By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-20 17:23:52 | Updated at 2026-08-20 17:35:26
38 minutes ago
A mom who came under fierce fire for working out on the treadmill while carrying her newborn has clapped back at haters who claimed she put the baby in danger.
Earlier this month, Angela Holm, 29, from Utah, sparked immense backlash after she shared a clip of herself at the gym with her five-month-old daughter, Zayla, in tow.
The video began by showing Holm bringing her daughter into the gym at 9.10pm. It then featured her running on the treadmill with the baby next to her in a stroller.
However, after the youngster started to cry, Holm decided to pick her up and hold her for the rest of the workout.
She was seen taking the infant out of the stroller and putting her in a carrier that held the baby against her chest before she continued walking on the treadmill, finishing around 10.15pm.
'What it looks like getting a postpartum workout in with my baby,' she captioned the controversial clip.
The video went viral, and it led to furious backlash for Holm, as many claimed it was unsafe to be on a treadmill with a baby.
Others scrutinized her for bringing the five-month-old to the gym at all, where there's tons of germs, while some even branded her as 'selfish' for taking the baby out so late at night.
Earlier this month, Angela Holm, 29, from Utah, sparked immense backlash after she shared a clip of herself walking on the treadmill while holding her five-month-old daughter, Zayla, in a carrier
The video went viral, and it led to furious backlash for Holm, as many claimed it was unsafe to be on a treadmill with a baby and now she has addressed the backlash
Now, Holm has addressed the backlash during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail.
'I started bringing Zayla to the gym with me when I felt ready to get back into working out postpartum,' she explained.
'As a mom-of-five, sometimes bringing my baby with me is just what makes it possible for me to get a workout in.
'She's breastfed so it’s easier if I bring her with me and take breaks to feed if I need. She’s with me all the time anyway, so I just found a way to incorporate her into that part of my day too.'
In response to those who may feel like she put the baby in an unsafe situation, she vowed that she would 'never intentionally do something that would put her in danger' and insisted that she is always 'very aware of where she is and what's going on around them.'
'I think it’s really easy to watch a short clip online and make assumptions without knowing the full situation,' she added.
'I personally felt comfortable with what I was doing. I was walking slowly and carefully, not running or doing an intense workout while carrying her.
'Obviously there is always a possibility of tripping or falling when you’re walking outside or anywhere, but I felt comfortable and in control of what I was doing.
In response to those who may feel like she put the baby in an unsafe situation, she vowed that she would 'never intentionally do something that would put her in danger'
She stated: 'I personally felt comfortable with what I was doing. I was walking slowly and carefully, not running or doing an intense workout while carrying her'
'I completely understand that another mom might not feel comfortable doing the same thing, and that’s okay too.
'As far as germs, I’m conscious of that too, just like I would be taking her into any other public place.'
She also hit back at claims she was being 'selfish,' stating: 'I don’t think a mom taking a little bit of time to take care of herself makes her selfish.
'I’m still taking care of my baby while also doing something that makes me feel good and healthy.'
She told the Daily Mail that she never expected her video to get as much attention as it did, explaining: 'I honestly thought I was just sharing a normal part of my day, so I was really surprised by how much attention it got and how strongly people reacted to it. I definitely didn’t expect it to turn into such a huge conversation.'
Ultimately, she noted that 'people are always going to have an opinion' when it comes to sharing things online, and she's unfazed by the scrutiny.
She also hit back at claims she was being 'selfish,' stating: 'I don’t think a mom taking a little bit of time to take care of herself makes her selfish'
Ultimately, she noted that 'people are always going to have an opinion' when it comes to sharing things online, and she's unfazed by the scrutiny
'Everyone parents differently, and what works for one mom or family might not work for another,' she concluded.
'I know my baby, I know what I’m comfortable with, and her safety is always my priority.
'There isn’t one right way to be a mom. We’re all figuring out what works for our own families.
'You don’t have to agree with everything another mom does, but that doesn’t mean she deserves to be torn apart for it.'
