Angela Holm, a married mom of five, is weathering a viral storm after footage of her late-night gym workout with her newborn racked up over 2.2 million views.
The clip, posted to TikTok, shows Holm fumbling with her baby in a dark parking lot after 9:00 p.m. Before entering an empty fitness center, where she straps the infant to her chest and begins pumping iron and walking on the treadmill. The video doubles as both a day-in-the-life post and an advertisement for the hands-free baby carrier she designs and sells for $129.
Critics flooded the comments with alarm. “Holy s–t this is so dangerous,” one incensed viewer spat beneath the video. Others piled on with “Absolutely insane,” “unsafe and irresponsible,” “what happens if you stumble and fall on her?,” and “what the actual f–k?” The backlash centered on fears for the child’s safety, with many accusing Holm of risking her little one’s wellbeing for cardio — or worse, social media content.
The concerns are not purely theoretical. Researchers with the Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK previously 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,” the researchers warned. “These injuries are preventable. Regulatory authorities, manufacturers and parents should take steps to prevent this emerging health problem.”
The National Independent Health Club Association (NIHCA), a non-profit for non-chain gyms in the US, also cautioned parents against allowing 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,” the organization noted on its site. “Would the child be in a protected place if a machine were to break?”
Yet Holm found defenders among her online following. “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 one encouraging commenter. Another chimed in, “I carried my daughter on the treadmill; she’s now 4.” A separate fan saluted, “I think you’re doing AMAZING. Keep going!!!”
One impressed mother offered particularly colorful praise. “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,” she commended. “And then to walk with her on you like that??,” She added, “F–king dedication, girl. Nice job mama!!!.”
In the viral moment that started it all, Holm’s TikTok video captured her postpartum routine with the caption “Postpartum gym night with my baby: 🤍🫶🏼#workout #postpartum #baby.” The footage shows her navigating the parking lot with her infant before securing the child in her own branded carrier for weightlifting and treadmill work, all while the gym appears otherwise deserted.
The debate has splintered along familiar lines, with safety advocates warning of preventable harm and fellow mothers celebrating Holm’s determination to stay active through the demanding postpartum period. The video’s dual nature as personal content and product promotion has only intensified scrutiny, with some skeptics questioning whether the workout was staged primarily to move merchandise.
Holm has continued posting fitness and motherhood content as the controversy swirls.