OH! Magazine - Australian Version June 2017 | Page 8

( Fitness & Motivation )
TRAINING WITH YOUR
TODDLER
Michelle Bridges shares her tips
to successfully training with a little person in tow.
ince having Axel, I’ve really had to
get creative with my training as
more often than not, he’s with me and if I
don’t work out how to workout with him in
tow, my work out won’t happen. I’ve
really gained a whole new appreciation for
how challenging it can be to train with
your toddler(s) around - but I’m always up
for a challenge, so here are my ways of
working around it all!
S
Push ups
For really little ones, lie them down
underneath you and do your push ups
over the top of them. You get the perfect
depth every time - give bubba a kiss on
the forehead at the bottom of each push
up!
For older littlies, have them get on your
back piggyback style, and do your push
ups with them as extra weight!
Alternatively have them lie to one side of
you, and do travelling push ups - do 1
push up with them on your left, then from
your high push up position, crab walk
sideways until they’re on your right, and
do a push up. Have them count your reps
and let you know when you’ve reached
your goal.
Squats
Either hold your bubba in front of your
chest or pop them in a carrier so your
arms are free. Do your squats with a
pause at the bottom, or pulse your squats
for a few reps at the bottom of the squat.
For older littlies, have them do wall sits
with you - slide your back down the wall
and walk your feet forward until you end
up in a position as though you’re sitting
on a chair. Hold for as long as you can,
counting the seconds. Have your child
keep count and aim to beat or equal your
time with each new rep.
Shoulder press
Holding your baby in your arms close to
your chest, push baby up overhead as
high as you can, then lower back to start
position. Optional kiss on the forehead
for every rep!
For older ones, have them stand on a
chair or table, and lift them off and down
to the floor. Have them climb back up,
and repeat the lifting down for as many
reps as your arms can cope with!
Kneeling core and balance
Lunges
Either hold your bubba in front of your
chest or pop them in a carrier so your
arms are free. Do alternating forward
lunges or walking lunges.
For older littlies, have them lunge with
you, they might do 2 lunges to every 1 of
yours, and have them keep count - great
for building their ‘fun feel’ for exercise
while building their math brains too!
8
OH! MAGAZINE ( JUNE 2017 )
Put your baby in a carrier on your back,
come to the floor in a kneeling position.
Extend one arm out in front of you and
the opposite leg out behind you until both
are parallel to the floor, repeat on the
other side.
For older toddlers, put them on a sliding
surface on your carpet (an upside down
frisbee works well!). Have them reach
their arms out to you, then grasp their
MICHELLE
BRIDGES
YOU CAN CONTACT MICHELLE VIA:
Web: michellebridges.com.au
Facebook: Mishy.Bridges
Twitter: @mishbridges
Instagram: @mishbridges
hands with your arms outstretched, with
your legs in a wide squat. Pull them
towards you and feel your arms, back and
butt working!