Friday, January 2, 2009

10 Quick Steps for Getting the Best Baby Jogging Stroller for You

By Joe Peterson

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. Lightweight. The lighter the better. Strollers with an aluminium frame will be noticeably lighter and much sturdier than strollers with metal tube frames. Look for a jogging stroller that weighs less than 25 pounds.

2. Bicycle style 16 inch wheels. All three of the wheels (two in the back and one in the front) should be spoked, air-filled, 16 inch wheels very similar to a bicycle tire. To be effective when running you want the stroller to run smoothly over any surface. These types of wheels are the most effective size and style for an easy ride for your child and a great run or walk for dads and moms.

3. Seating comfort. Many babies love to nap during their parents run. The stroller seat should tilt back at a 25 percent angle to make it easier for baby to sleep. In addition, the material in the seat should be a light weight fabric that breathes making it comfortable for baby especially on warmer weather days.

4. Protect your baby from the sun. Any jogging stroller that you consider will have a sun canopy. You want to make sure that the sun canopy is fully flexible so that it can be positioned to block out the sun`s rays so that no matter which way your baby is facing they are protected. You should not have to clip a blanket to the stroller for protection. The last thing you want is direct sun into your son or daughter`s face causing potential harm to them, and making the baby uncomfortable which will eventually lead to crying and fussing.

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. Fits in trunk of car. The process for folding should be simple. Many strollers have a trigger on each side of the handlebar that allow the stroller to easily fold into itself. Most car trunks can hold a folded stroller if it is smaller than 25 x 45 x 18 (inches). In order to fold it into a smaller dimension find a stroller that has one-touch pop-off wheels that are easy to remove for storage.

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. Make sure that it works for your baby as they grow. Babies come in all sizes and shapes - isn`t that great. Your stroller is an investment - and you want to get as much use from it as possible. A child that measures under 25 in. when seated should be able to sit in the stroller, and a child eighty pounds or less should be safely be able to use the stroller. Look for a stroller that provides good height and weight capacity.

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.

You can save yourself a lot of frustration, not to mention time and money by following this list of things to do - and in the end you will get the stroller that best meets the needs of your family. - 15995

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