If you are a mom or dad with a young child and you are an avid jogger, inline skater or power walker (or want to be) and you want to be outdoors and stay fit with your baby you can still do it. More and more families are considering a baby jogging stroller. Times have changed - baby strollers used to be for gentle walks in the park. Not anymore - baby jogging strollers are here to stay - helping moms and dads stay fit and get fit. There are lots of strollers to choose from - so it is not easy to decide. Here are 10 things that will help you to decide which one is best for you.
1. Lighter the better. The stroller you choose should weigh less than 25 pounds. Strollers are made with either aluminum frames or metal tube frames. The lightest ones are those that have an aluminium frame. Not only are aluminum frames much lighter but they are also stronger and longer lasting.
2. Stroller wheels. The stroller you choose should have air-filled 16 inch wheels since they provide easy pushing for mom or dad, and they provide your baby with a comfortably smooth ride. Traditional jogging strollers have two back wheels and one front wheel. The goal with a jogging stroller is to reduce rolling resistance, and any wheels that are less than 16 inches in diameter just don`t do the trick.
3. Comfort for baby. You want your baby to be as comfortable as possible. The seat should be padded and made of a lightweight, breathable fabric. During your jog your baby may decide to take a nap. Look for a stroller that reclines by at least 25%.
4. Sun canopy. Everyone is now conscious of the destructive nature of the sun`s rays, and when out exercising you want to make sure that your son or daughter is fully protected. Each jogging stroller that you consider will have a sun canopy - but some will do a better job than others in providing protection from the sun. For maximum coverage for your baby make sure that the stroller you choose has a sun canopy that rotates 360 degrees to block the sun`s rays no matter which direction your run takes you.
5. Safety is top priority. Your child`s safety is the top priority when choosing a stroller. Strollers with a 5 point harness will keep you baby safely and securely in their stroller. You want to be able to stop your stroller when you need to. The strollers with a hand brake similar to a bicycle`s hand brake will provide the jogger with reliable stopping power. When the stroller is at rest you will want to secure it with a parking brake which is usually a foot activated bar that is positioned behind the rear wheels.
6. Folds easily. Make sure that it can be easily folded with a one step process that one person can do (there is not always a second person available to help you) for placing into a car trunk. If it compacts to no more than 45 inches long, 25 inches wide and 18 inches tall it will fit in most cars. For even more compactness make sure it has quick release wheels that pop off and on with a push of a button.
7. Handlebar adjustment. If people of different heights will be using the stroller a very good feature to have in your stroller is the ability to - with a push of a button - change the height of the handlebar. Some strollers now provide the ability to change the height of the handlebar anywhere from 35 in. to 43 in., and it can be done even while on the run.
8. Accommodate baby as they grow. The last thing you want is to have your child outgrow their stroller. It should be rated to hold a baby that weighs up to 80 pounds, and can hold a child that has a seated height up to 25 inches.
9. Guarantees and returns. Jogging strollers are an investment in your health and your baby's happiness. You want to make your purchase with confidence. Make sure that it can be returned to the retailer with no hassles if it just isn't right for your family. And there should be a guarantee on the stroller frame of at least five years, and a guarantee of at least one year on the non-frame part of your stroller.
10. They range in price. Make sure it fits within your budget. You can purchase a good jogging stroller for as little as $280 and you can pay over $1,000. Sometimes you are paying for the `brand name`. Select your stroller based on your family`s needs and the features that are important to you. Remember, that it is a multi year investment in your child`s health and your family`s happiness. If you are able to afford $280 a jogging stroller can become an important part of your life.
Use this list of ten things to do to list which stroller features are most important to your family. Then use your list to help you to purchase the stroller that best meets your needs. - 16004
1. Lighter the better. The stroller you choose should weigh less than 25 pounds. Strollers are made with either aluminum frames or metal tube frames. The lightest ones are those that have an aluminium frame. Not only are aluminum frames much lighter but they are also stronger and longer lasting.
2. Stroller wheels. The stroller you choose should have air-filled 16 inch wheels since they provide easy pushing for mom or dad, and they provide your baby with a comfortably smooth ride. Traditional jogging strollers have two back wheels and one front wheel. The goal with a jogging stroller is to reduce rolling resistance, and any wheels that are less than 16 inches in diameter just don`t do the trick.
3. Comfort for baby. You want your baby to be as comfortable as possible. The seat should be padded and made of a lightweight, breathable fabric. During your jog your baby may decide to take a nap. Look for a stroller that reclines by at least 25%.
4. Sun canopy. Everyone is now conscious of the destructive nature of the sun`s rays, and when out exercising you want to make sure that your son or daughter is fully protected. Each jogging stroller that you consider will have a sun canopy - but some will do a better job than others in providing protection from the sun. For maximum coverage for your baby make sure that the stroller you choose has a sun canopy that rotates 360 degrees to block the sun`s rays no matter which direction your run takes you.
5. Safety is top priority. Your child`s safety is the top priority when choosing a stroller. Strollers with a 5 point harness will keep you baby safely and securely in their stroller. You want to be able to stop your stroller when you need to. The strollers with a hand brake similar to a bicycle`s hand brake will provide the jogger with reliable stopping power. When the stroller is at rest you will want to secure it with a parking brake which is usually a foot activated bar that is positioned behind the rear wheels.
6. Folds easily. Make sure that it can be easily folded with a one step process that one person can do (there is not always a second person available to help you) for placing into a car trunk. If it compacts to no more than 45 inches long, 25 inches wide and 18 inches tall it will fit in most cars. For even more compactness make sure it has quick release wheels that pop off and on with a push of a button.
7. Handlebar adjustment. If people of different heights will be using the stroller a very good feature to have in your stroller is the ability to - with a push of a button - change the height of the handlebar. Some strollers now provide the ability to change the height of the handlebar anywhere from 35 in. to 43 in., and it can be done even while on the run.
8. Accommodate baby as they grow. The last thing you want is to have your child outgrow their stroller. It should be rated to hold a baby that weighs up to 80 pounds, and can hold a child that has a seated height up to 25 inches.
9. Guarantees and returns. Jogging strollers are an investment in your health and your baby's happiness. You want to make your purchase with confidence. Make sure that it can be returned to the retailer with no hassles if it just isn't right for your family. And there should be a guarantee on the stroller frame of at least five years, and a guarantee of at least one year on the non-frame part of your stroller.
10. They range in price. Make sure it fits within your budget. You can purchase a good jogging stroller for as little as $280 and you can pay over $1,000. Sometimes you are paying for the `brand name`. Select your stroller based on your family`s needs and the features that are important to you. Remember, that it is a multi year investment in your child`s health and your family`s happiness. If you are able to afford $280 a jogging stroller can become an important part of your life.
Use this list of ten things to do to list which stroller features are most important to your family. Then use your list to help you to purchase the stroller that best meets your needs. - 16004
About the Author:
FREE e-book and checklist Choosing a Baby Jogging Stroller is jam packed with things to consider when researching a jogging stroller. BabyTravelPlanet - FREE tips and articles on baby travel. They sell baby items such as Dreamer Design Baby Jogging Stroller
