Croton Stroller Club Mixes Baby Time With Workout Time

It’s the best of both worlds: getting in shape while spending time with your child. It's what the Croton Stroller Strides club has been doing for more than a year. The mothers meet up at locations like Croton Landing Park, armed with strollers, their children and the will to get fit. Their workout routine builds the moms’ muscles while keeping their babies entertained. It’s also a great way to make new friends and talk about raising children.

The Stroller Strides club’s history is as unique as their approach to fitness. The group was founded by former reality show television producer Abby Hartley.  Before moving to the area from California three years ago, Hartley’s first stop was White Plains. While there, she found camaraderie and a newfound passion for working out with a Stroller Strides group in White Plains.

“It was such a great way to get to know moms in the area. And it was such a central place for everybody to get together,” says Hartley.

So when the mother of a two-and-half-year-old son and 14-month-old daughter moved to our area, it made sense for her to start her own Stroller Strides group right here. And Westchester isn’t the only area where Stroller Strides has become popular. There are now more than 1,000 Stroller Strides groups across the country. Entrepreneurs are able to start their Stroller Strides club by paying a franchise fee.

The fit moms from the Croton area don’t let the winter and bad weather put a crimp in workouts. Instead, they take their routine inside—working out in places like the Jefferson Valley Mall.

Elizabeth Hiller recently joined Stroller Strides. She was looking for ways to meet new people when she moved to Croton last fall with her husband and infant son.

“For me being new to the area and being a new Mom, it’s just been an incredible way to meet other people that live around here and have babies of similar age,” says Hiller.

Hiller, whose son is 9-months-old now, says the workouts are just part of the fun. After they finish their routine, they relax and talk while the babies roll around and play.

If you would like to find out more about the club, email Abbey Hartley at abbyhartley@strollerstrides.net or you can visit their website.