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Stroller deals

Having a baby is really expensive so it’s a good idea to save as much money as possible whenever you can.

I’ve put this page together to help save you guys some money because strollers can be a high ticket purchase.

 

18% discount at stroller depot

The 18% discount is valid for almost all products (some exclusions apply such as already discounted items).  They also stock a great variety of baby products, not just strollers.

COUPON CODE – strollerreview18

Link – strollerdepot.com

This offer is only valid for US customers.

 

Other deals

$50 Off Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Strollers, Now $199. Available In Red and Blue

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

$40 Off Maxi Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seats

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

$40 Off Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Convertible Car Seats

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

 

$130 Off 2015 Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller Now $569

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

$100 Off Mountain Buggy Duet Stroller; Now $549

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

$60 Off Baby Jogger City Mini Sand/Stone, Now $189

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

20% Off Baby Jogger City Mini Double Crimson

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

20% Off Thule Urban Glide Jogging Stroller

Deal expires 03/31/17

 

 

Save 20% on Uppababy 2016!

Deal expires 03/16/17

 

Save 20% off the Bugaboo Bee3!

 

 

20% off the Nuna Jett Mixx + Bassinet

Deal expires 02/28/17

 

Exercise Program Using Your Baby Stroller

February 9, 2016 by Jo

You have your new baby and decided to buy a baby stroller. You find yourself walking more and you want to get back into shape again. But your little baby has to remain close. How do you get fit again and have an exercise routine that accommodates your baby too?

Well now you can. You can take your baby along for the ride in the stroller and set up an exercise routine that will help you lose weight and quickly get back into shape again.

Try to exercise at least three times per week if possible.

Advise your doctor that you intend to start exercising just to ensure that everything is OK. If in doubt, have your doctor perform a medical before undertaking any exercise program.

 

Equipment

The aim of these exercises is to incorporate your baby stroller as part of your exercise equipment. However, feel free to bring along any other exercise equipment that you like using e.g. weights, stretching bands, skipping ropes etc.

Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)

This exercise program is intended to take 20 minutes but as you get fitter, you can extend this time period. Regardless of how long the exercise is, it is important to get your heart rate up. You can easily find your Target Heart Rate (THR) with this very simple method. Subtract your age from 226 (220 for men) to calculate your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR).

Warm up

50 – 60% of maximum heart rate: The easiest zone and probably the best zone for people just starting a fitness program. It can also be used as a warm up for serious walkers. This zone has been shown to help decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. It also decreases the risk of degenerative diseases and has a low risk of injury. 85% of calories burned in this zone are fats.

Fat Burning

60 – 70% of maximum heart rate: This zone provides the same benefits as the warm up, but is more intense and burns more total calories. 85% of calories burned in this zone are fats.

The 20 Minute Exercise Program

Warm Up (5 min)

5 minute walk with your baby in the stroller to loosen the muscles.

Power Walk (2 min)

Abdominals (2 min)

  • Stand straight
  • Raise both arms high above your head and join your hands together
  • Bend forward from the waist (approx 90 °) keeping back straight
  • Keep your tummy muscles nice and tight
  • Slowly stand up straight again and keep arms above your head
  • Repeat to the right side (as far as possible)
  • Repeat to the left side (as far as possible)
  • Repeat all of the above until approximately two minutes has elapsed

Stroller Squat (1 min)

  • Start with your feet slightly apart
  • Hold the stroller close to your body
  • Bend your knees and slowly lower yourself to the squat position
  • Push the stroller forward at the same time
  • Pull the stroller back in towards your body
  • Keep your thighs parallel to the ground
  • Stand up straight again
  • Keep repeating for one minute

Power Walk (2 min)

Stroller Lunge (1 min)

  • Start with your feet slightly apart
  • Hold the stroller close to your body
  • Take a large step forward to make a split stance
  • Try to keep your shoulders back and your back straight
  • While holding the stroller, bend your knees until your rear knee almost touches the ground
  • Move your body forward and simultaneously bring your rear foot level with your other foot and stand straight
  • Alternate legs for one minute

Power Walk (2 min)

Leg Lift (2 min)

  • Do a slow walk with your stroller
  • On each step lift your leg as high as possible
  • Continue for two minutes

Kick Back (1 min)

  • Stand upright with feet slightly apart
  • Kick back with one leg and bring feet back to standing position again while holding the stroller for balance
  • Repeat 15 times at a fast pace
  • Repeat for the other leg
  • Repeat 8 times
  • Repeat for the other leg
  • Repeat 4 times
  • Repeat for the other leg

Curb Step-Ups (3 min)

  • Find a curb that is not on a public highway
  • Use the curb like a “stair master” and step up and down while alternating legs on each step

(Optional) Bench Step-Ups (3 min)

When you get good at curb step-ups, you may want to make the exercise harder and this is a good way to increase the effort required.

  • Find an unused park bench
  • Step up and down on the seat portion in the same manner you used for the curb

Pushups (2 min)

  • Find an unused park bench
  • Stand behind the bench
  • Take a step back
  • Lean onto the bench and hold it with both hands
  • Do 10 pushups (more as your fitness level increases)

Power Walk (2 min)

Cool down (5 min)

This will take about 5 minutes. Spend approximately 20 seconds stretching each muscle. This will prevent your muscles from stiffening up and causing you pain later.

