Let’s be honest. Finding time to exercise as a mom is hard. Most of the time, we moms feel tired, stressed out and even guilty whenever we do get the rare chance to hit the gym and squeeze in a work out.

If you often find yourself in this predicament, consider adding baby into your exercise routine. That’s right, there are many benefits to working out with baby including the following:

1. Fitting in Exercise Minus the Mom Guilt

Mom guilt is real and it often hits us when we’re doing something for ourselves like exercising. Adding baby into your workout routine will help allow you to ditch the mom guilt mindset while doing something healthy and enjoyable for you and baby! Plus, you’ll be more likely to stick with your routine without the excuse of leaving baby behind or having a sitter fall through.

2. Bonding Better with Baby

Did you know that working out with your baby can actually help you two bond better? Yes, when you take that designated time to include baby in your routine by holding eye contact during your squats or giving kisses during modified pushups, you are actually helping to solidify your bond with your little one while transferring your positive energy and excitement. Seeing your little one’s face light up while he or she watches you work up a sweat makes it all that much more fun, too!

3. Helps Baby Exercise, Too

Baby is growing and developing every day and has exercise needs just like you! Why not make your workouts beneficial for both of you to enjoy growing stronger and healthier together? If you don’t know where to start, tummy time has proven to have very positive benefits for new babies, so try setting baby down on their stomach on a blanket or playmate while you do planks or sit ups.

4. Increase your Energy and Improve your Mood

Exercise has been proven to increase energy, improve mood, promote better sleep and even help fight postpartum depression. If you find yourself feeling sluggish and struggling to keep up with your toddler, creating a fun exercise routine that involves your kiddos is a great way to combat those negative feelings and emotions while building a healthier you.

5. Build Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

Not only will regular exercise create a better, more confident you, but it will also help to set a positive example for your kids to show them the importance of daily health and fitness which will benefit your whole family. Make it a point to incorporate fitness into your family’s daily routine to spend more time together in a healthy, productive way.

Don’t want to go it alone? Consider working out in a group setting. Group fitness is super beneficial as it helps hold accountability, increase sociability, and improve will-power and confidence. When you join Fit4Mom you’ll experience even more benefits including the opportunity to get out of the house, meet new mom friends and become a part of a community of women striving for strength in motherhood.

To learn more about the classes we offer, click here. Your first one is free, so come join us at one of our two locations in Rock Hill/Fort Mill and Indian Land!

Photo by Becca Hofmann Photography