Recently in Fitness Category

Don't you wish there was a place you could take your kids where they could play, take classes, you can enjoy a good meal and get spa services done all at the same time? Sounds like Fantasy Island? This place is real, I went there and wished it was next door to my house. It is the Tree House Social Club in Los Angeles, started by 2 moms (of course), Jeannine Chanin and Tricia Leigh Fisher. The giant space has a tree house in the middle with dining tables to one side and class rooms and additional play areas on the other side. There is a manicure pedicure room, a private spa room for massages and facials, video game room, art room and a room for dance and music classes. They provide babysitting service for an additional fee so you can actually enjoy your spa services, otherwise, you just enjoy your lunch and coffee while your kids run around and play in the big play space, right where you can see them. I had lunch there and the food is excellent! It would have to be for this concept to work because the idea is that moms should enjoy the experience as much as their kids. Mommies meet there for lunch and enjoy real conversation - seriously! They also hold special events like slumber parties where they bring in local sample sales to entertain the moms while kids watch movies, make crafts as well as enjoy the visiting clown or magician. I am sorry to make everyone outside of LA jealous but I had to share this concept so that more of these will open in every neighborhood!! The open Play is $9 and memberships are available starting at $35. For more information visit The Tree House Social Club website.

First Fitness Kids Treadmill ($109.99) and Exercise Bike ($89.99)

I love the idea of educating kids about health, nutrition, and fitness. I think it is fantastic to keep kids active. The treadmill and exercise bike (both above) are only the beginning of exercise stuff that First Fitness Kids offers. You can also purchase dumbbells, balls, fitness mats, and pedometers. In our house we have an adult-size elliptical machine and a treadmill. My daughter loves trying to workout on the machine I am not using, but I am always telling her no afraid she will get hurt. With this pint-size equipment, there is no need to worry. However, I fear what might happen if these items end up in the home of the weight obsessed. Would a parent actually force their kids to exercise for a specified time each day? Then, I think the premise of First Fitness would backfire causing your child to revolt against *Arnold* and hit the couch. Remember fitness for kids should be fun and enjoyable.

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As many moms fear not being able to return to their pre-baby size post-baby, so did I. I completely relate to Gwen Stefani and her reported waistline woes, although she appears to have it under control to me. Like her, I have been on a diet or watched every morsel put into my mouth since Junior High. A virtually impossible feat when your parents are in the restaurant biz. Anyhow, fast-forward several years (let’s not specify how many), and here I was eight months pregnant with my first child approaching a fast food joint to satisfy the craving of the moment. “Who am I?” I thought to myself. I smell french fries and gain weight. I shudder to think what is going to happen after I actually eat them and wash it down with a chocolate milkshake?? After ordering I pat my beautiful belly and decided it should take only a dozen spin classes to get rid of this one craving splurge. Great! And, that was my third trip in a week. My body will never rebound. But then, I found the solution: stroller skating, a mom friendly version of roller skating! Thunderbird Skate Center in Plano, Texas devotes Thursday mornings (9 am – 12 noon) each week to let moms wither away their waistline while having fun with their kids. Just strap on your skates, push the stroller on the rink and you are off. I met a group of friends there regularly. We had a blast chatting and listening to mommy music all while squeezing in our daily workout. I returned to my pre-baby size in no time. If you have more than one child, toddlers are welcome too; although, I haven’t tried it yet. Outside the Plano area, visit rinktime.com to see if your area offers a similar program.