JOGGING STROLLER SAFETY

Ready to run? Before you start exercising with your stroller, have a quick read of these safety tips courtesy of the American Running Association:

  • Never take your hands off the stroller. The jogging stroller is designed to roll with as little resistance as possible, making it very easy for it to get away from you.
  • Don’t forget to consider your baby’s exposure to the elements. Use sunscreen and hats to block the sun (even in non-summer months). Use extra clothes in cold and damp weather. Remember, your baby isn’t generating any extra body heat and he/she has the wind created by your speed to deal with.
  • Don’t let your guard down on safety. Although the jogging stroller provides a convenient way for you to get out the door and run, the advantages don’t come without risks to your infant. Stay vigilant and your exercise can be satisfying and safe for both you and your new companion.
  • Stay focused: Leave your iPod and dog at home. Make this time simply about you and your baby.
  • Choose a good time — do not run at night when visibility is poor or when your baby is irritable and will distract you.

Summary

This whole routine takes 20 minutes (excluding warm up and cool down). Anyone can get fit in 20 minutes into their schedule and you will probably want to make this longer as you get better at it.

Do not expect instant results. But you should be in pretty good shape after 12 weeks. If you have a heart monitor, this can be really helpful in maintaining your heart rate at the optimal level but it is not essential for these exercises.

Filed Under: More info

Exercises to Reduce Mummy Tummy

February 9, 2016 by Jo

As a new mother, you are probably wondering how you are going to shed the extra pounds you put on during pregnancy. For most of us, our belly is the problem area and there is probably a good reason for this.

Sit-ups or crunches are probably not the way to go and these kind of exercises may even cause damage to your belly muscles or back. To understand why, we need to understand our abdominal muscles.

The Rectus Abdominis

 

The Rectus Abdominis is the outer layer of muscles that support your back and internal organs. They are the muscles that create that six-pack look on the stomach. When you are pregnant, these muscles stretch and separate.

When these muscles separate, the separation is referred to as Diastasis Recti (separation of the recti muscle). Because this muscle supports your back, this leads to back problems. When the muscles separate, they are joined together by a thin layer of connecting tissue. This connecting tissue is what is left to support your organs. “Mummy Tummy” is the result and your belly is really your organs not getting the required support.

Each pregnancy makes the separation easier to happen and generally worse. Certain exercises can help close the separation.

The Obliques

The Obliques are the middle layer of abdominal muscles. They run diagonally down the sides of the body. They join with the Recti muscle. Bending forward creates a shearing action between the Recti muscle and the Obliques and can make separation of the muscles larger.

Sports like tennis (especially the tennis serve) should be avoided as this can make the separation larger.

The Transverse Abdominal Muscle

Most abdominal exercise are aimed at the Rectus Abdominus Muscle. The Transverse Abdominal muscle is the larger, interior muscle and it acts like a corset. It provides most of our core strength and supports our lower back. It also connects to the Rectus muscle. This muscle is used for breathing. This muscle is the focus of the “Tupler Technique“.

How to tell if you have “Mummy Tummy” (Diastasis Recti)

If you have Diastasis Recti, you will quite likely have a tendency to slouch and have bad posture.

There is a strong likelihood that you will have abdominal or back pain whenever you try to lift anything. You will also have a tummy pouch protruding a little too far. Even with all of these symptoms, you cannot be sure that you have Diastasis Recti.

  • You can test to see if you have it by doing the following test.
  • Lie flat on the floor with your back on the floor.
  • Knees should be bent.
  • Place your hand on your tummy with your fingers pointing towards your toes.
  • You are going to check your tummy in three places.
  1. Belly button
  2. Three inches above the belly button
  3. Three inches below the belly button
  • Press down with your fingers on each of the above positions as you lift your head of the floor.
  • Keep your shoulders on the floor.

If a gap appears at any of these positions that let one of your fingers settle into it, then you have Diastasis Recti. The deeper the gap, the worse the condition is.

What not to do if you have Diastasis Recti

If you are diagnosed with Diastasis Recti, there are certain exercises that you should avoid.

  • Pilates
  • Any type of sit-ups
  • Any exercises that require you to lie on your back and sit up
  • Lifting objects by bending at the waist
  • Wearing a front carrying baby sling

What you can do if you have Diastasis Recti

  • When lifting objects, bend your knees, not your waist.
  • Carry your baby on your back or your waist.
  • Try to avoid slouching, especially if you are breast feeding. Raise the baby higher if required.
  • Diastasis Recti exercises such as those used in the Tupler Technique will help repair the muscles.
  • Take care to sit up properly from the prone position. Make sure to roll onto your side first and then use your arms to push up into the seated position.
  • Wear a support such as the Postpartum Binder Support. Supports pull the muscles closer together and this helps to heal the connecting tissues.

