When my second child was born, I shopped around for a double
stroller. I was looking for something compact so that I
wouldn't have to leave my children outside unattended while I
shopped. The first time that I put my two little ones into
the newly purchased stroller, all the rules of correct
posture flew right into the gutter as I heaved and sweated up
the street. That stroller was so, so heavy! I pushed the
stroller like most women push: shoulders forward, leaning
over the handle, back arched and backside sticking out at the
other end.
This position does absolutely nothing for your physical well-
being.
It took a couple of weeks of getting used to. However, with
plenty of outings and practice, I was finally able to push
the heavy stroller correctly.
It's difficult to change your position at the stroller, the
same way it's difficult to remember to sit straight while
you're eating. However, if you keep practicing, you will get
used to pushing the stroller correctly until you know of no
other way.
The correct position is very much like the correct posture we
saw in a recent article.
1. Shoulders back. 2. Chest slightly out. 3. Stomach pulled
into your back. 4. If you can, squeeze your glutes [gluteus
maximus-which are the big muscles in your `sitting area']
tightly. Beside for keeping you positioned correctly, this
will help you keep your posture strong. 5. Relax your hands.
Most of us hold on very tightly to the stroller. The tension
puts extra pressure on your wrists and shoulders. Don't
worry, the wind is not about to blow your carriage away!
Relax your wrists and hold softly.
Going uphill is usually a challenge, especially if you try to
hold your posture. It's natural to lean forward slightly, but
don't let it go overboard. And concentrate on keeping your
glutes squeezed tightly. You should feel your legs working.
You should not feel pain in your back.
Downhill, is a different story. The tendency is to arch the
back and loosen up the stomach. Concentrate on pulling your
stomach into your spine. You'll be getting a good workout
just from pushing the stroller. I'll be the first to admit
that it is difficult to keep your posture when you're pushing
a stroller. After all, the handle is right in front of you,
beckoning you to lean over it. Resist. Keep your shoulders
back, chest out, stomach in, glutes tight and streeeetch
until the sky. You'll get used to it soon enough. Then,
you'll begin correcting those women around you who don't push
their strollers correctly!
