As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to only work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

Baby Strong Workout Review

I couldn’t have been more excited to have had the opportunity to review the Baby Strong Workout, brainchild of personal trainer and mama Jennifer Johnson, through my partnership with Fit Approach. Ninety percent of my strength training these days is at home and given that Baby T is currently going through a super-clingy stage, a workout that incorporates him is ideal. I’m actually writing this review one-handed, with a sleeping Baby T on my lap. That right there should give you an idea of the level of attachment parenting going on in my life. 

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

Disclosure: As a Fit Approach ambassador, I was able to try the Baby Strong Workout for free. Additionally, this review is a sponsored opportunity. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Baby Strong Workout is printed on a deck of laminated cards, ring-bound with a couple of those plastic loops that babies love to chew on. Not only can your little one not destroy your workout cards, he or she can also play with them while you’re doing the heavy lifting (literally). I even linked on one of Tanner’s toys so he could shake it about and make excited noises at it while we did each workout.

Every single exercise in the Baby Strong Workout deck incorporates your baby, either as your weight, or simply held in your arms. Even the stretches have baby involved! Not only can you pick and choose your own workout using the single exercise cards, you can also follow one of the pre-made workouts included in the cards. Additionally, each card is color-coded so you can quickly see which ones are for lower, upper, core, or total body. The cards unclip from the enclosed plastic rings, so you can create your own workout and just have those cards on hand – this makes it so simple to work out without flipping through the stack, or losing your place.

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

THE CHALLENGE:

Work out for five days straight doing only the Baby Strong Workout.

THE RESULT:

I cheated a little, since I’ve begun marathon training, so I needed to get some running workouts done during my challenge week. When I had a running workout planned, I made sure I did one of the less challenging workouts that day (read: NOT lower body!).

I was surprised at how effective the workout is. Many of the exercises were definitely challenging for me. Jenn is a personal trainer with many years of experience, which is obvious when you see the creative and effective exercises she’s chosen for each of the workouts in the Baby Strong deck. For most of the week I also found myself doing that thing where you either grimace or actually cry out in pain as you get up from a seated position. 

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

Since Tanner is weighing in at nearly 28 pounds now (he is NOT messing around with his weight gain goals), I took the advice seriously to modify when necessary. In fact, there were some exercises I needed to regress a couple of steps, since a heavy, wiggly, squirmy weight made them next to impossible. A wall sit is hard. A wall sit with a heavy 10 month old, who will randomly squirm and try to lunge at something just out of his reach while your quads are burning? Hard doesn’t even begin to cover it.

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

After (and in fact, during) my week of the Baby Strong Challenge, my butt and abs in particular were constantly sore. It was clear that the workout was challenging my muscles in a different way than they were used to. I know by maintaining these workouts, which are only going to increase in difficulty as my little man grows, I am going to see amazing results.

I was so impressed with the Baby Strong Workout that I reached out to Jenn to ask her some questions about how Baby Strong began:

You came up with the idea for Baby Strong because your son wanted to be worn and held all the time – did you start doing workout moves with him, or was it just walking at first that gave you the idea? 
 
It’s important to slowly progress back into exercise after pregnancy, so initially I started off with walking and some postpartum recovery exercises. Then as my body got stronger and I was ready for more intense exercise, that’s when I started doing workout moves using him as my weight. I was already holding him all the time, but these moves added a little extra oomph that I needed. The idea for Baby Strong came to me in the first few months after delivery as I was experiencing struggles with how to stick with an exercise program when I couldn’t put my baby down. 
 
What was behind the decision to fund-raise in order to make the Baby Strong program a reality? How scary was that for you? What was the response like to your idea?
 
Doing a Kickstarter campaign is a great way to get the word out about your product and to build a community of supporters before you even launch. That being said, it’s extremely challenging and most projects either don’t even get selected by Kickstarter to even start or don’t get funded. It was very scary and a lot of work. Every day was a roller coaster ride. I had heard from other successful Kickstarters how difficult it is but I didn’t fully understand until I experienced it myself. The response was great! People were very excited about the product and went above and beyond helping me spread the word.
As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad
 
You’re a personal trainer – have you tried out baby-wearing and holding exercises with your clients?
 
