Thousands of parents across the country are taking the jogging stroller down from the rafters this spring. More and more of these parents are looking forward to the opportunity of taking the kids for a jog. Not just because of the quality time spent with them, but also for the fresh air and the fitness benefits.

Of course, jogging while pushing the children is not able to provide you with the full body workout that an hour at the fitness center can potentially provide, but with more families keeping a tighter grip on their finances, many are finding that they can commit to a summer fitness plan without paying for a gym membership by purchasing a jogging stroller… and in most cases that purchase costs less than one month’s gym membership.

Jogging strollers can range in price from as low as $30 for a used one to several hundred dollars for high end models. One tip to scoring a great find on a jogging stroller is to purchase a used. Unfortunately, these items dont generally make it past the first half hour of a neighborhood rummage sale, so locating a nice stroller at a bargain price can be a little difficult.

StrollerWarehouse.com added a used stroller marketplace earlier in 2009 that does provide a great service to anyone considering buying one. With millions of parents in the United States selling used items online, there are literally thousands of used strollers available for sale… and you don’t have to settle for the bright purple one… unless that’s what you choose.

Take a moment to consider this scenario:

1. Young couple buys a jogging stroller

2. Takes it out 10 times on a local bike path

3. Puts it away for the winter and the following spring they realize their kids are too big for it, or that they now need a double stroller

4. Puts the stroller for sale online (because believe it or not… not everybody gets excited by neighboorhood garage sales)

5. You score a sweet used jogging stroller for $25 with $10 shipping, and the stroller tires still have those little “spikes of newness

So do I think that a jogging stroller is able to replace a fitness center membership? I personally couldn’t use it to replace my membership to the gym, but it does make for a nice warm up on the way to the gym and refreshing cool down on the way home,

Nearly all infants love riding in a stroller. More often than not, the stroller will soothe your baby to sleep. As an added bonus, if you have a colicky baby, your stroller time may be your only quiet time during your day. I knew one mother whose colicky baby cried from 3:00 P.M. to midnight on most days. She often put the baby in a stroller and walked a half-mile loop around her neighborhood — over and over again. Without fail, the screaming always stopped by the time she reached the end of the driveway, giving her the entire walk to collect her thoughts and wits before returning home. If you have more than one child, bring the older one along on your walks or walk with the baby around the playground while keeping an eye on the older one playing on the equipment.

In addition to giving yourself some needed quiet time, daily walks with your infant will help you to reduce stress and lift your mood, which can help fight off the postpartum blues that stem from shifting hormone levels. You’ll also bathe yourself and your baby in sunlight, which, research shows, will help you both to sleep better at night, particularly if you take a morning walk.

In addition to burning calories by walking, you’ll also tone your chest and arms as you push the stroller, especially if you take things uphill.

Start with an infant stroller that allows you to place your baby in a car seat facing you. This provides your baby more comfort, as many newborns don’t particularly like being flat on their backs. It also provides a better vantage point for you to see what your baby is doing. By around six months, when your baby can sit upright, you can progress to a jog stroller, which is lighter and easier to maneuver than the typical baby stroller.

Add a little extra push and a jogging stroller to your exercise regime and you’ll be back in top condition in no time! As well as single seat, many companies also offer double and triple seat models that are great for twins or toddlers. Jogging strollers come in a wide range of prices depending on the brand and the number and types of features of a particular model.

Aside from price, probably the most important feature to consider when comparing jogging strollers is the front wheel size. Although you can run behind any stroller, the small tires of traditional 4-wheel models make even a fast walk into a bumpy ride for baby. Unlike the traditional stroller, the 3-wheel jogging strollers are built to travel over grass, dirt, gravel and other rough terrain. Front wheel sizes range from 20+ inches to a standard 12-inch wheel. Large pneumatic (air-filled) wheels and suspension systems provide a smooth ride whatever the terrain. For joggers who prefer off-road running, many models are available with shock absorbers to add real cushioning to the bumps and dips in your route.

One factor to bear in mind is that typically, the larger wheel types have a wider turning ratio and are less maneuverable than smaller wheeled models. Although larger wheels aren’t great for shopping the aisles in mall stores, they usually mean a smoother ride for baby over rough terrain.

• The larger 20-inch wheels are best for off road exercise and running. In addition to a more comfortable ride for baby, your exercise will feel smoother as you pass over curbs and bumps more easily.
• 16-inch wheel models are probably the most popular picks for joggers and power walkers who stick to the trails. Especially important if you’re budget conscious, the smaller front wheel on these mid-sized jogging strollers make them more maneuverable for shopping but still provide baby with a smooth ride at exercise time.
• Even for a stroll through the park, you’ll find that the slender jogger design of 12-inch wheel jogging strollers is superior. For shopping, you’ll be down one aisle and down the next in a flash! Jogging strollers are also generally built with extra safety precautions for baby. For instance, many have features like a five point harness to keep your little one snug in place, front fenders to deflect dirt away from you and your little one, and adjustable canopies to keep the bright morning sun out of baby’s eyes. Hand brakes, foot brakes, and parking brakes are also standard safety items on many jogging strollers.

