6 tips for working out with your baby

Prior to having my baby, I thought that working out while I had a baby would be simple.

“I’ve got plenty of support,” I told myself.

“I’ll just put the baby down with some toys and she can play while I workout,” I reasoned.

Well, even though I do have lots of support and yes, Isabella has a LARGE variety of toys to choose from, getting consistent workouts in is a challenge!

Getting THROUGH the workouts is a whole other story!

For example, today I did a weights session and I had to stop a number of times to do the following:

Move her away from a powerpoint
Reposition her away from the barbell, which she was hanging over
Change her nappy
Pick her up to comfort her when she fell over
Give her something new to play with (this occurred every few minutes)

All in a 45 minute workout.

Gone are the days of putting my headphones in and just focusing on the job at hand – lifting heavy stuff!

So while it is challenging, I’ve learnt some simple lessons over the past 16 months to help me make my workouts a reality!

Here are some tips to help you get through the workout:

1. Be organised

Kind of obvious, yes, but when you have to factor in naps and feeds so that your baby is happy for a small window of time, organisation goes to a whole other level! Have plenty of toys available to play with, too.

2. Feature your baby in your workout

They make awesome weights! Hold your baby while you squat, lift them over your head to work those arms and sit them on your tummy while you do sit ups.

Your baby will love it AND it ensures you get your workout done!

3. Stick to a plan

I plan out my exercise in advance for a full 12 weeks, so that I know exactly what I have to do at each session. It saves so much time, not having to work it out as I go along. If you need help making a program to suit your needs, enlist the help of a trainer.

4. Be flexible

There’s been a few times where I’ve had a workout planned for a particular day, but Isabella has been really clingy or unsettled and it’s just not possible to put her down. Accepting that and rescheduling for another day is pretty much all you can do. Part of being a parent means putting our children first, so the workout can wait, right?

5. Accept help

I’m slowly learning this! When my husband offers to take Isabella while I do a workout, I take him up on the offer. Part of what I used to really enjoy about my workouts pre-baby is the fact that I got to spend time alone, but obviously that’s just not possible for much of the time these days. So, when I get the opportunity for some “me time,” I grab it, gratefully. If there’s a crèche at your gym, take advantage!

6. Have a sense of humour

Having a little one grabbing your legs while you’re trying to squat or climbing all over you as you do some sit-ups is actually pretty entertaining!

There’s no doubt that some days I’ve been annoyed by having someone hanging off me all the time, but when I really think about it, Isabella isn’t going to be little forever, so I really need to embrace this special time… Even during my workouts!

So while my exercise sessions take a different shape these days, I’m not fazed. With a bit of planning and creativity and patience, it is possible for us parents to still look after our bodies on a regular basis!

How do you fit your workouts around your kids? Please share in the comments below.

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32 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 27 Apr 2024
    9:02 pm
It can be so hard working out with the baby! I try to use my stationary bike and talk to bub to buy some time!

- - meedee said
  - 21 Jun 2022
    10:19 am
My girlfriend had a little boy at the same time as i had my daughter. When they were both 2 I left my daughter with my girlfriend one day and she loved it. She said it was so interesting that my daughter loved to do the work outs with her where as her son was just not interested at all.

- - ella12 said
  - 05 Apr 2017
    12:00 pm
my little one and I love doing star jumps lol.

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 06 Mar 2016
    3:44 pm
I would love to be able to do this with my daughter. We like to dance together but its pretty unco and probably not very beneficial haha
- june11 replied
  
  31 May 2016 , 3:35 pm
  It’s better than nothing. Especially if your little one doesn’t have a day sleep at all. That is probably the safest time to manage some exercise. No risk of a sudden “attachment”, them getting in the way or causing distractions.
- - Mum to one said
  - 06 Mar 2016
    8:49 am
I definitely need to start working out! Finding the motivation is the hard part for me.. :-/

- - mom161664 said
  - 21 Nov 2015
    7:41 am
To give my husband time to bond with our baby girl I go swimming once a week. It took almost until she was 3 months to feel ready to leave her (!) but the 3 of us all enjoy that time. I feed her then leave the house so I know I need to smash out those laps so I can be back home within 2 hours. The good thing about doing it this way is it forces me to go as hubby really looks forward to his time alone with her.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 24 Oct 2015
    1:12 pm
I’ve learnt that if you are flexible about when and where you can exercise, then you are always able to fit it in. My son and I have a bit of fun with learning a couple of yoga moves and going through exercise routines we have downloaded.

- - mom94125 said
  - 17 Oct 2015
    3:20 pm
your child looks just like you darl

- - silvialee said
  - 17 Oct 2015
    2:51 am
do them in the morning when she is still soundly sleeping works for me.

- - mom113055 said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    3:30 pm
great working

- - mom113055 said
  - 13 Sep 2015
    1:08 pm
work with baby

- - dannsbuild said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    9:36 pm
Very cute! and really great tips and advice given!

- - Missey Grace said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    10:52 pm
What a great attitude… enjoy the difference.

- - dannsbuild said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    9:27 pm
Interesting to see a lot of people very interested! Good reading!

- - mom103920 said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    9:12 pm
Thanks Rachael, these are great tips. I find dancing with my toddler a great way to exercise (even though I can’t dance well – lots of laughs for anyone watching us). Easy to dance spontaneously, and every step counts.

- - rovermum said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    10:07 am
I have had to wait until my son was a teen and can spend some time in the house on his own. I do yoga at 7.30 when his Dad is home, and walk 3 times a week after school drop off. Hubby leaves at 5.30am in the morning for work so this has never been an option. I love that my son’s old enough now for me to concentrate on my exercising.
- mom94125 replied
  
  15 Oct 2015 , 1:20 pm
  yes it does get easier but it is great to get out of the house and take the baby for a walk
- - mom152736 said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    12:04 am
marvellous…. such an adorable compilation..im sure my baby will love it !

- - curlytops said
  - 05 Sep 2015
    11:54 am
It is harder with a baby to work out.

- - mom101628 said
  - 04 Sep 2015
    10:11 pm
Its more fun working out with someone else – and bubs come into that category!!!

- - Naomi said
  - 04 Sep 2015
    9:01 pm
I put my bub in a carrier and go for a walk. Great way to ‘walk with weights’ and he loves the outside time