Whizzing babies are becoming a street feature of Salford, thanks to Buggy Movers, which aims to get new parents physically and mentally fit. The group has acquired specially adapted three wheeler prams with thick tyres and safe harnesses that allow mums and dads to run while pushing their bouncing offspring, who seem to love it.
"Some kids call them 'race car buggies', they're suitable from birth to four year olds and are fantastic" says Rachel Morris, who co-founded Buggy Movers with Karen Ainsworth at the start of this year.
"You put the kids in, and mums or dads can come out with us, have some exercise outdoors in a group, and feel good physically but it's also good for mental health" she explains "You can feel very isolated when you're at home with a little one and can't exercise, so we've found it makes a real difference to parents."
The group now meets at three venues – at the Langworthy Cornerstone, at St Philip's Church and at SAYF on Cholmondeley Road. We visited the Langworthy group, where babies were being safely strapped into the 'cockpits' ready to go flying down Langworthy Road, to the Quays, in a five kilometre sprint...
"This is exactly what I was looking for and all my friends have joined" said Stacy Broad, now in just her second week "We're all on maternity leave so it's nice to get out and about and keep fit after having a baby.
"You go running, walking or jogging at your own pace and we went all over around the Quays and through Media City and back" she added "Baby likes being in the pram so he can face out, and I didn't hear a peep from him. I really, really enjoy it..."
Rachel explained that it doesn't take long for parents to get up to speed... "People come as beginners but before they notice it they're running and jogging all the way, and talking all the way. It only takes a few weeks, and we've seen people really progress which is fantastic and they've built a lot of confidence."
The group is funded through the NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group. Lifecentre and Salford CVS, and behind the fun run are some serious issues that Buggy Movers is hoping to sort...
"The idea is to get people fit in Salford" said Karen "We would have loved to have done it when we had babies because you're stuck in and can't really get out. Here you get a bit of fitness because you work your arms and your legs, and you get to socialise. The babies are alright, but now and then we take over if people are struggling with the pram, or if baby wants to get out we work with that as well. We start off walking and build up to a run, chatting and socialising as we go."
Buggy Movers is a brilliant idea for parents to get out of the house, meet new people and keep fit. And the Lewis Hamilton-style babies seem to like it too...
Buggy Movers is free and meets at the following venues...
St Philip's Church, Mondays 10am
SAYF, Cholmondeley Road, Mondays 1pm
Langworthy Cornerstone, Wednesdays 11am
For further details see the Buggy Movers Salford Facebook site or call 07729 135051
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