By Terri Spilman
New mom and businesswoman Kara Babcock combined her passion for fitness and her love of spending time with her son into being the owner of a stroller fitness franchise called Baby Boot Camp, now offering classes to residents of Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville.
One of 165 locations across the country, Baby Boot Camp specializes in cardio and strength training for moms of infants and toddlers while providing a learning environment for the children and support group for the mothers.
All the 60-minute fitness workouts are done by the moms while the kids are in their strollers with exercises like peek-a-boo squats, pumpkin book burpees or bicep curls while saying the ABCs.
“It keeps the kids’ attention and it’s fun for them,” said Babcock, who also serves as class instructor. “The kids build up little friendships as well so they look forward coming to the classes because they have their friends too.”
Babcock is certified through the American Academy of Exercise and has undergone additional training through Baby Boot Camp to meet the specialized needs of prenatal and postnatal moms all the way up to moms of four-year-olds.
“I had to get all my certifications and that’s what makes us unique compared to other programs,” Babcock said. “You have to do intense training to make sure you are teaching proper form and that the moms are doing the right things no matter which stage they are prenatal or postnatal.”
Baby Boot Camp will initially be held at two different locations with consideration for additional times and locations based on demand. Classes kick off this week, and are at 9:30 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at St.Vincent Fishers with a 9 a.m. class on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Oct. 9 at Keystone at the Crossing.
Moms can try the class at no charge and can also participate in a stroller friends playdate group if they want to bypass the exercise and just want to connect with other moms. Babcock is planning to offer a Strollga – stroller yoga course sometime in the first quarter of 2015.
For more information or to enroll in a class, visit www.babybootcamp.com.
