Stroller moves

Tiffanie Nielsen does aerobic warm-ups and stretches on Monday morning with her 7-month-old baby, Jeremy, during a Stroller Moves class at Hutchins Street Square. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Stroller moves

Lodi resident has begun a new exercise class which provides mother, child interaction

By Pam Bauserman
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:13 PM PDT

Comments (4 comment(s))

Tiffanie Nielsen uses a stretch band to do bicep curls while singing "Wheels on the Bus," to her 7-month-old son, Jeremy.

"I love seeing him smile and giggle and laugh when I'm doing the nursery rhymes," she said.

Nielson, of Lodi, is one of a few women who take a new exercise class in Lodi called Stroller Moves. The class, which is 50 minutes in length, combines cardio and muscle-toning while giving exercising moms the chance to interact with their children and each other.

Lodi resident Leah Palmquist started the class as a way to stay in shape and still have a business. She said she found out about it through her sister-in-law, who attends the class in another city.

"I felt it was a great concept. I used to run, but with my husband working early, the time to work out wasn't there. I wanted to do something different," she said.

She added that it is a new idea for Lodi. The benefits for moms include a great workout, along with some "mom time" to chat about the kids and to spend quality time with their children. Older children often want to participate and she said it is an added benefit for children to see that fitness is important.

Tiffanie Nielsen reaches down to tickle her 7-month-old baby, Jeremy, after singing him a nursery rhyme while exercising in her Stroller Moves Class on Monday morning at Hutchins Street Square. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Palmquist, who is a former marathon runner, said many think they are going to have to run in order to attend. She said the class is not based that way. It was created for all fitness levels and those who attend can tailor it according to their own fitness level.

Neilsen likes the idea that the workout is made to fit each person's fitness level.

"Leah is the best. She is good at making you feel like it's OK if you can't do the high intensity," she said.

Palmquist said the size of the class varies from day-to-day. Although Mondays are the bigger days, a typical class may have from one or two people, up to four.

The class begins with some warm-ups, then a power walk with strollers. Next, members of the group use stretch bands to do bicep curls. Then, they do some step exercises and jumping jacks. Another power walk follows and then the group is broken up into two groups, each alternating between a relay race and jumping jacks. A power walk back to the original starting area, along with some abdominal stretches, finishes off the class. While participating in the different exercise moves, the group will sing nursery rhymes such as "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" to their children.

Palmquist said she gets many of the exercise moves through watching videos and programs. She will often make up the moves and actions for the nursery rhymes.

Stroller Moves class information

Class days and times: Mondays at 9:15 a.m. at the playground at Hutchins Street Square; Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Legion Park, at the corner of Hutchins and Vine; Fridays at 9:15 a.m. at Peterson Park, at the end of Elm Street in Park West; and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. at Hutchins Street Square.
Cost: $39.99 monthly, $10 for one class, $75 for a 10 class pass and $150 for a 25 class pass.
There is also a one-time registration fee of $40, which includes a Stroller Moves T-shirt, exercise tube and band, stroller tag and access to Stroller Moves parent resources.

Sylvia Corver, of Lodi, who has a 13-month-old son, William, said the class is beneficial for stay-at-home moms who may feel isolated from others.

"It's a wonderful class. It forces you to get out and do things when you don't feel like it," she said.

For the future of the class, Palmquist said she hopes to keep getting the word out and will keep adding more classes once it grows. She said other activities may be planned, such as play dates, a mom's night out or special meetings on days classes are not offered.

Moms who attend the class must wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing, bring a blanket or towel, a snack, drink and toy for children, water and a stroller in proper working condition. Palmquist said the first class is always free for moms to come and see what it's all about. Those interested in attending the class may contact Leah Palmquist at 277-4643 or by e-mail at j.palmquist@comcast.net.

Reader Feedback

Lodi Mom wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:38 PM:

" I think she has an agreement with Hutchins Street Square and Parks and Rec. Her business is going to be offered through Parks and Rec soon. "

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A fee? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:16 AM:

" Many mom's can start their own stroller group for free. www.meetup.com "

Report Abuse

Former Lodian wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:00 PM:

" I agree with booger. Does the city get a cut of the fees collected by Leah? Does she have a license to operate this type of business on city-owned property? "

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