| Ian and Jen Stoddart are the parents of Holden. | | | | look for a jogging stroller that has washable seats |
| Exercising is important to them. Jen is a jogger | | | | that can be easily removed cleaned and dried in a |
| and when Holden was born it was important to | | | | washing machine and dryer. |
| her that she was able to continue jogging. To do | | | | Many of the moms that we know will plan their |
| this she needed to purchase a jogging stroller that | | | | walk or jog at baby's naptime. Because of this we |
| she could use when jogging or walking Holden. She | | | | think that it is important to have a jogging stroller |
| also wanted a stroller that she could use when | | | | that reclines. |
| out shopping with Holden. This e-book explains the | | | | As every child develops differently, before |
| factors that Ian and Jen considered when they | | | | starting to use your stroller with your baby should |
| purchased their jogging stroller. | | | | consult with your Pediatrician. Generally speaking, |
| Weight and Durability | | | | you should wait until your child is about 6-8 weeks |
| When choosing a jogging strollers weight and | | | | old before using your stroller. For very young |
| durability are two of the key factors. Obviously, | | | | babies use neck support and an infant insert until |
| the lighter the better, and the more durable the | | | | your child has adequate neck strength. Most |
| better. The frame on a jogging stroller will either | | | | stroller manufacturers have optional infant inserts |
| be welded aluminium frame construction or will be | | | | that are designed to assure parents that their |
| constructed of metal tubes connected with plastic | | | | child will travel safely and comfortably in the |
| joints. | | | | stroller. And when the baby is quite young you |
| Look for a jogging stroller that has a welded | | | | should limit the walks or jogs to flat, smooth |
| aluminium frame. The stroller will be more | | | | terrain. |
| expensive, but they are noticeably lighter and | | | | Sun Canopy |
| much sturdier than strollers with metal tube | | | | We think one of the most important aspects of |
| frames. | | | | any baby stroller whether it is a jogging stroller or |
| As far as weight of the stroller, look for a jogging | | | | a traditional baby stroller is having a sun canopy |
| stroller that weighs less than 25 pounds. | | | | that has the flexibility to provide shade to your |
| Wheel Size | | | | baby no matter what the angle of the sun. Direct |
| A jogging stroller has three large wheels. They | | | | sunshine into the baby's face not only will in all |
| have one in front and two in the back. A good | | | | likelihood cause the baby to be very |
| jogging stroller should provide your baby with a | | | | uncomfortable and unhappy - but we are all |
| smoother ride than a regular stroller, and | | | | becoming more and more conscious of the |
| obviously it should be easy for the runner to push | | | | negative impact of the sun's rays. |
| while jogging. | | | | When looking for a jogging stroller look for one |
| The way that jogging strollers achieve a smooth | | | | where the canopy can shade the rider from |
| ride and are easy to push is by reducing rolling | | | | almost any angle |
| resistance. And, reduced rolling resistance is | | | | Brakes |
| achieved by the stroller's wheels. | | | | Brakes are an essential safety feature on any |
| The back wheels on your jogging stroller should | | | | jogging stroller. A traditional jogging stroller will |
| always be large wheels - at least 16" wheels. The | | | | usually have a hand brake that operates much like |
| front wheel will depend on how you will use the | | | | a bicycle break and more advanced strollers will |
| stroller. | | | | also feature parking brakes. Hybrid jogging |
| If the stroller will be primarily used for jogging and | | | | strollers (strollers with a swivel front wheel that |
| walking on smooth surfaces, like sidewalks, bike | | | | locks) should have a foot brake and may come |
| paths, and indoors a 12 inch will work well. | | | | equipped with a hand brake. When purchasing a |
| If you plan on using the stroller for frequent | | | | jogging stroller ensure that there is a parking |
| outdoor walking or jogging on fairly smooth | | | | brake - either hand operated or a foot brake. |
| surfaces, with some off-road use (like cutting | | | | Arm Safety Wrist Strap |
| across a grassy field) a 16 inch wheel is | | | | On a good quality jogging stroller an arm safety |
