When you have a new baby or a couple of small children at home, getting to the gym can be challenging — to put it mildly. Even if you can muster the motivation, there’s the issue of childcare. Remove at least one obstacle to staying fit by signing up for one of these cool classes where you can work out with your baby in tow!
Active Moms Club
Tighten your abs, rebuild your pelvic floor and strengthen your lower back in a baby-friendly postnatal recovery class. Personal training and other group exercise classes are also available, and there is a childcare room for sessions without your little ones. i.d. gym, 2727 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Baby Boot Camp
You can take a traditional stroller exercise class, or mix it up with Strollga, a yoga-esque class to help improve posture, balance and strength. Moms in the western ‘burbs can also sign up for a four-week healthy eating class or join the free moms’ group to connect with other active families. Classes in Naperville, Oswego and Plainfield. See website for details.
Bloom Yoga
Don’t give up your yoga routine just because life is a little more complicated with kids! Bloom Yoga has you covered from conception to kindergarten (and beyond). There are prenatal classes and mom-and-baby yoga, which is a great place to connect with other new moms while on maternity leave. As the kids get older, sign up for parent-and-tot yoga, where toddlers up to age 2 play in the center of the room while the adults sneak in some yoga poses. It’s a no-judgment class where frequent breaks to breastfeed or to break up fights over toys are common. Storytime yoga encourages 3- to 5-year-olds to begin practicing yoga poses along with mom by incorporating kid-friendly postures into a story. 4663 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, 773-463-9642
CocoonCare
Cocoon Care is a one-stop shop for moms who want to stay fit. Start off with prenatal yoga while you’re pregnant, and then bring baby along to postnatal weights and cardio or barre classes. There are also baby-and-me yoga classes, interactive music classes for toddlers, and “Final Push” classes designed to prep your body for labor. There’s even a new moms support group, lactation and infant care seminars, massages and acupuncture. 409 W. Huron St., Suite 100, Chicago, 312-265-0615
Fit4Mom/Stroller Strides
Who knew your baby’s stroller is actually a gym on wheels? The popular Stroller Strides classes combine power walking or jogging with intervals of strength and toning exercises to give mom a total body workout. Stay after class for an impromptu play date when moms release their little ones from their strollers. Also check out Stroller Barre, for a baby-friendly barre method workout. Classes available in Chicagoand throughout the suburbs. See website for details.
Fonseca Martial Arts
Learn karate moves alongside your preschooler at the Karate Tots class. Burn a few calories while your little one develops motor and listening skills in a fun environment. Classes for older kids and birthday party packages are also available. 600 Ivy Court, Kenilworth, 823 1/2 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 2940 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 847-866-0200
Grateful Yoga
This Evanston studio offers a full range of yoga classes for moms, including prenatal, yoga for childbirth and postnatal yoga classes that welcome babies. They also offer a family yoga class (dads and partners encouraged to join!) designed to soothe the sore muscles of sleep-deprived parents. You’ll also learn some basic infant massage techniques and baby yoga poses. 1108 Davis St., Evanston, 847-849-1810
Hip Circle Studio
Rebuild your core strength after childbirth at “Mamalates,” work up a sweat while dancing with your 1- to 3-year-old at “Dance With Me, Toddler!,” bring your 7- to 12-year-old daughter along with you to any adult fitness class, or sign up your whole crew for “Family POUND,” an upbeat class that combines drumming, pilates, cardio and isometric movements. Those are just few of the unique offerings for moms at this inclusive and body-positive dance and fitness studio in Evanston. 709 W. Washington St., Evanston, 847-328-5767
Kidical Mass
Get fit while logging some QT with your littles at a family-friendly bike ride inspired by Critical Mass. Rides are 2 to 4 miles on residential streets and festive dress is encouraged. Events take place on rotating Saturdays and Sundays in different Chicago neighborhoods and Evanston. See website for details.
Prenatal Fit
If you’re looking for a wide variety of classes in one place, Prenatal Fit is it. They offer everything from mommy-and-me boot camp and an aerobics class where you wear your baby in a carrier to a baby-friendly Latin dance class. When you want to work out on your own, on-site babysitting is available for $8/child ($4 for siblings). Also check out workshops on topics like cloth diapering, toddler speech, infant massage and essential oils. 1937 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago, 773-697-8530
