enthusiastic about the classes that she eventually bought the business when the previous owner moved. Up until May the program was called Strollerfit, but a week after she purchased the franchise, Baby Boot Camp took over.

"It's great because 'boot camp' is one of the latest buzzwords in fitness, but it's also misleading because it sounds like we're making babies workout." Chang said.

The children don't workout, but they do have fun.

Each hour-long class is a combination of cardio and strength training. It begins with a warmup and then 30 to 40 minutes of cardio and strength training followed by mat work.

Natalie Richter, of Morristown, has a 4-month-old and she's been taking the class three times a week since her daughter was just 8 weeks old.

"It's a really good workout. Sometimes these things are wimpy which doesn't help when you have a lot of weight to lose," she said.

Although the program is designed to be pretty intense, all the exercises are easily modified. "Everyone takes it at their own pace and you do what you can" Chang said.

Sandra Colfin, of Lincoln Park, comes with two children in a double stroller and she's been taking the class for three-and-a-half years now.

"I love it because it's a great workout but you don't feel pressured," she said. "Everyone's in the same boat; their kids were up all night teething and they're losing their minds."

The program is designed to keep the kids engaged. After a set of jumping jacks, the moms run up and tickle the kids. Shoulder presses are accompanied by a few verses of "Old MacDonald."  

"We try to be flexible and do things that work for the kids. If they are getting antsy, we'll stop and play patty cake with them while the moms are in a squat," Chang said.

The atmosphere is both supportive and accepting. If someone cries or acts up, no one minds. Women stop to comfort a crying baby or pick up a fallen toy.

The class ends with 15 minutes of Pilates-based mat work. During that time, the strollers are pushed aside and kids unbuckled. A big box of toys is brought out and the kids make friends and play while the moms stretch and work on their abs.

Baby Boot Camp is held Monday through Friday at the just off Route 46 on Baldwin Road at 9:30 a.m.  If you can't make it in the mornings, there are also classes Mondays at 4:30 p.m. for teachers and Thursdays for working moms at 5:30 p.m.

Monthly members can attend an unlimited number of classes, packages can be purchased or you can pay as you go. Check out the coupon in the new 2011 Town Planner calendar  for a free week.

For pricing and other questions visit the website or e-mail Stephanie.chang@babybootcamp.com