- Influencer Angela Holm faces backlash for bringing her newborn baby to the gym at night and working out with the infant strapped to her chest.
- Researchers and health authorities warn against allowing small children on treadmills and in exercise areas due to the significant dangers and potential injuries involved.
This gym mama’s got worrywarts working up a sweat.
Thunderbolts of terror are surging through the internet as footage of a mommy influencer’s late-night workout with her newborn trends.
“Holy s- -t this is so dangerous,” an incensed cynic spat at Angela Holm, a married mom of five, beneath video of herafter-9:00 p.m. sweat session. For the workout, she fumbles around with her baby in a dark, desolate parking lot before entering an empty fitness center, where she then straps the infant to her chest to begin pumping iron and exercising on the treadmill.
Viral visuals of the vexing venture have scared up over 2.2 million views, mostly from concerned critics chastising Holm for risking her little one’s safety in the name of cardio — or worse, social media content.
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“Absolutely insane,” “unsafe and irresponsible,” “what happens if you stumble and fall on her?,” and “what the actual f- -k?” are just a few of the rebukes being hurled Holm’s way over the controversial clip, which doubles as day-in-the-life post and an advertisement for the hands-free baby carrier she designs and sells for $129 a pop.
But beyond offering onlookers a sneak peek into her postpartum routine, or hawking the kiddie harness, there could be serious ramifications for exercising on a treadmill with little ones in tow, according to a previous study.
Researchers with the Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK found that 29 children, including tots under age 3, have sustained treadmill-related injuries, such as deep burns and scarring, while an adult was using the machine.
“Treadmills can pose a significant danger to children,” warned researchers. “These injuries are preventable. Regulatory authorities, manufacturers and parents should take steps to prevent this emerging health problem.”
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The National Independent Health Club Association (NIHCA), a non-profit organization for non-chain gyms in the US, also cautioned new mommies and daddies against allowing their infants on fitness equipment and in weightlifting areas.
“There are a lot of safety concerns in a workout space to include tripping hazards, weights [and] sharp edges,” note the authorities, per the NIHCA site. “Would the child be in a protected place if a machine were to break?”
The potential perils of working with a baby notwithstanding, a number of Holm’s cyber supporters rushed to her defense online, applauding the postnatal mom for staying active and healthy no matter the risks.
“I had really bad postpartum and [the gym is] the only thing that helped me. Proud of you mama for doing what you need to do,” cheered an encouraging commenter.
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“I carried my daughter on the treadmill; she’s now 4,” another chimed.
“I think you’re doing AMAZING. Keep going!!!,” saluted a separate fan
“Girl, all I’ve gotta say is, you win. There’s no f- -king way I had the energy, time, or patience to load up my car at 9 p.m. with what looks like a 4-month-old and get my fat a- – to the gym,” an impressed mother commended. “And then to walk with her on you like that??.”
“F- -king dedication, girl,” she added. “Nice job mama!!!.”
