Fitness expert Nicole Glor of Nikki Fitness recently partnered with Huggies to offer Huggies Little Movers classes in various cities. For those who couldn’t attend a class, here are five great moves that Glor shared with participants. Try them in the comfort of your own home.
Mama/Papa Bear, Baby Bear
- With slightly bent knees, bend over and place your hands shoulder width apart on the floor, so that your body is in the shape of an inverted V.
- Walk your hands forward until you are in a plank or pushup position.
- Then, walk your feet forward, toward your hands back in the inverted V position.
- Repeat by again walking your hands forward to the plank position, almost in the motion of an inchworm.
- Baby will mimic and bear crawl next to you with their bottom in the air.
- Repeat 10 times.
Benefit for Baby: builds upper and lower body strength
Benefit for Mom or Dad: works upper and lower body, chest and core
Tick Tock Baby Rocket
- Stand with your legs apart holding baby under the arms in front of you and facing out.
- Lift your right leg off the ground and to the side, then switch position with left leg in a “tick tock” motion.
- Next, squat down letting baby’s legs touch the floor. Encourage baby to squat down with you.
- Push off the floor as you stand up from the squat and lift baby over your head like a shooting rocket.
- Repeat 10 times.
Benefit for Baby: helps strengthen baby’s legs and rhythm capabilities
Benefit for Mom or Dad: works inner and outer thighs, biceps, shoulders and chest
Horsey Gluteus
- Lay on the ground in sit-up position, and sit baby on your waist.
- Keep your hands on baby’s waist as you raise your bottom and waist up from the ground and then back down in a bouncing motion. Baby bounces, wiggles and works to balance on your waist.
- Repeat 10 times.
Benefit for Baby: strengthen core, lower body and balance
Benefit for Mom or Dad: works your gluteus
Swinging Six Pack
- Head over to the park, a gym for little ones, or anywhere that might have a safe swing for both baby and you.
- Put baby in the swing and encourage them to pump their legs for momentum.
- Kneel on the ground and hold the swing in both hands sturdily.
- Shift your weight forward, slowly pushing and controlling the swing with your core and extending your body forward and as far out as you can.
- Slowly return to straight position, all the while engaging your abs and encouraging baby to keep pumping their legs to move the swing as you rest before the next one.
- Repeat until you feel the burn!
Benefit for Baby: builds muscle in baby’s quads
Benefit for Mom or Dad: works core, arms and chest
L Stand
- Help baby on all fours with their bottom facing the wall or mirror. Help them kick one leg back at a time against the wall or mirror.
- Once baby has the hang of it, get down on all fours in front of a wall or mirror in an inverted V with your head away from the wall.
- Slowly walk your feet up the wall, in a hand stand position, and hold for a 5 count.
- Baby won’t walk up the wall like you, but will wiggle and move as they put one let against the mirror or wall at a time. The mirror is extra fun for baby looking at themselves upside down!
- Hold for 5 seconds and slowly walk down. Repeat until you’re beat!
Benefit for Baby: builds baby’s upper body strength and cognitive development
Benefit for Mom or Dad: works upper body and balance