This past October, I was contacted about becoming a social media ambassador for Fit4Mom Chicago. Now as the title reads, this is an “honest review,” so I am inclined to tell you that I had never heard of Fit4Mom. However, the words “Stroller Strides” basically jumped off the page as I imagined myself pushing my littles alongside all those Mamas I would pass in front of the Diversey Driving Range.
You see, I have been living in Chicago for over five years now and in this time I have made three friends; two have since moved out of state. I have spent the majority of the last three years pregnant, nursing, and caring for two little girls (while maintaining a full-time job outside of the home), and it saddens me to say that I have failed miserably at making any “mom friends.” So as one may imagine, I was quick to reply to Caitlin (my Fit4Mom contact) to let her know I was definitely interested. I mean this was a no brainer, not only would I be able to work on my fitness, and meet new moms – I could bring my kids! Why is that a benefit you ask? Well it would mean that I would’t have to pay a sitter, or worse, negotiate with my husband to have this “me” time.
Unfortunately, the class times for Stroller Strides did not align with my daily work schedule. But, Caitlin was able to save the day with an offer to join the upcoming “Body Back Mini Session.” I wasn’t one hundred precent certain on what this would entail, but I was one hundred percent committed to finding out!
For those of you following along on Instagram, you know that I anxiously posted from the parking lot of the Drucker Center prior to attending my first class. Like I mentioned, I was itching to get out and socialize with other moms, but had failed miserably in my previous attempts. Couple this with the nerves I was feeling about the class in general and I was one key turn short of heading back home and hopping on my treadmill. My thoughts went something like this:
- Would I be able to keep up?
- Would I pee myself?
- Would people be nice?
- Let’s be honest, I am going to pee myself …
- Will this even be a workout?
- Will these black pants hide the pee?
You get the idea! (And as I have already stated, and reiterated, this is an honest review so I must tell you that “yes” would be an accurate response to all of the above questions.)
I will have to admit, walking into the Drucker Center for the first time had me a little confused. It felt more like I was entering a middle school gymnasium for my little sister’s basketball game than preparing for a workout. And I won’t lie, the bathrooms are just shy of terrible. But, as you can see above, the spaces in which the Body Back classes took place had a fabulous dance studio charm. The exposed brick, mirrored walls, and overall industrial feel ironically humanized the place. The parking situation is also something to take note of – easy in and out is not frequently found in the city!
While Fit4Mom has multiple locations throughout Chicago (and the U.S.), each class I attended took place at the Drucker Center and was led by either Carrie or Ivette – the positive energy these ladies brought to class week over week was unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced. The classes were a good size (between 6-12 mamas), and the HIIT style workouts made the hour pass by quickly. Every session essentially kicked off with an icebreaker in the form of a question of the day which initiated a dialogue amongst the moms that carried throughout the class. Finally, a class where I felt as thought I was amongst peers!
The instructors were dialed in on the needs of each attendee; continuously offering modifications and making notes of any ailments people were experiencing to help ensure everyone was getting the workout they needed! And let me just say, I was feeling these workouts for days after each class! Classes varied from circuits to fun holiday themes (e.g., “Planksgiving”, Christmas tree decorating).
Aside from creating a fun environment, the instructors were truly determined to help each of us in anyway they could. When Carrie noticed that I was consistently running out of the classroom to pee anytime we did jumping jacks, she quietly approached me and asked if it would be okay to share some pelvic floor specialist recommendations with me – she sent me a list that very night!
What I am trying to get at was not only was this a class for moms, it was a class led by moms. This wasn’t Orange Theory or Studio Three – this was a place where a group of moms could come together to support one another in their goal to better themselves. There was no judgement on where you were at in your journey, just appreciation that we all had a common goal of doing something to not only improve our physical health, but also our mental health.
It is often all too easy to forget that you were someone before you were someone’s mom; and all too often, if we can even remember that person, we don’t think she deserves any attention. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Fit4Mom was just what I needed to get out of my own head, and my own house, to work on me a couple hours a week.
Thank you FIT4MOM for sponsoring this post.