| preferable. The 16 inch wheel will provide less | | | | wrist strap comes standard. Basically it's like a |
| rolling resistance and therefore a smoother ride. | | | | leash attached to the back rear of the stroller, |
| If you are a serious runner that does frequent | | | | with the loop end worn around your wrist. |
| long-distance running and off-road use look for a | | | | Because strollers are built for running and speed, |
| stroller with 20 inch wheels on the back and the | | | | you want to protect yourself from the stroller |
| front. | | | | running away from you in an instance where you |
| Wheel Style | | | | lose your footing while jogging. |
| Generally speaking a jogging stroller will have a | | | | Folding |
| fixed front wheel. When using the term fixed | | | | Many people who own or are looking to own a |
| front wheel it means that the wheel does not | | | | jogging stroller are looking for a stroller that can |
| swivel or turn. Because of the fixed front wheel | | | | be easily folded for easy storage. A good jogging |
| when you want to turn the stroller you tilt the | | | | stroller should have a one step process for folding |
| stroller back onto its rear wheels to make the | | | | down to a compact size for storage or placing |
| turn. | | | | into a car trunk. |
| The fixed front wheel is ideal for jogging, because | | | | If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller you |
| it provides the stability and straight tracking that | | | | should look for a jogging stroller that has |
| you need. | | | | quick-release wheels that pop off for ultimate |
| Some parents that like to jog with their child have | | | | compactness when folded. |
| a problem with the fixed wheel that comes on | | | | The jogging stroller that you purchase should be |
| most traditional jogging strollers. The problem | | | | foldable easily by one person. If it takes two |
| they experience is that they want their stroller to | | | | people to fold the stroller - keep looking. There will |
| be used both for jogging but also for other uses | | | | be many times when you are on your own with |
| such as using the stroller at the mall. The fixed | | | | your baby and you will not have a second person |
| wheel is great for jogging but it becomes a | | | | available to help you fold the stroller. |
| nuisance when out shopping because the stroller | | | | Most people take their stroller with them in your |
| has to be tilted back onto its rear wheels to | | | | car. Make sure that the stroller will fit into your |
| make a turn. | | | | trunk when the stroller is folded. Look for a |
| Some stroller manufacturers such as Dreamer | | | | stroller that when folded that is no more than 44 |
| Design Strollers recognized that many people | | | | inches long, 25 inches wide and 18 inches tall. If |
| want a jogging stroller that can be used for | | | | your stroller compacts to this size it will fit in |
| jogging and also more general everyday uses as | | | | most cars. The Dreamer Design strollers that our |
| well. | | | | family uses compacts down to as small as 39 x |
| To meet this need some manufacturers have | | | | 20 x 12 without the wheels and down to 42 x 25 |
| created a "hybrid" jogging stroller with a swivelling | | | | x 16 with the wheels left on. |
| front wheel. The hybrid strollers usually have a | | | | Adjustable Handlebars |
| smaller 12 inch front wheel that can be locked in | | | | When considering a stroller it may be important |
| place for jogging purposes and can be a swivel | | | | that the handlebars are adjustable. If your spouse |
| wheel for everyday shopping purposes. | | | | is significantly taller or shorter than you the stroller |
| The moms in our family both have hybrid jogging | | | | should have the flexibility to easily adjust the |
| strollers made by Dreamer Design. The swivel | | | | height of the handlebars. Several of the quality |
| front wheel on the strollers provides superior | | | | jogging strollers available on the market have |
| manoeuvrability for those indoor situations such as | | | | adjustable handlebars so that people of varied |
| shopping. And, since these hybrid strollers in our | | | | height will be comfortable pushing the stroller. |
| family, when used for outdoor jogging or walking, | | | | The Dreamer Design strollers that we use the |
| are primarily used on smooth surfaces, like | | | | handlebars easily adjust to a height of 39 inches |
| sidewalks, and bike paths. On these types of | | | | to 43 inches. |
| surfaces the 12 inch front wheel placed in its | | | | Stroller Storage Pockets |