Yes, I’ve done baby-holding and baby-wearing exercises, both in one-on-one sessions and group classes. The majority of private training sessions and group postpartum classes I lead include baby so I’m always trying to find ways to incorporate them into our workouts as much as possible.
 

What benefits does Baby Strong provide for mamas which they maybe wouldn’t get from working out in the gym, or solo?

Baby Strong allows mom to have bonding time with baby while she’s working out, and bonding time is SO important. Moms also feel a lot of guilt around many things and Baby Strong helps to get rid of some of that. Moms, of course, shouldn’t feel guilty for taking care of themselves, but mom guilt is something that we all feel and it can be so strong as to make us stop taking care of ourselves. Baby Strong also helps mom build functional strength. Lifting, carrying, holding, twisting, pushing, pulling – doing these moves with baby as your weight helps to prepare your body for things you actually do in your life. It makes it easier for you to do those things. Baby Strong is also great for baby too. Not only does baby get to spend quality time with mom, but she is also working on her own physical development and starts to see exercise as a fun, healthy thing that is a regular part of life. 

I know that not every mom has a high needs baby like I did or that every mom wants to workout with her baby every single time she works out, and that’s totally fine. Baby Strong can be a great component to mom’s exercise program. If mom is able to and enjoys going for solo runs, for example, or taking yoga classes, then she can definitely do those things and also do Baby Strong. 

What’s the best feedback you’ve had from people trying the Baby Strong Workout? Have any dads tried the workout, that you know of?

I’ve received overwhelming positive feedback. I love that it’s a sneaky challenging workout that people tend to underestimate and think it won’t be that challenging but then when they try it they are pleasantly surprised at how great of a workout they got. I also LOVE that every mom and dad tells me how much their baby enjoyed the workout. Yes I have had dads try the workout. I’ve done a few classes for dads that went so well! They came in thinking it would be a piece of cake and it was hilarious watching them sweat through the exercises. They had great senses of humor and loved getting to spend time with their babies. 


Are you a new mama (or dad)? Want to try out the Baby Strong Workout for yourself? You can save 20% on the $24.95 RRP by using the code SWEATPINK when you purchase the Baby Strong Workout cards.

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

Mamas, did you ever try any baby-holding workouts when your kids were little ones?

As part of a Baby Strong Workout review, I was challenged to work out using ONLY the Baby Strong Workout exercises, all of which incorporate baby (yes, even the stretching!). Result? Holy sore butt and abs! Check out why this is such an effective exercise program for new moms. #ad

10 thoughts on “Baby Strong Workout Review”

  1. Ok that looks more challenging than any regular work outs i ve seen in a long time!! But baby T looks like he is really having fun!! Also the baby-proof cards are an awesome idea! I would definitely try it if I was a mama! Working out AND spending time with your little one! Sharing it for all my mama friends!
    ellen recently posted…Weekend shenanigans!!My Profile

    1. Thanks Ellen! And yes, Baby T is no joke when it comes to lifting. He’s definitely been giving me a workout!

  2. This looks like a really fun way to get moms moving! I see a lot of new babies in the office, and the moms all tell me they don’t have time to workout…I beg to differ (inside where they can’t see it) but this might be just the thing for me to suggest! Thanks for sharing.

    1. It’s so much fun! I used to walk and run with my first son and I’d do hip hinges and things like that with him, but this workout is on a whole other level – it’s so comprehensive! This is going to be my baby shower gift for mamas-to-be from now on – you should definitely suggest it to your co-workers.

    1. Yes, I loved that part – I mean, any baby is going to shove whatever is close to them in their mouth immediately, so the fact that it was basically a toy as well is genius. Down to the plastic baby rings to link them up!! So smart. πŸ™‚

  3. This is such a great idea! I love that the cards tell you what, when and how because as a mom with a baby, you don’t want to make working out anymore complicated than it should be!
    Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…LatelyMy Profile

    1. Right?? I mean, I’m a personal trainer and I remember when I was first out and about with Roman when he was a baby and I’d walk with him and do a couple of easy exercises with him as weight when I thought of it, but you’re so all over the place and kind of brain-dead and overwhelmed – having it all set out for you is KEY. This is such a clever idea and the workout is clearly devised by someone with a lot of experience and knowledge. I was super impressed.

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