Other features of jogging strollers include reclining seats that let baby sleep as fast on a morning run as he or she does during the car ride to your favorite running trail! In addition, some models have cup holders that hold water bottles for both you and baby, parent organizer trays, and pouches or pockets for storage of small items like keys, wallets, or baby toys.

With the resurgence and newfound interest in healthy lifestyles across America, single jogging strollers have become one of the most popular accessories for mothers and their children. As more and more individuals are looking to get in shape and stay healthy, the purchase of single jogging strollers around the world has increased exponentially. With more and more units being sold every day, it is clear that America intends to regain its healthy attitude and new mothers are happy to join in. With so much difficulty involved in producing a child, it is only right that the recent happy mother has every chance in the world to regain her girlish figure. By pushing the single jogging stroller while running for exercise, the new mother can ensure that she regains her health in rapid fashion. With all this effort to stay in shape, the family can get a bit out of orientation, with today’s modern schedules of hectic routine. But with the jogging stroller, mom can take the baby out for a short time and get all the exercise she needs to stay in shape, or maintain her already healthy lifestyle.

With the focus on health and hardiness, the single jogging stroller can work wonders for the entire family, allowing mother, father and even siblings to take turns with the child while pushing the single jogging stroller during exercise periods. As more and more individuals look into increasing their levels of exercise on a day-to-day basis, it becomes clear that the popularity of single jogging strollers only makes sense in a world of sedentary lifestyles. Without some way to maintain good health and get regular exercise, it is very easy to become out of shape as middle age approaches. But with devices such as the single jogging stroller, it is easy for the entire family to get their exercise as frequently as possible while also taking the baby out for some type of activity.

Jogging stroller exercise is both healthy and fun for you and baby. However, just a little planning will also make it simple and easy. Planning ahead means thinking about your fitness level, the child’s health, which exercises to do, and where you want to do them. Here is a quick checklist of important considerations:

1. Consult your doctor. You will find that most doctors recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks after birth before you start exercising again. Of course, you should be careful about running with babies younger than 6 months.

2. Purchase a good jogging stroller (there is a great deal of material on the web for this). Whether you are a competitive runner getting back into shape, or a suburban mall-dad, or just a tired Mom looking for a way to get baby to fall asleep, make sure that your jogging stroller fits the activity that you have in mind.

3. Think about your running route and how long it will take. You may choose a stroll along sidewalks to your local park, jogging along a dedicated running path, or going off-road to hiking trails. Your choice will depend on your general fitness level, safety concerns, and your baby’s endurance. Either way, start small with walking down your street or around the block. This will ease you back into it, and get your little one comfortable with the new experience.

As you extend your routine, choose well-traveled trails with plenty of people around, and design your route in a circuit - so you finish back at home. If you must drive to your running spot, the circuit should begin and end where you parked.

4. Get organized before you step outside. Try to dress yourself and baby while you are still inside and then prepare the stroller for use. Preparing the stroller means checking the tires for flats, checking the brakes, and loading up all the things you will need: blanket, toys, sippy cup, snacks, music, water bottle for you, cell phone, keys etc. If there is someone else at home, you can prepare the jogging stroller outside while a family member watches baby inside. If you are alone with baby then you will have to get her ready and then prep the stroller with her in one hand! Get used to being a one-armed mother - but never leave your child alone while attending to the stroller.

5. Securing the baby: expand the stroller and lock the frame, and engage the parking brake before you place your baby inside. Make sure that all the shoulder, waist, and crotch straps are adjusted and that the buckle or fastener has snapped into place. Secure the wrist strap firmly and make sure the baby is comfortable before you get started. Now you are ready to roll!

6. While you are running: The two key things to remember are stride and posture. Running with a jogging stroller is a little different from normal jogging, so remember not to hunch over the handlebar and also not to bump your feet on the rear axle. If you have a naturally long stride, shorten it a bit. The correct running posture should have your shoulders relaxed and your chest pushed out, while keeping the stomach muscles firm. Your arms (i.e. from elbow to wrist) should be parallel to the ground with your hands lightly gripping the handlebar. Run at a moderate speed and never more than 10 to 12 miles per hour. Check on baby from time to time by glancing down through the peek window, or stopping at intervals.

7. Safety First: Make sure to stay alert and keep your wits about you! You are a parent first and a runner second - so do not get too engrossed in the exercise. Look out for cars, joggers, excitable dogs, and the like. This goes without saying, but never leave your baby unattended. If you stop to chat, keep your hand on the handlebar. If you are heading into a coffee shop and the stroller won’t fit through the door, take baby out and then go inside. A little commonsense goes a long way.

If you follow these easy tips, you and baby will be enjoying the fresh air in no time at all. Jogging with baby helps you reduce stress and shed those post-partum pounds, so get out there and have fun!