As the mother of 4-month-old twins, Colleen Steward of Vernon Hills didn’t have a lot of time to work out unless she hired a babysitter for Ed and Ian—until she found her stroller exercise class.

StrollerStrides is a workout with kids. For 50-minutes, moms walk around the mall before the stores open. They also do strength training exercises that include singing and counting with the kids.

Kimberly Peterson, mother to 9-month-old Owen, opened the StrollerStrides franchise in January.

"I wanted to get back in shape, find activities to engage and stimulate [Owen]," Peterson says.

StrollerStrides is one of two area franchises. StrollerFit is the other. (And at least one athletic club has stroller exercise classes as well.)

Both franchises operate on a similar model: Classes are for moms with kids up to age 4. No advance registration required; just show up and pay the $15 per class fee. Discounts are available if you pre-pay.

StrollerStrides meets at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday outside of Marshall Fields in the Westfield Hawthorn mall, Vernon Hills. And at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at entrance A of the Gurnee Mills Mall, Gurnee. Visit www.strollerstrides.com for details.

StrollerFit meets at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Provena St. Mary’s Community Connection in the Northfield Square Mall, Bourbonnais. And at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday in the Player’s Choice Academy, Huntley. Visit www.strollerfit.com for details.

Also, the Lakeshore Athletic Club, Chicago, offers Stroller Strength in the summer. Contact lisa.hunter@ lakeshoreathleticclubs.com.

Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Moms are urged to wait until after the six-week post-partum check-up.

Lenna Scott

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