Stroller Strides, the largest and fastest growing exercise program for new moms, strolls into its sixth anniversary this month with over 600 locations nationwide stellar growth for a company that started with one San Diego mom, her newborn son and a stroller in 2001.
But in the past six years, Stroller Strides has stretched beyond its postnatal stroller workout program, partnering with several well-known and respected companies to offer prenatal fitness classes, free playgroups and clubs for moms, and even its own stroller. In addition, program founder Lisa Druxman released LEAN MOMMY (Center Street) this year a resourceful book incorporating the Stroller Strides workout that guides new mothers down a healthy postpartum path.
Its incredible how much Stroller Strides has grown, both in size and in the opportunities it provides for new moms, says Druxman, a mother of two who founded the franchised fitness company after the birth of her first child. The primary mission of the program will always be to expand healthy resources for new mothers across the country.
Stroller Strides boasts more than 20,000 participants and has doubled in size each year since starting, making it the 17th fastest growing franchise in the country (Franchise Times Magazine, 2007) and one of the top 25 small companies to work for (Working Mother Magazine, 2006). The 60-minute class that combines a stroller walk and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing, the environment and the stroller, provides moms with a fun and effective way to get fit following pregnancy and an opportunity to bond with their babies through exercise.
In 2005, Stroller Strides partnered with BOB manufacturer of popular jogging strollers and stroller accessories to offer the ideal stroller for workouts: the Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller. The lightweight jogger maneuvers easily with a swiveling front wheel that can also be locked into place for running or off-road use. Best of all, the stroller features a special Stroller Strides Fitness Kit, complete with a handy storage console for water (or toys!), exercise tubing and even a Stroller Strides manual to assist moms in turning their routine stroller walk into a workout.
In 2006, Stroller Strides segued successfully into prenatal fitness, partnering with Fit To Deliver an internationally acclaimed program designed to keep moms active during pregnancy via 60-minute classes that help them to strengthen their rapidly changing bodies and prepare for childbirth. Through this partnership, Stroller Strides franchisees have the opportunity to become trained in the Fit To Deliver program so that they can offer the prenatal classes as a complement to their ongoing postnatal Stroller Strides programs.
Early 2007 brought mothers yet another new resource: LUNA Moms Club Powered by Stroller Strides a free program open to all moms that offers weekly playgroups and moms night out events at every Stroller Strides location. Together with LUNA®, Stroller Strides creates a supportive community for moms where they can share advice, tips, laughter, and even take on community service projects through the Clubs Moms with a
In June of 2007, the many benefits of the Stroller Strides program became accessible to all moms with the launch of LEAN MOMMY, the first book to help new mothers maximize their limited free time by bonding with their baby through exercise. Authored by Lisa Druxman, the resource features guided workouts many taken straight from the Stroller Strides program that simply require baby, a stroller, a front pack carrier and exercise tubing. LEAN MOMMY also guides readers through healthy eating, the importance of parental role modeling, overcoming common postpartum emotional obstacles and more.
Our goal is to provide moms with every opportunity to be happy and healthy in motherhood, says Druxman. Weve made great strides so far, and look forward to even further expansion of this mission in the years to come.
About Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides classes are offered in more than 600 locations nationwide. The hour-long classes emphasize cardiovascular activities and muscle-strengthening exercises using resistance bands and strollers, allowing moms to interact with their babies throughout their workout. Stroller Strides franchises are available for those interested in a home-based, family-friendly business. To further assist mothers in all aspects of their lives, Stroller Strides partners with Stride Rite®, LUNA®, Babystyle® and BOB. For more information about Stroller Strides, including class locations, visit www.strollerstrides.com.
