Bridgeport Parks and Recreation is hosting a new fitness class which doubles as one-on-one parent and baby time. Taught by Tomeeka Langer of In Step Dance & Fitness, Rock-N by Baby will be taught 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Benedum Civic Center starting Monday, Jan. 21. Cost for the six-week course is $40.

 

Infants must be at least six months old and moms must be cleared by their physicians to exercise post-partum.

 

Rock-N by Baby utilizes basic dance moves and strength training to help moms get fit while wearing their babies in an ergonomic carrier, one that distributes the child’s weight evenly and comfortably for moms while giving good support to baby.

 

“My class incorporates cardio and weights to maximize endurance and strength,” Langer said. “It is the only baby wearing ‘fitness’ class in the state of West Virginia, as far as I’m aware. There are other ‘mommy and me’ type classes, but nothing specifically for the baby wearing community.”

 

The class was created by Langer, who has taught various fitness classes and is the mom of two young children. She explained why she was inspired and why it is so important to her and her lifestyle.

 

“I used to exercise and teach fitness classes on a daily basis until I had my first child,” she said. “After a traumatic birth experience, I suffered from severe post-partum anxiety, which kept me from being able to leave (the baby) at all for almost a year. Once I finally got back into a fitness routine after having him, we decided to have another baby and I knew that I needed a way to have my fitness outlet without having to be away from my kids, just in case the anxiety hit as hard as it did with my son.”

Already an adamant baby wearer who enjoyed dancing with her young son in the carrier, Langer said she was inspired to create her own baby wearing fitness class so moms – and dads – could come and destress through exercise while enjoying time spent with their babies.

 

“I pitched the idea to my long-time, good friend and business/studio owner Kim Bell of In Step Dance and Fitness and she was very encouraging of the idea which, in turn, helped me believe in myself enough to give it a go.”

 

She has since come to realize that her class is an excellent form of fitness for everyone of all levels of fitness – not just baby wearers – so all are welcome to attend the class. No baby required.

 

The class is designed to tone, strengthen and build muscle, as well as burn fat in a safe way. Exercise provides several benefits to new moms, including stress reduction, fighting postpartum blues, confidence boosting and better sleep patterns. One reason new mothers do not exercise is that they either don’t want to be away from baby or have no one to watch baby while they work out.

 

Rock-N by Baby solves that problem. Not only are the lively, fun sessions physically, mentally and emotionally beneficial to moms, but provide a good example to children that exercise is important.

 

If one of the recommended ergonomic carriers – such as Tula, Kinderpack, Lillebaby, Beco, Ergo and Mei Tei – are not available, moms can bring a non-stretch piece of fabric to convert a carrier into the ergonomically correct position for baby. Children must, of course, meet requirements for the carrier being used and moms can “back carry” babies who are at least one year old. Moms-to-be are also welcome to take the class, as long as their physician has cleared them for exercise.

 

Sign up at the Benedum Civic Center on West Main Street. For more information, contact Langer at Tlangerhcg@gmail.com or call 304-841-3872.