Exercise in the Mall with "Walk N' Roll"

For many mothers, finding time to exercise can be a challenge. But for local moms in the "Walk N' Roll" group, the Potomac Mills Mall provides the perfect stage for an early morning workout class.

Three times a week, Jena Olsen leads a group of about nine moms – some pregnant, some with toddlers – and their strollers throughout the mall for a brisk one-hour workout before the mall opens for the day.

Olsen, an American College of Sports Medicine certified clinical exercise specialist with a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, has been training and working out with people professionally since 2003.

When she had her first child, Colin, she became a stay-at-home mom and was craving the same type of exercise atmosphere in her life.

"When I lived in Maryland there was something called 'Stroller Stride'," said Olsen. "When I moved down here there wasn't really anything like that; except at Springfield Mall, but who wants to travel that far?"

Olsen noted that many area gyms do not provide day care to children under three-months-old and the "Walk N' Roll" group serves as a social outlet for new moms or families that may have just moved to the area.

"We walk about one mile through the mall with lots of stops along the way," said Olsen.

Olsen uses a mix of cardio and strength training throughout the hour-long workout session.

During the morning workout, the group of moms form a brigade of strollers that roll through the mall in a single-file line. Kids sit comfortably in their strollers in-between the exercise stops with snacks and juice while their moms chat through power-walks. 

Although the first visit for new "Walk N' Rollers" is free, membership fees are $40 per month, $8 per visit, or $85 for a block of ten classes than can be used anytime within a six-month time period.

Olsen utilizes the built-in architecture of the mall to supplement work out routines; stairs, benches, pillars, ramps and even open floor areas are incorporated to the workout. One exercise stop by American Eagle uses the railing of a ramp to serve as a stationary point while the group uses resistance bands for strength training.

While the moms workout, the toddlers run around and play with one another before loading back into the strollers to travel to the next workout stop.

"It's a mix of play group and exercise," said Olsen as tots squealed while running up and down the ramp.

The perk about working out in the mall is that doors open as early as 8 a.m. for mall employees but the stores do not open until 10 a.m.; leaving a hefty portion of time for exercisers such as the "Walk N' Roll" group and senior citizen walkers.

Olsen worked out a deal with the mall so that her group can work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before retail hours and take advantage of the sprawling facilities.

For more information on "Walk N' Roll," visit the Meet-Up website here.