With an increase of active Moms and Dads a jogging stroller can be a great way to introduce exercise into your daily routine.  With so many jogging strollers on the market it can be a daunting task to find the right stroller that meets your needs.  One important thing to remember is that it is a piece of exercise equipment, so you definitely get what you pay for.

Here are some important things to consider when purchasing a jogging stroller:

Wheel Size:

Jogging strollers come in a variety of wheel sizes, here is a breakdown of the different wheels sizes and their functions:

Fixed Versus Swivel Wheel

Depending on your usage you will want to consider whether you want your stroller to have a swivel wheel or a fixed wheel. Also, if this is going to be your main stroller, you will definitely want it to have a swivel wheel.

Wheel Type & Rims

Pneumatic Tires: These are air filled tires that will give you a much smoother ride over a multitude of terrain than traditional solid tires.

Shocks and Suspension

Shocks and absorbers will give your child a smoother more even ride when using the stroller.  This is important to consider if you want your child to nap while strolling in the stroller, also, if you plan on using it with small infants. (some manufactures do not recommend using these strollers for infants under 6 months of age).

Other Things to Consider:

Cup Holders and Trays: Very important to some people, some strollers do not come with this, some you must purchase as an additional accessory, which adds to the cost of the stroller.  Also, some strollers do not come with the tray for a child, not a big deal to me (none of the strollers I have owned had one), but if your child is dependent on one, this is something to consider.

Washable Seats: If you plan on using your stroller in a variety of conditions, for example, the beach, the woods, muddy terrain, snow, you will want a stroller that you can take the seat off and wash in a washing machine.

Brakes: More advanced jogging strollers will have a hand brake that is very similar to a bicycle brake in addition to a traditional stroller break.  This is a great safety feature to keep in mind when looking for a stroller if you plan on using it for heavy duty running.

Extra Accessories: Manufactures make a variety of accessories to maximize the use of your stroller such as bug shields, wind guards,  sun shields, stroller liners, and cup holders which you can add to increase the usefulness of your stroller.

The JJ Cole Original Infant Bundle Me is one of the greatest inventions to keep your little ones warm in the winter.  When I was pregnant I saw one of these in Marshalls and picked it up thinking at the time, well I don’t know how much use I will get out of this, well I was wrong.  It is better than using a blanket over the infant seat, since the bundle me zippers up like a little sleeping bag.  I read a review somewhere where someone suggested to use it as a liner in their BOB Jogging Stroller, instead of buying the BOB Warm Fuzzy, which is an excellent idea when your baby grows out of it. We got about six months use out of this, and then I sold it on ebay, which I wish I would have saw the suggestion to use it as a liner in my jogging stroller ahead of time, because that would have been a great idea.

An adorable swing that lulls your newborn into a peaceful slumber, the Fisher Price Little Lamb Cradle & Swing is an adorable solution for newborns.  We had one of these for my daughter that we started to use a month after she was born.  This was truly a lifesaver.  The swing has a nice cradle seat which allows small infants to lie down in the seat.  The dome mirror with the rotating animals is also a nice feature that provides visual stimulation for babies.  I also found it great that it is very easy to take the cover off and wash the entire seat cover in the washer.   It is also great that you can plug this swing in.  So many swings on the market use batteries- which are not only expensive but an environmental disaster.  Since you can plug this swing in you will save money in the long run  by not having to purchase expensive batteries. Also, the swings motion and music last longer when you have it plugged in versus using batteries, which only lasts 7 minutes.