Hi all,
As a father of a 6 month old I'm struggling to keep up a good frequency of training. With working in the day I want to ensure that o spend quality time with my daughter as soon as I get back meaning that my training has suffered.
Do any other new dad's or parents have any tips to keep up fitness levels whilst still getting to spend plenty of quality time with their little one? I was tempted to purchase a running buggy to spend time together, or to buy a spin bike to get some cross training in before i go to work in the morning.
Thanks in advance!
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The best option would be to incorporate running into your working day (running part of your commute, perhaps?). That’s not feasible for me, so I tried running during lunchtime, but found it very inefficient with showering, etc. and as we’ve been laying off staff I didn’t think it was wise to be taking too many 90 min lunch breaks!
For me that means I run in the evening after I’ve put the little one to bed. I use a treadmill and a baby monitor, so I can deal with him if he wakes. I don’t mind treadmills, so it works well for me.
I aim for short but intense sessions, which leave time for a quick bite to eat and some time with the wife. It’s the best, most sustainable compromise for me.
Finally, I know many people like running buggies, but (a) it’s time consuming getting the child ready to go out, and (b) guiding the buggy is terrible for your arm swing & upper body rotation. For these two reasons, I would happily use one for a long-slow run, but for a 30min run each morning it’s too much work for too low a quality workout for me.
Thats just my view / experience.
I have 5 month old twins and have just gone back to work - I'm trying to fit my sessions in during lunchtime or after nursery drop off but before starting work on days I work from home (when I'd be commuting otherwise). I'll be taking them out in the double buggy on weekends once they're old enough, along with the husband. Healthy family time!
With the additional benefit of flexible hours I could always come in a bit late if I feel like a longer morning run, come in early and do a longer run straight after work, or work for an hour or two from home after the kid has gone to bed.
With the luxury of an office to store things, a shower at work and a job where I can eat while working(saves valuable «prepare and eat breakfast»-time), this should do the trick. But even if you don't have those things running to or from work is still possible. Lots of resources out there on the topic, and many tips for doing it without having a shower or a place to store stuff.
Good luck!
When it comes to wether or not it's safe I would argue that no manufacturer would make, sell and advertise these strollers if they weren't safe. The risk for lawsuits is to high, and stuff like this get's tested and tried out a million times before it get's approved for sale.
As i said though, mine are older so very rarely wake up needing me or the wife so when they have gone bed my wife watches her soaps etc and couldn't care less what I do with my time
She does tend to moan a bit if I run more than 4-5 times a week though...
As a tip that might work for others... as i didn't enjoy doing my long run in the evenings when its cold and dark, me and my wife reached a compromise where she gets a lie in on Saturday and Sunday and i get up early when the kids do, then I get to do my 2 Hour run Sunday afternoon!