Mar
9
Stroller Strides
Athena Fredricks is committed to motivating an important community inside our neighborhoods – the moms. Stroller Strides gives these busy women a chance to get in a workout and spend some social time with adults without having to find childcare, but these children are far from neglected. Many of the exercises involve singing songs to them and interacting with the child while in the stroller. You could call it the ultimate in multi-tasking!
She and her staff run classes throughout the week and around the city in locations like Fremont, Wallingford, University Village, Green Lake and Woodland Park Zoo, to name a few. Stroller Strides goes beyond a gym membership and really focuses on the participants getting to know each other. “We try to make sure every new mom makes a connection,” Athena told us.
If there is any doubt whether the plan works, Athena is happy to share her own story. She explained that people often expect to see a group of moms strolling along with their lattes. “We don’t do that,” she insists. When she first got involved with Stroller Strides she weighed over 215 lbs, but within a year she had dropped 75 lbs. She offers both low and high impact options that are approved for both moms and even pregnant women.
Beyond the workouts, Stroller Strides offers moms nights out, play dates and a community full of shared resources and support. Athena’s passion and exuberance for her work are written all over her face within a minute of getting her talking about Stroller Strides. “I have the best team,” she said proudly. She even tears up a little when remembering some of the notes and feedback she has received, adding, “It’s not often you do a job that makes such a difference.”
Stroller Strides Seattle
Facebook: Stroller Strides of Seattle
Story and Photos by Auburn Scallon