Exercise

Abdominal Exercises

Try the following Tupler exercise for Diastasis Recti repair:
The Tupler technique concentrates on abdominal exercises that train the transverse abdominal muscle, and is designed for mothers who have just had a child and wish to tighten a sagging stomach area.

  1. Lie flat on the floor on your belly
  2. Place your forearms flat on the floor approximately shoulder width apart and join your fingers together
  3. Position your toes on the floor approximately shoulder width apart
  4. Straighten your back so that your body forms a straight line while keeping your tummy off the floor
  5. Tighten your abdominal muscles by pulling your tummy in
  6. Try to hold this position for approximately 30 seconds to one minute
  7. Rest for one minute
  8. Repeat the hold position and the rest, a minimum of three times. Aim to get at least 5 repetitions as you get stronger
  9. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor
  10. Place your hands on your tummy with your thumbs reach towards your belly button
  11. Tighten your tummy muscles so that your hands move down a little towards the floor
  12. Try to hold this position for approximately 30 seconds to one minute
  13. Rest for one minute
  14. Repeat the hold position and the rest, a minimum of three times. Aim to get at least 5 repetitions as you get stronger

Try to repeat the above exercise three or four times each week. As you get stronger, extend the length of time that you hold each position and add to the number of repetitions.

Seated Tupler Exercise

Strengthen the transverse muscle from a seated position.

You can do one of the seated exercises (called the elevator) while watching TV or driving in a car. (Just make sure your back is supported and does not move while doing these exercises.)

  • Put your hands on your belly so you can tell that the muscles are going back towards your spine.
  • Now imagine you are bringing your belly button to your inner spine.
  • Hold it there for the count of 30. Count out loud as it forces you to breathe.
  • Now close your eyes and imagine that your belly button is going from your inner spine to your outer spine. It is a little isometric squeeze.
  • After you squeeze remember to keep it at your inner spine.
  • Do 10 of these little squeezes as you count out loud.
  • End with a big belly breath.

(You should feel this in your back.)
Do 10 of these exercises every day.

Summary

With proper diet and exercise, Diastasis Recti can be repaired. Do the exercises regularly and properly and you will eventually repair the damaged connecting tissues. In time you will have a tight, firm tummy and if you work really hard, you may even get that six pack you always wanted.

If you want to know how to lose baby weight, these exercises can really help you get back into shape again.

Repairing the damage will lead to better posture and a stronger back with reduced back pain. You will feel much, much stronger.

Filed Under: More info

Safety tips for your stroller

Mothers are familiar with their strollers and how to use them. They might know the essential things about the stroller yet there are many other items that may affect your stroller safety and as a parent, you should be aware of this.

Some of these items you should be familiar with, but some will not be so familiar. Continue reading and find out how to use your stroller and keep your baby safe at the same time.

The stroller will have an instruction book supplied with it. Before using the stroller, examine the instructions thoroughly.

Always read the instruction manual for your stroller.

Make sure you are familiar with attaching and detaching the stroller seat. There is an audible click whenever the seat or bassinet is attached securely on many strollers. The Bugaboo Cameleon is a good example of this.  Releasing the seat normally involves pressing the buttons on either side of the seat and lifting off. However this can vary slightly between manufacturers. Read the instruction manual to find out the correct procedure for your stroller.

The handlebar on many strollers can be adjusted for height. To avoid hitting your feet on the crossbar, make sure the handle is extended to a proper length.

It is sometimes possible to reverse the handlebar and this allows the large wheels to be positioned in front. This characteristic is very helpful when you have to travel over rough ground.

Do not get in the habit of hanging things from the handle bar. Surplus weight on the handle bar could cause the stroller to become unstable. It is better to use the cargo basket on the stroller (normally located underneath the seat).

At all times ensure your child is secured firmly in the seat. Always buckle the 5 point security harness on the seat. Never allow your child to sit in the seat unsecured. If the stroller ever did fall over they would be protected by the frame if they are correctly strapped in.

Some strollers can be easily converted into two wheel mode whenever traveling over rough ground or terrain. Try and use this feature when the opportunity arises.

When the stroller is in the 2-wheel mode it can be pulled over soft surfaces like gravel or sand much easier than pushing it. It is much less likely to overturn.

Use the brakes whenever you have to let go of the handle bar. When you are on a hill, this will keep your stroller from rolling away from you. Try to park the stroller at an angle on a slope as it will also be less likely to roll.

Make sure that you use the sun shade. Protect your babies skin from UVA and UVB. The sunshade on most strollers is quite easy to use and will block out up to 70% of the sunlight.

It is vital that you on no account, ever leave your child unattended whenever using the stroller. For obvious reasons stay near to your child and your stroller.

Check your tires regularly. Look for cracks on the sides. Make sure the tires are firm. Inflate the tires (if necessary) to the correct pressure if they are soft. Only ever use a hand pump as a garage tire pump could simply over inflate the tires which would be harmful.

When you can hardly make a dent in the tyre with your thumb, you will have inflated the tire to the right pressure. Remember – not all tires can be inflated.

Conclusion

As you can see, all of the above is just common sense however it is all important for the safe use of your stroller.

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