Stroller Workout with the Bugaboo Runner

If you’re a regular reader, or you follow me on Instagram, you know that I’m finding it a little challenging to accept my postpartum body while I begin the long, slow process of regaining strength, fitness and yes, something resembling my pre-pregnancy figure. While I’ve been doing a lot of at-home workouts, I was thrilled to partner with Bugaboo to bring you (and me!) this fun stroller workout, with the brand-new Bugaboo Runner!

While Baby T is still too little for going for a run in the Bugaboo Runner (yes, even with all his squoodgy chunk, the official age for babies in this model is 9 months), he can still enjoy walking with mama. He was also my sidekick in the workout photos below (well, his little baby feet are pictured). What’s awesome, though, is that big brother Roman is still shy of the upper weight limit of 37.5 pounds, so while I’m waiting for Baby T to chunk up some more, Roman and I can get some one-on-one bonding time during runs!

What Makes the Bugaboo Runner Different?

This is not your usual running stroller. For one thing, if you already own one of four models of Bugaboo – the Bugaboo Bee3, Bugaboo Cameleon, Bugaboo Buffalo and Bugaboo Donkey – you only need to purchase the Bugaboo Running chassis. Those models will snap right into place on the Runner frame.

There’s an easy, adjustable handlebar (which you’ll see in action in the crouching walk lunges in the workout below). It makes it super easy to adjust for height, as well as a quick transition if more than one parent or caregiver is using it.

It has awesome suspension (I was impressed how smooth the ride was on some of the bumpier paths in Prospect Park) and it has a fixed front wheel. Now, I’ve used running strollers before that have the ability to switch between a swiveling and a fixed front wheel, but I’ll admit I was a little worried about using something with only a fixed front wheel. You can still make a sharp turn in it (you know, like into the doorway of a cafe to grab coffee), but you have to push down on the handlebar to lift the front wheel off the ground, so the back wheels do the turning. It took a little getting used to, for sure. The boys’ babysitter was hesitant about it, but the fact that her and Roman’s favorite playground with the best froyo place is a 15 minute hilly walk away meant she tried it out. She said it took her three corners to get the hang of it. 🙂

The seat adjusts from sitting up, all the way back to fully reclined, if your little person enjoys a good nap while you run.

And best of all (I love this part), you can use it with the seat facing you! I LOVE this! I used to run when Roman was little and be peering through the window part, or not realize he was seriously cranky/bored until he started crying. Being able to look at baby while you run is a game changer! And look how easy it is – I posted this 15 second video on Instagram (so you know it takes less than 15 seconds to flip the seat!)

A video posted by carlypizzani (@carlypizzani) on Jul 27, 2015 at 3:00pm PDT

So while Tanner and I are just taking it easy walking, I figured it was the perfect time to come up with a stroller workout to do when you’re out and about. If you want to make it a run-plus-workout, you can definitely add in running breaks! Or, this could be a workout to do in between a running warm up and cool down.

Base your sets and repetitions on your current fitness level. Since this is still a pretty lightweight workout, despite Baby T’s 99th percentile weight, I do this as an endurance workout of 2 or 3 sets of 15 – 20 reps.

(As always, check out my disclaimer, since the workouts I post here aren’t always going to work for everyone!)

STROLLER WORKOUT FOR FIT MAMAS

WALKING LUNGES

With hands resting on the handlebar, push the stroller forward as you get in a set of walking lunges. Take long steps and work toward your lunging leg being at a 90 degree angle. The more you put your weight into the lunging leg, the harder your glutes and hamstrings have to work!

LATERAL LUNGES

Stand side-on to the stroller, with your hand resting on the handlebar. Lunge out to the side, with your weight in the lunging leg, then push off to come back to your starting position.

Note: Check my foot placement above: make sure your feet are parallel, so that it’s the lateral muscles in your leg doing the majority of the work in this exercise.

CROUCHING LUNGE WALK

Once upon a time, a friend who wanted some accountability asked me to go for walk/runs with her on the weekend. One time, I did a version of this stroller workout with her and my friend resented my insistence on SO MANY LUNGES. (Her words. Capitalized on purpose). Lunges are awesome for runners because it’s a strength building exercise for the very movements and muscles you use while running. #sorrynotsorry

The crouching lunge walk is similar to walking lunges except you do them crouched down low the whole time. You can see in the photo, I adjusted the handlebar to a lower setting so my arms are still extended straight in front of my body.

LEG EXTENSIONS

Fun fact: I actually call this exercise Bird Dips with my clients, because it reminds me of the little bird thing you clip on your glass that dips into the water. (Anyone? Bueller?) Anyway…

“Leg Extensions” will feel like a nice break after ALL THOSE LUNGES. For this one, you want a nice, tall posture, hands on the handlebars, then hinge at your hips as you raise one straight leg behind you, pushing the stroller forward as you do. The key here is to hinge at the hip – don’t even think about bending, or moving your back. Do one side, then repeat on the other.

ROWS

Do ’em narrow, or do ’em wide. Rowing is such a good exercise for mamas, because we are often hunched over, nursing or bottle feeding. Ideally, you would do this on a slight hill, so you could add more resistance by having to pull the stroller up and towards you. The Bugaboo Runner has a loop on the end of the wrist strap, which is perfect for rowing exercises. Take a staggered stance, then pull the stroller towards you – try it with your elbow in close (narrow row) or with your elbow winged out at shoulder height (wide row) so you’re working different muscles.

BICEPS CURLS

This is another exercise where a slight hill will make it harder. This time stand side-on to the stroller, holding the looped handle, then curl your hand up to your shoulder.

PLANK

My clients will all tell you, it isn’t a workout with Carly unless there’s at least one form of plank involved. (And believe me, I make them do many, many variations of plank.) So, let’s finish off your workout with a plank! Come around to the front of the stroller, place your hands on the bars on either side of the front wheel, then raise yourself up into plank position. Focus on contracting your glutes, quads and abs for this move. Keep your neck and head in line with the rest of your spine (looking at baby makes this easy). Hold for up to 60 seconds.

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I want to hear about it if you try out this stroller workout! Post a picture on Instagram or twitter, or Facebook and tag me! Tell me how much you appreciate so many lunges! 😉

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