I was sure after the birth of my first child, some fifteen years ago, that no one could possibly share my feelings regarding new-motherhood. Tired, cranky, and certainly not at all impressed about my body's appearance, I resisted going out of the house for anything but necessities. I needed an outlet before both my brain and my body shut down from inactivity. I should have gone to Stroller Strides.

With the country engaged in the campaign towards physical fitness, it is no surprise that franchises like Stroller Strides have become popular. Geared towards mothers (and fathers, although so far no dads have stepped up to participate in AK) with very young children, Stroller Strides aims to return new parents to their pre-pregnancy/birth fitness level, or help them start an entirely new exercise program. Can we all say "Hallelujah"?

Intrigued at the measures moms and dads will take to get out of the house during the long Alaskan winters, I attended a Stroller Strides class Wednesday morning, along with about 8 other hardy moms.
Meeting up at the University Center Mall in Midtown, I met instructor Catherine who told me that the class would last approximately an hour and would incorporate power walking, strength training/toning at different stations, and some floor work to round it all out.

With a group of kids ranging in age from infant (Catherine taught class with her baby strapped to her; very impressive) to preschool, we hoofed around the nearly deserted mall in en masse, stopping four times for different toning exercises. I will stop right here and say that this is not the garden-variety mall walkin' mamas group. Not at all. This is a workout. Pushups, squats, wall-sitting, all those wonderful exercises your soccer coach put you through in high school were reintroduced in a much less threatening environment.

While moms sweated and powered along, many pushing double jog strollers, kids stayed somewhat strapped into their seats (a requirement at U. Center). We sang songs, swapped snacks and books to keep the wails at bay while working out, but still the potty breaks and meltdowns were imminent. But who cares? Not us. The nice thing about exercising with other moms is the unwritten understanding that if your child pitches a fit in the middle of the bicep curls, it's perfectly okay. That makes it a winner in my mommy book.

Stroller Strides offers classes at two locations in Anchorage and one location in Eagle River. The University Mall location also has the benefit of a playgroup post-class through Luna Moms. Information about both can be found at the Stroller Strides Web site.

Classes are spendy; $15 for a single, a 10-class punch card costs $100, and unlimited classes can run $50 a month. The first class is free. For some, the benefits of exercising with a supportive, like-minded group outweighs the cost; others may pooh-pooh the idea of paying to walk. But that is definitely a decision to be made after a hearty workout with these ladies. I came away pleasantly aching, not needing that afternoon run, and, I might add, with a clearer head. Works for me, and it might for you, too.