Fitness
4 Ways Busy Moms Can Stay Fit, On Any Budget
Share
Ladies, can we all start by agreeing that being a mom is way harder than we ever imagined?
No matter what season of parenting you’re in, there are twists and turns that stretch us to limits we never imagined. Whether it’s toddlers that are up all hours of the night, or teenagers whose schedules require an advanced degree in logistics management–everything changes, and you get to figure it all out again.
If you’re like a busy mom like me, you may struggle to find the time and energy to fit exercise into your schedule—even though you know that it’s critically important for your mental and physical well-being. To help you reach your fitness goals (whatever they may be), I’ve compiled my favorite ways to get your workout in and your sanity back—all while sticking to your schedule and budget.
Make moves with a friend.
Time commitment: High
Cost: Free
For stay-at-home moms or mothers who work part-time, this is my favorite method of staying active. It goes something like this:
- Find a friend who has kids a similar age as yours
- Discuss your goals and plan ways to exercise together
- Strap the kids into their strollers and go for a long walk or to the playground/park
- Challenge each other to bodyweight exercises, like pushups or squats, while the kids are playing
Leverage the fact that you have some extra free time and use your creativity to move your bodies while keeping your kids busy.
1
Make moves with a friend.
Time commitment: High
Cost: Free
For stay-at-home moms or mothers who work part-time, this is my favorite method of staying active. It goes something like this:
- Find a friend who has kids a similar age as yours
- Discuss your goals and plan ways to exercise together
- Strap the kids into their strollers and go for a long walk or to the playground/park
- Challenge each other to bodyweight exercises, like pushups or squats, while the kids are playing
Leverage the fact that you have some extra free time and use your creativity to move your bodies while keeping your kids busy.
Work out with your favorite influencers.
Time commitment: Medium influencers
Cost: Free
The beauty of social media is that there are hundreds of fitness accounts you can follow to craft unique workouts every day from the comfort of your home. Whether you choose to watch YouTube yoga classes— like Yoga with Adriene —or follow fitness buffs on Instagram—check out @whitneyysimmons)—it’s easy to return daily for at-home workouts that are fast, convenient and free!
2
Work out with your favorite influencers.
Time commitment: Medium influencers
Cost: Free
The beauty of social media is that there are hundreds of fitness accounts you can follow to craft unique workouts every day from the comfort of your home. Whether you choose to watch YouTube yoga classes— like Yoga with Adriene —or follow fitness buffs on Instagram—check out @whitneyysimmons)—it’s easy to return daily for at-home workouts that are fast, convenient and free!
Make fitness studios with childcare your new BFF.
Time commitment: High
Cost: $30-$100/month
We all can agree that our kids are the best, but how glorious is child-free time? If you have a little extra in your budget, consider investing in a membership at a fitness studio near you that offers childcare. Most places will give you up to two hours of daycare a day—that means that you’ll have time to get a full workout, shower, and perhaps even blow-dry your hair so you can forego your standard mom bun.
3
Make fitness studios with childcare your new BFF.
Time commitment: High
Cost: $30-$100/month
We all can agree that our kids are the best, but how glorious is child-free time? If you have a little extra in your budget, consider investing in a membership at a fitness studio near you that offers childcare. Most places will give you up to two hours of daycare a day—that means that you’ll have time to get a full workout, shower, and perhaps even blow-dry your hair so you can forego your standard mom bun.
Invest in convenience.
Time commitment: Low
Cost: $30-$100/month
Convenience fitness is booming, and it’s all about making fitness fit your life. From at-home sweat sessions to taking classes at the new studio in your neighborhood, working out whenever you want, wherever you want has never been easier. Peloton offers its in-home cycling bike for $97 a month ($59/month for 39 months + $39/month subscription). Peloton’s classes range from 10–to 60–minutes from the comfort of your living room, so it’s easy to squeeze in workouts before the kids get up (or in between activities). If premium cycling equipment isn’t your style, MINDBODY offers individual workout classes, memberships, and deals at the best fitness studios near you, right at your fingertips. From trying your first HIIT workout to tapping into some calm from kid chaos during yoga class, MINDBODY makes prioritizing self-care, simple.
Let’s all agree that being a mom is the strangest mix of awesome, joyous, and downright exhausting. It’s hard to take time for yourself, but everyone wins when mom feels better—physically and emotionally!
4
Invest in convenience.
Time commitment: Low
Cost: $30-$100/month
Convenience fitness is booming, and it’s all about making fitness fit your life. From at-home sweat sessions to taking classes at the new studio in your neighborhood, working out whenever you want, wherever you want has never been easier. Peloton offers its in-home cycling bike for $97 a month ($59/month for 39 months + $39/month subscription). Peloton’s classes range from 10–to 60–minutes from the comfort of your living room, so it’s easy to squeeze in workouts before the kids get up (or in between activities). If premium cycling equipment isn’t your style, MINDBODY offers individual workout classes, memberships, and deals at the best fitness studios near you, right at your fingertips. From trying your first HIIT workout to tapping into some calm from kid chaos during yoga class, MINDBODY makes prioritizing self-care, simple.
Let’s all agree that being a mom is the strangest mix of awesome, joyous, and downright exhausting. It’s hard to take time for yourself, but everyone wins when mom feels better—physically and emotionally!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
Share
February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
