Baby-Friendly Fitness Classes Around Philadelphia
Here's where you can bring your baby along for yoga, Pilates, core strengthening and more.
These local baby-friendly fitness classes, including Fit4Mom’s Stroller Strides, are perfect for when finding a babysitter during your gym sesh proves impossible. / Photograph courtesy of Fit4Mom.
If you’re a parent (especially to a newborn or toddler), you’re probably finding yourself a little more strapped for time for exercise. Thankfully, Philly has a number of fitness classes where you can bring your baby along with you. Check out these fitness classes around Philly where you can practice yoga, Pilates, strengthening your core, and more.
Active Mom Fitness
The Class: Family Pop-Up Workout
Frequently throughout the summer, Active Mom Fitness hosts free, outdoor family workouts followed by picnic-and-play time. Dates and locations vary for these pop-up sessions, so check their Instagram or subscribe to their newsletter for updates. Also, babies are typically welcome during private and small-group classes at Active Mom Fitness’s studio.
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Be Well with Beth
The Class: Outdoor Stroller Workout
Local dietitian nutritionist and fitness trainer Beth Auguste runs pop-up stroller workouts at Columbus Square Park in Passyunk Square. (Currently, they’re happening on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.) Expect body weight training with provided resistance bands, with options to either hold your baby as you exercise or let them stay snuggled in the stroller. If you have an older child, Auguste provides chalk and other toys so they can draw and play while you exercise.
FIT4MOM
The Class: Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre
FIT4MOM runs two different stroller-enhanced, babies-welcome workouts: Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre. The former features total-body conditioning — think strength training, cardio, and core restoration — while the latter incorporates barre, yoga, and Pilates moves to improve stability and posture. And as the class names imply, your baby will be with you every step of the way in a stroller. The group also hosts prenatal fitness classes, plus a stroller-friendly run club and toddler yoga every so often. See the schedule for locations and times.
Fitness Alive
The Class: Baby & Toddler Bubbles
Ready to take the plunge and start teaching your baby how to swim? Baby & Toddler Bubbles is meant to help children ages five months to three years feel comfortable in the water and strive toward independent swimming, with mom or dad guiding along. It takes place at both Fitness Alive locations (Center City and East Passyunk).
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The Living Arts Dance Studios
The Class: Any of the Mommy/Daddy & Me classes
The Northern Liberties dance studio runs designated classes for toddlers (ages two through four) and their caregivers in five-week segments every season. Offerings include Creative Movement & Acro, Ballet & Tap Combo, and Hip-Hop & Acro. View registration details here.
Philly Dance Fitness
The Class: Mommy & Baby Yogalates
Combining yoga, Pilates, and holding your baby, this class focuses on muscles most affected by carrying and breast-feeding babies, like those in your back, shoulders, and chest. During class, babies will be held during certain exercises, and rest on or near your mat during others. Gather a group of at least three other parents and email Philly Dance Fitness to schedule your semi-private session.
Tuck Barre & Yoga
The Class: Bring Your Baby to Barre
Tuck Barre & Yoga has been running an outdoor baby-friendly barre series this summer at Drexel Square, the grassy area of Schuylkill Yards. Classes are 45 minutes and free, and are composed of postnatal-friendly moves enhanced by your baby in their carrier or on a blanket while you’re doing mat work. (So, BYO baby carrier and blanket!) The final classes of the summer take place on Sunday, August 14th and Friday, September 16th — both at 9:30 a.m. Register here.
Y2B Fit
The Class: Baby Bump Barre, BYO Baby Barre
These pre- and postnatal barre classes work to strengthen muscles most impacted by pregnancy and delivery — mainly the core and pelvic floor. During the BYO baby class, you’ll be “wearing” your baby in a front carrier, so your kiddo should be a pre-crawler. Currently, Y2B Fit offers these classes via their on-demand library so you can take them any time you want!
Yoga Home
The Class: Baby & Me
Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Yoga Home in Conshohocken hosts Baby & Me, a 60-minute yoga class designed for parents/caregivers and their little ones. Expect movement and poses for both adult and baby that’ll help with bonding and connection. Infants to pre-walking kiddos are welcome.
This post has been updated since originally publishing in 2019, and includes additional reporting by Kayla Cotter.
