Maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a parent can be challenging. It’s hard to find the time to exercise while juggling all your other responsibilities. The solution? Find ways to stay fit with your baby in tow. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Stroller Routines:

Working out with a stroller is a great way to exercise while spending quality time with your child. You can easily interact with your little one while performing your favorite (or soon-to-be-favourite!) routines.

Standing routines (great for outdoors!):

Side lunge with single arm chest fly

It can be something as simple as doing lunges while high-fiving your workout buddy. Try putting one handle of a resistance tube through the other, forming an anchor around a stationary pole or gate. Stand next to the pole with your closest hand to it holding the handle. Move into your side lunge by stepping away from the pole with your opposite leg while bringing the handle across the front of your body and away from the pole, high fiving your baby at the other end. Aim for 12-15 reps on each side, 2 times.

Alternating forward lunge with chest fly

Try a forward lunge toward the stroller—and make silly faces as you move toward baby! Loop the resistance tube around a pole and grab each handle while facing outward toward the stroller. Hold each handle away from your body on either side and move into a forward lunge away from the pole while bringing both arms together in front of your chest (and in front of your baby—try wiggling your fingers to keep her excited!). As you step back from the lunge, open your arms again. Alternate legs for 12-15 reps, and repeat 3 times.

Alternating reverse lunge with single arm rear fly

We’re adding an oblique twist to this one so you can interact with your child each time you lunge! Loop the resistance tube around the pole again and hold the handles with your arms outstretched in front of your chest, facing toward the pole. Step backward into a lunge. On the same side as the foot that’s stepping back, bring your arm back toward your child and twist your body outward with your arm. Then move your body, arm and leg back into your starting position. Repeat on the same side for 12-15 reps, then switch. Try 2 sets on each side.

Side kicks at the stroller handlebar

Use the stroller handlebar to stay balanced while doing side kicks. Make sure the stroller is locked before you start and use just a light grip on the bar—avoid putting weight on it. Rest your left hand on the handlebar with an outstretched arm while standing straight, and then hinge your hip laterally to move your upper body toward the bar. Bring you right knee up while you hinge and then extend it out to the right, tuck it back in, and return it to the ground as you stand back up straight. Repeat 12-15 times on each side, 2 times.

Mat Routines:

Pushups with toe tickles

If the mat is more your thing, try tickling your little one’s toes during a pushup sequence. Get into pushup position either on your knees or toes, with your upper body facing the stroller. After you’ve pushed up, reach up to your child’s toes with one hand and give them a tickle. Be sure to alternate your tickling arms for the best workout.

Mountain climbers with toe tickles

Again, start in pushup position with your upper body facing the stroller. Alternate running your knees into your chest 4 times, then pop up into a squat and reach out with both hands to tickle the toes again. Put your hands back on the ground, extend back into your high plank, and repeat. Try 5-10 reps, repeated 3 times.

Crunch with chest press

Sit on your mat facing your stroller. Put your resistance tube behind your back and hold the handles in front of your armpits—choke up on the tube by looping it around when you grab the handles for extra resistance. Lower down into a crunch and as you crunch back up, extend one arm out across your body (and towards the stroller), then bring it back toward your armpit as you lie back down. Alternate arms each time you crunch for 15-20 reps. Try 3 sets!

Running with Baby:

Especially when baby is on board, be sure to stay alert to your surroundings, stay on well-lit trails, and keep your cell phone nearby. It’s also a good idea to tell someone where you’re headed, just to be on the safe side. You can keep your child entertained on longer runs by bringing along a snack tray for quick bites and juice boxes

Stroller running games

If you can keep your child engaged during your runs together, they will likely view your exercise time in a more positive light. One way to entertain your little one is by writing down a list of items you know you are likely to see while running a particular route. Bring the list with you and help your child cross off each item once you locate them together.

If your baby isn’t quite old enough to read, you can opt for a classic game like “I Spy” instead.

You don’t have to find time to get to the gym or sign up for an exercise class to stay fit as a parent. By getting your baby involved in your workout schedule, you’ll get the best of both worlds.