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Moms Get Fit
Workouts, races and yoga challenge all fitness levels
B Y LY N D A D E LL
Many moms today seek fun, unique ways to get fit. Popular trends include boot campstyle workouts, faceyourworstfears obstacle courses and aerial yoga.
Boot camp
When her kids were toddlers, Jessica Griffin, founder of and fitness trainer for NJ Fit Mom, wasn’t able to find a fitness program they could accompany her to. So, she
became a certified trainer and began her own outdoor fitness program. Griffin provides a babysitter for the kids while the moms participate in boot campstyle
workouts where fun warmup games lead into team exercises and partner drills.
Five years ago, Kendrya Close thought that she knew how to get herself in shape — until she met Griffin. “She literally ran up behind me while I was attempting to
work out at the park while watching my three youngsters and handed me her card,” says Close. “Because I joined the class, I am fitter at age 46 than I haveever
2. New Holistic Fitness Program
for Moms of Special Kids
(MOSK)
Beginning in January 2016,
Karen DeHaven, founder and
director of AHA! Studio for
Integrated Therapies in
Silverdale, PA, is developing a
program for frazzled moms
who care for a child with
special needs that
incorporates yoga and art to
reduce stress, restore balance,
and discover their creative,
vibrant self.
The session will begin with a
restorative yoga to release
tension and sharpen focus
followed by creating a soul
collage or “something that
feeds the soul of the mother
that taps into who she is and
what makes her feel alive and
renewed,” says DeHaven.
been in my life.”
The moms in the class trained for a 5K Warrior Dash. “Once you are fit, you want to start to compete a little bit and challenge yourself,” says Close.
Obstacle course races
The Warrior Dash and the Tough Mudder are part of a growing national fitness trend. Moms are drawn to these
physical challenges because as they run together they encourage each other to face their fears and conquer
obstacles — like the great warrior rope wall or the mud crawl — explains Lauren Gardner, public relations manager
for the Warrior Dash.
“The Warrior Dash is a fun way to be fit, a stepping stone to other competitions,” adds Gardner.
Women make up 35 percent of the participants in the Tough Mudder armystyle obstacle course competitions, and
that number is growing, says Jodi Kovacs , communications associate. Participants thrive on these adrenalinrushing
challenges and work as a team to overcome feats such as diving into ice cold water and army crawling under barbed
wire.
Yoga
Yoga continues to be a popular fitness option for moms. Kristin Ritter, founder/trainer at the Nourishing Storm Yoga
Studio and Café in Hatboro, PA, has even seen an upsurge in classes for postpartum and pregnant moms.
“The biggest misconception is that you need to be really limber and flexible to do yoga, but it can be practiced by
anyone at any age,” says Ritter, who offers variations of therapeutic and energetic yoga.
Recently Ritter participated in an aerial yoga class, a popular new form of yoga that uses silk hammocks hung from
the ceiling. She was able to perform all the yoga poses she does in regular classes with the aid of the swing.
“Aerial fitness may look intimidating, but it is accessible to all ability levels,” explains Zina DiTonno, owner and
certified aerial fitness master trainer for Aerial Fun & Fitness in Wilmington, DE.
“People do it because it’s fun and builds confidence,” says DiTonno. But it is also fantastic for strengthening core
areas and for circulation, balance and flexibility, she adds.
Fitness is more than being able to fit into your jeans, explains Griffin: “I think that there is something about fitness and
selfconfidence that carries over into other aspects of your life.”
When your kids see you taking care of yourself, you are teaching them a valuable lesson that health and fitness
matter. See Actionpacked Fitness Programs for Kids for fun fitness trends kids can enjoy.
Lynda Dell is a freelance writer and experienced PAcertified early childhood educator.
