Staying active and loving our little ones can be an ongoing mental and physical balancing act – Can I leave him/her again today? Is it best for everyone if I exercise and get active, so I can give to my babies?
Well, there’s a best-of-both-worlds option – Mommy + Me Fitness classes are all the rage AND allow you to stay active and get in shape while allowing your little ones the option of nursing on demand or seeing you sweat, which so often we have to hide from them!
With a workout, distance is often a deterrent because we all know kids and cars and naps aren’t always the best combo, so here’s an alphabetized list of places for Mommy + Me fitness offerings based on location:
Ballantyne:
Ballantyne Fit4Mom now has their own Mommy and Me Fitness program featuring Zumbini, Stroller Fitness, Personal Training for Pregnancy, and Mommy / Baby Mat exercise classes. This is a community of moms where you can connect while working out with baby in tow, which almost seems impossible, but Fit4Mom workout programs are designed for this in mind. Not only do you get to work out, but your baby gets to see other babies.
Aqua Tots’s Mommy & Me baby swim classes are popular in Charlotte, offering you and your baby or infant a chance to bond in the comfort of the 90° pool. Parents are introduced to a variety of teaching principles such as proper holding techniques, safe water entry/exit, breathing control and water buoyancy. This baby swim instruction will assist both the parent and the baby by introducing a number of critical water safety skills and encouraging social interaction and fun. It’s irresponsible to teach a baby to enjoy the water, without giving them these important life saving skills. This may not be as active as you’d hoped for, but you can create ways for you to tread water or do other exercises while you and your baby are in the pool.
11926 Providence Rd. West, Suite E4, Charlotte, NC
704-612-4646
ballantyneinfo@aqua-tots.com
Dilworth:
This Charlotte Fit4Mom’s Spring Body Back 8-week mini sessions caught my eye. Their goal is to help give mothers opportunities to work out with their little ones but also to provide nutritional tracking, accountability and goal-setting. Stroller Strides® is also offered at this location. Your first class is free and they offer a variety of membership options to fit your schedule. See their Pricing page for details.
Fort Mill:
This Fit4Mom community’s Facebook page is the best way to keep up with fitness offerings and their social calendar, including play groups and Mother’s Nights Out. They also offer Fit4Baby, a national prenatal fitness class for expecting mothers. Another option is Mommy + Me Stroller Strides, which I first thought was solely a group of moms to walk and talk with. But, it’s actually a full body, comprehensive 60-minute workout designed to have your kid in tow, pretty super woman if you ask me! This group can also give you time with other moms to get tips and share some adult time.
Huntersville:
My Gym – Mommy & Me Yoga The youngest “My Gym” students begin their first visual, audial and spatial exploration as our precious Little Bundles, while their parents are guided through a program designed to carefully introduce music and movement in a variety of fun ways. Baby exercises, songs, dances, infant-safe rides, unique swings, and many other Parent & Me adventures await the infant-parent team. This fun and movement class also includes a brief parent discussion element. Each week, during this 45- minute program, parents participate in a dialogue about their children’s development and leave with informative handouts.
My Gym has 3 area locations:
9852 Rea Rd
(704) 543-0682
5110 2D Park Rd
704-522-6966
16610 West Catawba Ave.
Huntersville
(704) 275-3935
Myers Park:
Sign your child up to take Yaya’s Yoga with Ms. Yolanda while you take Hilliard Studio Method!
For children ages 3-7. Must be fully potty trained.
Reserve a spot under your name for your child. If you are bringing more than one child, please email info@hilliardstudiomethod.com to reserve multiple spots.
Yaya’s Yoga is a fun vinyasa flow designed specifically for children! During class, your little ones will release all their excess energy while discussing the importance of being mindful of their actions and words.
Ms. Yolanda Chisolm, founder of Yaya’s Yoga, has provided childcare for over 25 years. She currently teaches preschool at Little Church on the Lane and children’s yoga in the afternoons at the Vine Center for Children. After Ms. Yolanda began her yoga practice in 2008, it quickly grew from physical exercise to a way of life. She became a certified Grounded Kids yoga teacher in 2016 and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in February of this year. She is excited to combine her two passions — children and yoga.
Cost: $10 per child. Link here for schedule + sign up.
On a weekly basis, there are plenty of kids only classes, and infants are welcome at AIR Foundation on Tuesdays at 11 am ($10, infants in carriers welcome) at the Myers Park location. AirFit also offers monthly Mom + Me classes for children 5-7 and for tweens. Here are the classes for June:
- *Mom+Me AIR Workshop, June 2nd 12-1 pm (for kids ages 5-7), $40
- *Mom+Tween AIR Workshop, June 9th 12-1 pm (for kids ages 8-12), $40
This specialty AIR® Workshop is designed for moms with little ones ages 5-7. While mom gets a core and cardio workout using the silk hammocks, little ones can join in the fun for an unforgettable bonding experience of flipping, flying, climbing and twirling! No experience necessary, gymnastics/dance background a plus.
1043-C Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 249-6757
Plaza Midwood/Elizabeth:
Open Door Studios may not be for wee ones, but a great way to be active and learn new dance moves with your children, especially if they’re in the phase where talking to you is only when they need something and everything is embarrassing. This may loosen you both up and spark conversation and creativity, or at least, laughter.
1318-D Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 817-9281
South Charlotte – Providence Road:
From infant to toddler, The Little Gym of Charlotte on Providence’s Parent and Child classes promote early development and provide a strong foundation for your childʼs critical first three years. Weekly Charlotte classes will help your child achieve new milestones and prepare for more advanced challenges during each stage of growth. And since youʼre along for the ride, youʼll be right there to celebrate every discovery with smiles, hugs and the occasional adult-sized giggle.
2935 Providence Rd. Ste 206, Charlotte, NC, 28211
704-365-3838
South End:
Mommy + Me Personal or Small Group training is an option, but you must contact Karen Hill, Owner/Manager at info@firstwindcycling.com. This cozy neighborhood fitness studio has diverse offerings from barre to strength training and cycling and vows to help people from all levels of fitness backgrounds meet their goals.
1930 Camden Road #120, Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 207-0885
To find another Mommy + Me fitness group or to create your own, check out MeetUp or CharlotteMoms Facebook group to encourage comraderie in the tension of mothering and self-care. Be good to yourself AND your little one!