| locked position works very well. It provides a | | | | Many people when purchasing a stroller are looking |
| smooth ride to the baby and is easy for the | | | | for pockets, pouches, cup holders and storage |
| jogger to push. | | | | space that are part of the stroller's design and |
| The drawback to the hybrid stroller is when it is | | | | construction. Does the stroller you are considering |
| used on rough terrain. The smaller front wheel | | | | have the storage that you need? Many active |
| decreases the stroller's handling abilities on rough | | | | parents want zipper or drawstring pouches that |
| terrain. If you plan on using your jogging stroller | | | | provide an added measure of security during |
| for a lot of path, beach or off-road running you | | | | bouncy rides. |
| should be looking at a fixed-wheel jogging stroller. | | | | Weight Capacity |
| Wheel Construction | | | | Weight capacity refers to the certified weight |
| Look for alloy wheels and hubs, rather than steel. | | | | that the stroller can carry. The number refers to |
| Top of the line strollers will have alloy wheels and | | | | the total weight of the rider and not the weight |
| alloy hubs. | | | | of any accessories or items carried in the pockets |
| You can save money by purchasing a stroller with | | | | and pouches. When purchasing a jogging stroller |
| steel wheels and hubs. Steel is cheaper but is | | | | make sure that your stroller has enough capacity |
| heavier and has a tendency to rust. If budget is | | | | in order to accommodate your child as they grow |
| an issue we recommend that you look for a | | | | older and gain weight. Generally speaking look for |
| stroller that has alloy wheels and steel hubs. Try | | | | a jogging stroller that is rated to hold a baby that |
| to stay away from strollers that have steel for | | | | weighs up to 80 pounds. The last thing you want |
| both its wheels and hubs. | | | | is to have your child outgrow their stroller. |
| If the stroller does have steel in its wheel | | | | Stroller Guarantee |
| construction and if you live in an environment | | | | Jogging strollers are an investment in your health |
| where there is winter road salt, or ocean salt in | | | | and your baby's health. You want to make your |
| the air or on pathways you can reduce the rust | | | | purchase with confidence. Your stroller should |
| problem by periodically rinsing the wheels and hubs | | | | come with a guarantee on the stroller frame of |
| of your stroller. | | | | at least 5 years, and there should be a guarantee |
| Baby Seat Harness | | | | of at least one year on the non-frame part of |
| Safety is the most important aspect whenever it | | | | your stroller. |
| comes to your baby. Look for a jogging stroller | | | | Stroller Cost |
| that has a five-point harness. A five-point harness | | | | Jogging strollers range widely in price. Look for the |
| will keep your child secure in the stroller when out | | | | features and benefits that you need for your |
| for a walk or a jog. The seat harness should be | | | | stroller and then expect to pay somewhere in the |
| easy to use. The Dreamer Design strollers that | | | | range of $200 to $900. |
| we use have a simple, easy to use harness. We | | | | One of the moms in our family uses a good |
| just place the baby in the seat, and snap the belt | | | | quality hybrid stroller called Dreamer Design |
| buckle. Then all that's left to do is pull one strap | | | | Manhattan Lite that costs $229.99 ($259.78 in |
| located at the front center of the seat until it's | | | | Canada). |
| tight and we are finished. | | | | Another of the moms in our family uses a |
| Seat Construction | | | | top-of-the-line hybrid stroller, the Dreamer Design |
| When out for your run or walk you want your | | | | Manhattan Deluxe and it cost $339.99 ($369.78 in |
| baby to be as comfortable as possible. The seat | | | | Canada). |
| should be padded and especially during warmer | | | | You can purchases a solid, good quality traditional |
| weather the seat material should be made of a | | | | jogging stroller, the Dreamer Design Rebound |
| lightweight, breathable fabric. Purchase a jogging | | | | Jogger Lite that costs $249.99 ($279.78 in |
| stroller that has a breathable padded seating area | | | | Canada). |
| for your baby. | | | | A top-of-the-line fully loaded traditional jogging |
| It is important to many parents that their baby | | | | stroller Dreamer Design Rebound Jogger Deluxe |
| gear stay looking good. If this is important to you | | | | costs $324.99 ($354.78 in Canada). |