7 Safe Exercises You Can Do While Babywearing
FIT4MOM x Christina Maril x Tori Cummins
At FIT4MOM, fitness is never just about movement. It’s about connection, empowerment, and finding strength through every stage of motherhood. And few stories capture that spirit like Tori Cummins, franchisee of FIT4MOM Las Cruces and devoted mom to three littles (ages 7, 5, and 6 months), plus her cat Nacho.
Tori’s journey from new mom to village leader shows how workouts can be about joy, support, and showing up for yourself, even when baby wants a little extra snuggle time.
Smiles, Support, and Sisterhood = FIT4MOM
Tori first discovered FIT4MOM in 2018 while living in Sacramento, California. After trying a Stroller Strides class with her first daughter (about 5 months at the time), she walked away smiling and kept coming back. At a time when she was navigating postpartum changes and seeking strength physically and mentally, FIT4MOM gave her exactly what she needed: movement, confidence, and a community that felt like family.
“When I walked into that first class, I was struggling with the changes of my body and mind postpartum. Getting out of the house, working out, and focusing on myself through FIT4MOM classes was life-changing,” Tori says. “I found a fun, judgment-free space and moms who quickly became like sisters.”
From Participant to Franchise Owner, Growing With the Village
When Tori and her husband Andrew moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2020, she knew she wanted to bring that same community magic to other moms. That drive led her to open FIT4MOM Las Cruces in October 2021. Since then, dozens of local moms have found new friendships, stronger bodies, and a welcoming space to grow together.
What Tori loves most is seeing how moms light up in class: how their worries fade during that one hour, how they cheer each other on, and how they realize their own strength, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too.
Why Tori Loves Baby-Wearing Workouts
Let’s face it: sometimes, baby just isn’t having the stroller. That’s why Tori loves that FIT4MOM’s stroller-based workouts are also baby-wearing friendly. Her youngest practically lives in her carrier...whether she’s running errands, teaching a Stroller Barre class, or even cooking dinner.
And the bonus? You can still get an amazing workout with baby on board—plus some added resistance. Who needs a new weighted vest anyways?!
These moves are designed to be safe, effective, and totally doable even with a baby in your carrier:
Standing Marches
Alternating knee lifts activate your deep core and pelvic stabilizers.
Ribs stacked over hips
Lift knee to a gentle, comfortable height
Exhale as you lift
Keep shoulders relaxed
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep knee lifts low so your thigh stays clear of Baby’s space
Maintain an upright posture—avoid leaning back
Ensure Baby is snug, high, and centered in the carrier before starting
Lateral Leg Lifts
Side leg lifts to strengthen outer hips and obliques.
Toes forward
Small, controlled lift
Avoid leaning—stay tall
Exhale on the lift
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep movement slow to maintain balance
Use a stroller, wall, or support if needed
Stay upright—don’t tip your torso toward the lifting leg
Standing Side Crunch
Lift knee toward same-side elbow for oblique activation.
Movement stays small
“Shorten your side” without folding forward
Exhale on the crunch
Keep hips square
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep knee lift low and controlled to avoid any contact with Baby
Stay tall—avoid curling forward over the carrier
If range feels tight, reduce movement or skip elbow-to-knee contact
Standing Knee Drive
A small step-back with a controlled knee lift to engage the deep core.
Chest tall, ribs stacked
Exhale as the knee drives forward
Move slowly and intentionally
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep the knee drive low to avoid Baby’s carrier space
Make the step-back very small to maintain balance
Avoid leaning back—keep weight centered and posture tall
Use a wall or stroller for stability if needed
Standing Wood Chop (Low to High)
A diagonal reach from low to high that gently activates the core without twisting the spine.
Rotate hips + shoulders together
Avoid twisting the low back
Exhale on the lift
Smooth, controlled motion
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep movement slow and shallow—no big rotations
Keep elbows wide and away from Baby’s head
Maintain a tall posture to support Baby’s positioning
Standing Chair Pose
A controlled squat-to-stand that builds lower-body strength while engaging the core for stability that’s perfect for babywearing.
Sit hips back like you’re tapping an invisible chair
Knees track over toes
Chest stays lifted, shoulders stacked over hips
Exhale as you press through your heels to stand
Slow, steady tempo
Babywearing Safety Notes:
Keep Baby snug and high in the carrier
Move through a comfortable, controlled range (no deep squats)
Maintain a tall spine to support Baby’s airway and positioning
Baby on Board, Strength in Heart
Tori’s message for every mom is simple: you’re stronger than you think, and you deserve movement that brings you joy...even when life (and Baby!) doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Nothing brings Tori more joy than giving back the confidence, friendship, and support that FIT4MOM gave her, one class at a time.
Want to Try It for Yourself?
FIT4MOM offers classes for every stage of motherhood, led by instructors who truly get it—because they’ve been there. If you’re curious about how good movement can feel when it’s built for your body and your life, we’d love to meet you.
Find your local FIT4MOM village and get moving with us.
We’ll bring the workout. You bring your beautiful, messy, real mom self.
KEEP MOVING WITH US!
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