Buggy Boot Camp Focuses on Hoboken Moms

There's a new way to lose your baby weight. 

Ethel Baumberg, a 26-year-old Wayne resident is bringing a new work out routine to Hoboken: Buggy Boot Camp.  

In a city full of young stroller moms, Baumberg is trying to use the buggies—including the babies—as part of the work out, in a special stroller fitness routine. 

"This is a great way to get moms outside into fresh air with their babies," Baumberg said in a phone interview. She said that working out with their newborns also eliminates the guilt new moms feel if they drop off their baby at the gym's daycare while working out.

Beside a way to work out, the classes are also designed to help the moms socialize with each other. 

"Exercise can really heal women," Baumberg, 26, said. 

Classes are 45 minutes and cost $15 each. Other than the class, Baumberg uses special weighted gloves ($25). The routine varies, but was designed by Baumberg, who also owns a fitness studio in Pompton Plains as well as a personal training company. 

Baumberg got the idea for Buggy Boot Camp when she trained mothers one-on-one with their strollers. Baumberg doesn't have any children of her own, but she said she often acts as a baby sitter during the classes.

"There are so many moms who are isolated," Baumberg said. She said she one day simply thought: "Why don’t I create a program that makes them feel good about themselves that lets them be with the baby?" 

If a baby starts crying, the group—which usually consists of about three women and their babies—will wait until the child is quiet. While one mother consoles her baby, the others will do some jumping jacks, Baumberg said. 

Hoboken's Buggy Boot Camp started in April and runs through November. Baumberg said she is returning with a new, expanded program in April, 2013. 

Where can you find the classes? Locations are in Hoboken at Pier A Park (meeting spot: fountains), Jersey City near the Korean memorial (155 Washington St.), Montclair at Brookdale Park (parking lot near track), and we are going to have additional locations next spring in Colts Neck, LBI, and one at the Willowbrook mall in Wayne.