Stroller Babes
New moms looking to get back in shape and socialize without incurring the cost of a baby sitter have just that opportunity, thanks to Lorre Shawgo.
The Callery woman operates Stroller Babes, an exercise program in which mothers work out while pushing their infants in a stroller. Groups meet two or three times a week in Allegheny County's North Park, Alameda Park in Butler Township and the Ross Township Community Center.
The sessions begin with a "birth party" that includes raffles and food before the workout.
Shawgo said the total-body workout involves much more than just pushing the stroller, as it includes periods where mothers stop to do lunges, squats, kicks and other toning and strengthening exercises.
"It is a workout even though the baby is with you," said Shawgo. "Plus you're in the park and you're doing more than just strolling."
Shawgo said any stroller can be used as long as it has a harness for the baby and brakes. Classes are 50 minutes long, and mothers can stop to pop in a pacifier or tend to an infant at any time.
"Obviously, the first priority is the babies," said Shawgo. "One mom had a very fussy baby, and she would be working out with one hand and rocking the stroller with the other."
Shawgo said some mothers of newborns must wait until their babies are a little older, so they are occupied by the sights along the way. She recalls one mother of a 7-week-old whose baby screamed the entire time. The mother gave up, then returned when the infant hit 3 months.
"Her baby was great," said Shawgo. "The age made the difference."
She said the Stroller Babes get all kinds of looks and comments during the workout. She said one regular North Park exerciser began calling the group the Rockettes because of the kicks involved in the program.
Shawgo said another benefit of Stroller Babes is the camaraderie between mothers, who look forward to adult interaction, as well as sharing baby-care tips.
Shawgo began the exercise group as a way to go back to work after the birth of her now-9-month-old, reluctant to return to the long hours required in her job as a paving estimator.
"I was looking for anything to keep from leaving him for 40 to 50 hours per week," said Shawgo.
A call to the New York City-based Strollercize company revealed that Shawgo had to become a certified Strollercize instructor to begin a local business, so she attended certification classes at the University of Pittsburgh and studied at home.Once certified, Shawgo traveled to New York City with her infant and mother for a meeting with the Strollercize founder and three days of intensive workout instruction.Once at home, Shawgo began handing out fliers in places where mothers and babies congregate. Her first class was held in North Park in early May, where six mothers gathered to begin their workout. She has held 15 sessions so far.Angela Maffessanti of Cranberry Township has attended seven or eight classes in North Park with her 3½-month-old son, Gianni, who gets excited when he sees the other babies. Maffessanti read about Stroller Babes in a Pittsburgh guide for parents."I love it," said Maffessanti, who was not pleased with the way her blue jeans fit — or didn't fit — after her son's birth. "It's a good workout, it's lots of fun with nice people and you get to talk about babies."Maffessanti said she feels stronger and notices her clothing fits better since she signed on as a Stroller Babe. She said her son also gets to be outdoors and benefits from the stimulus.Shawgo said she has begun sessions in Alameda Park for Butler moms who don't want to drive to North Park, and she is currently looking for a local indoor venue to use in the winter."It's not just a walk in the park," she said.For more information, call Shawgo at 724-538-8865.
