Having a baby doesn’t mean you can’t leave the house or do any exercise. Jogging strollers for infants are absolutely fantastic for when you want to get outside and do a bit of exercise, but you need to take your baby with you. The fresh air will be great for your little bundle of joy.

There are a few things you need to look out for when you are going to purchase a jogging stroller. One of the most noticeable differences between a jogging stroller and an ordinary stroller is the thick large wheels that a jogging stroller has. The larger the wheels, the smoother the ride should be. Wheel sizes range between 12” to 24”, so the rougher the terrain, the bigger the wheels should be. Some strollers are suitable for all terrain areas while others are only suitable for urban areas. The all terrain strollers should be suitable for virtually anywhere. Most jogging strollers will have adjustable seats which can accommodate children from 5 months old to 5 years old. Some do however have seats that can recline and are suitable for infants even younger than 3 months old.

The frame of the stroller could be made from materials like aluminium or steel. The aluminium frame is lighter than the steel so if you go jogging, you would probably prefer the stroller made with this sort of frame. A stroller made with a steel frame would be cheaper so if the weight isn’t an issue for you, but the price is, this might be a better choice for you.

The brakes are similar to bicycle brakes, which are the standard hand brakes. Some jogging strollers also have parking brakes. A canopy is a standard feature on strollers. These are important to protect your baby against insects and also against the wind, rain or sun. You can get retractable canopies, which are handy to lower and raise depending on the weather. Mesh canopies are also great for protecting baby against the suns harmful rays and insects, but at the same time allow your baby to see through the mesh.

When purchasing your stroller, take in to consideration the folding of the stroller. The easier it is for you to fold the better for you, especially if you travel often or if you transport the stroller daily by car. There are advanced models available that have quick-release wheels that can be removed for ultimate compactness once folded. Think of your convenience before making your purchase.

For your child’s safety, the stroller should have a harness to secure your child in the seat. This should be strong enough to ensure that your child is kept in place if you need to make any sudden stops, go over any bumps or in the event of an accident. Most jogging strollers have the 5-point harness, but some less expensive ones will have the T-shield which does not have the centre-chest clip. Most advanced jogging strollers will have shock absorbers integrated in to the frame of the stroller. A good shock absorbing system is important especially if you will be jogging over rough terrain.

Strollers have different weight capacities. Ensure that you choose a stroller that is sufficient to hold the weight of your baby or toddler. For the safety of your child, you should never exceed the weight capacity. The stroller will also have either pouches or trays where you can store baby accessories and personal items like keys and a purse. Depending on the level of your activity, the tray might be sufficient, but pouches with zips will be more practical if you are jogging to ensure your belongings do not fall out. Washable seats are another must for convenience. These can be removed and washed in the washing machine and then dried in the dryer.

If you have more than one child, there are multi-rider jogging strollers available. These can accommodate one, two or three children at the same time. These are well balanced allowing you to use any of the seats. Some parents that have two children choose a three seat jogging stroller so that they can leave the middle seat free to prevent the kids from fighting.

So before purchasing your stroller, think about getting a jogging stroller as it might make pushing and manoeuvring the stroller a lot easier for you.