I must look again at my job description – no one told me it included being a Nanny.
Each day I welcome moms and their toddlers into the Vibra-Train studio where I work. Maintaining and increasing fitness is essential to these moms who are “on call” 24 hours a day looking after their children. They tell me how much they gain from the short (10-15 minute) work-out time.
Weightloss, fat-loss, improved muscle tone and strength, re-balancing hormones naturally, reducing stress and raising serotonin levels in the brain (helps us feel good) are among the benefits gained; also the “time-out” from their busy day is a bonus and these ladies really enjoy their visits. They tell me both they and their children look forward to coming into the studio especially as I not only watch over and guide their training, ensuring they do the program correctly, but I also entertain their children while they train.
When I started working mornings at Vibra-Train some of mothers asked if we could get a playpen or set up an area where their children could safely play while they worked-out. This works very well in some studios. This studio is Head Office, workshop, and sports clinic, as well a regular Vibration Training Studio in a limited space so a different solution was needed.
It was easy, the solution was a ball, not just any ball; the previous instructor had brought in a big bouncy ball, which big bounced out the door onto the roadway all too often, but a light 500gram weight ball. It doesn’t bounce but its heavy enough to be “different” and the kids love it. The other toys I’ve added are a bright well-made plastic truck with a man who can be placed into the driver’s seat, and a simple coloring book with large, easy to hold crayons.
We strongly discourage children from climbing onto the machines, even ones that are not being used. Playing around any moving equipment and that includes vibrating platforms isn’t wise so I’m pleased my simple toys and a little attention makes this studio a very welcome place for mothers with young children.
