Even parents who don’t jog love their jogging strollers. Why? They are made for durability, moving smoothly on most surfaces, and most of them fold up and are easy to unfold quickly with just a few movements. They’re made for parents on the go with parent storage as well as attachments such as trays and adaptors for fitting it with an infant seat.
In short, they can do a lot more than a traditional stroller and jogging strollers work more smoothly too. There are a lot of features in a jogging stroller that make them preferable for every parent, jogger or not.
Jogging Strollers Features:
Sturdy Construction – They’re made to be abused and used often since those who do jog are going to do it on a daily basis or at least three or four times a week. So, it has to be made not to fall apart at frequent use.
Steers Easily – Joggers have one wheel at the head and two at the back which makes it steer easily and turn on a dime. That makes it a lot easier to jog with and even just walk with because it’s not likely to get suck and become immovable. Be sure to lock it though when you don’t want to move.
Storage Space for Trips – Since it’s a jogger, the makers realized you would probably leave your house without your purse and other carrying bags so they make a space for parent storage that’s usually big enough even for a short trip to pick up milk at the grocery store.
Better Shock System – Since it’s designed to work on many surfaces, it has a shock system that helps avoid bouncing the baby too much. Some of them have adjustable shocks too so you can change it depending on the terrain.
Overall, More Durability – They are made to be used and will not wear out as fast as a regular stroller. This is especially true if you’re not going to job with it and use it as a normal stroller.
Adaptability – With adaptors to fit it with an infant seat or eating/playing tray that makes your jogging stroller even more useful. For short mall trips you may still want to get a small easy umbrella model but if you don’t mind the extra bulk and have a bigger vehicle you probably only need one.
As you see there are plenty of reasons many parents decide that they only need a jogging stroller for all purposes whether they jog or not. They like how easy they are with turning and moving on all terrains and how it doesn’t shake around and jostle the baby due to the better shock absorbers.
However, read the information carefully that comes with your jogging stroller because many recommend against using them with infants for jogging because it can be dangerous for an infant not to have their head supported.
Tips For Jogging With A Stroller
Jogging with a stroller might sound easier than it is. But there are actually some safety issues to think about for both you and baby to ensure everyone stays safe.
• Do Not Use a Normal Stroller for Jogging – You may be surprised to know that regular strollers aren’t made for speed and when you jog, you’re going pretty fast which can cause the four wheeled strollers to become wobbly and unstable. You could wreck the stroller and harm your child.
• Use The Wrist Straps – Wrist straps are there for a reason. If you trip or lose your balance, or you’re jogging down a hill, you don’t want to accidentally push your stroller into traffic and the wrist straps can prevent that from happening.
• Use the Wheel Locks – When you’re not using the stroller but your child is still sitting in it, lock the wheels to avoid having a run-a-way stroller issue. They’re designed to push very easily and kind of glide across surfaces so they will roll away if you don’t lock them or hold on to them. Plus, there is a special way to lock the front wheel when running, don’t skip this part, it’s easy to do without stopping.
• Check Your Posture – Running with a stroller is a little different from running without one. If you’re not careful and don’t have everything adjusted properly you might hunch over and end up with a painful back or shoulders. The wrist straps will come in handy to help you rest your hands without losing track of your baby.
• Check The Weather – You want to be ready for anything so always check the weather before you leave your home to jog with your jogging stroller and baby. Bring sun screen and dress your child appropriately for the weather.
• Check The Route First – Before taking your baby with you on a jog in a jogging stroller, jog the route alone first to ensure that it’s a safe route to take the baby. Check the terrain, traffic and other factors before deciding to jog with the baby.
• Bring Diapers, Drinks & Snacks – Depending on the age of your baby you should be sure to bring diapers, snacks and drinks so that you won’t get 3 miles into your jog and have an uncomfortable, unhappy baby.
• Check The Age – Most stroller companies and doctors do not recommend jogging with your baby until they are at least 6 months old. Check the age limits on the stroller for more information.
• Use The Child Harness – You never know what is going to happen, and while many kids do not like the harnesses, if you start using it from day one, they’ll become accustomed to it.
• Run in Safe Areas – It’s one thing to run on that narrow road up the mountain when you’re alone, but with a baby just don’t do it. Find places to run where cars don’t go.
• Switch Arms – When using a jogging stroller, it’s designed to move easily across the surface. Use the wrist straps and feel free to push with one hand at a time so you can make your pace more natural.
• Make it Fun – Jogging 10 miles without a break may be too much for your child. They need exercise too. Try breaking up your run with visits to a park, and other places that your child will enjoy and look forward to.
Safety is the most important factor in which type of stroller you choose, jogging stroller or not. Be sure to keep that in mind as you look for the type of stroller you will purchase.
Best Sellers Jogging Strollers
Let’s take a look at the top selling jogging strollers in different price ranges. First, make a list of the features you believe are most important and nonnegotiable, and then make a list of wished for features, and then set a budget.
Be careful, joggers can get quite pricey but you’ll probably not regret the purchase. Don’t forget that you might be able to find a used one, ask around and check out your local second-hand baby stores.
• Baby Trend Expedition Jogger, Vanguard – This sturdy jogging stroller offers great value for the low price compared to others. It even offers extra storage underneath and handles well. It won’t fit in your trunk if you have a small car, but it works very well for its intended purpose.
• Graco Relay Click Connect Performance Jogger, Linx – This model is about double the price of the Baby Trend model but it folds easier so you can take it with you if you have a smaller car. You don’t need any adaptors for connecting a Graco infant seat to it. It works well on many types of terrain.
• BOB Revolution SE Single Stroller – This very maneuverable jogging stroller is lightweight, folds down tight, and is easy to open. You can get an accessory adaptor to attach snack trays and a car seat within the same brand but also for Graco, Chicco and Peg Perego infant seats. Many moms swear by this one.
• Chicco TRE Performance Jogging Stroller, Radius – Like to walk or jog in the country or in fields? This might be your best bet. With its large wheels, it’s easier to push on a variety of terrain. What’s really cool is that it’s so durable that if you get muddy, you can just hose down the wheels and it’ll dry quickly and remain undamaged.
• Thule Urban Glide 1 Sport Stroller – Complete with ergonomic handlebars, special real suspension and compact for easy storage, this durable jogging stroller will last a long time. You can also get plenty of accessories to make it even more usable.
There are many other brands of strollers to look at but these are some of the top sellers that moms are raving about. You may look at some of them and get sticker shock but don’t despair. You can save money by buying used, waiting for sales, or maybe someone might get you one if you put it on your baby shower registry list.
