Get physical with the 'hot moms' of the High Desert

Meet your local hot moms of the High Desert.

No, not the voluptuous neighbor next door or the blonde babe pushing the stroller down the produce aisle of Vons. Members of the High Desert Hot Mom Walking Club are everyday moms bonded by their maternal status and an affection for fitness.

The ambiguous name of the club empowers the members through humor. Their mission is less concerned with good looks and more focused on the physical health of High Desert moms.

"It could be a real challenge putting yourself first in terms of fitness when you have kids," said Daniela Tapia, founder of Hot Mom Walking Club. "I just had my daughter and was looking for a community of women that understood what I was going through as a mom but couldn't find one up here, so I started my own."

Not discouraged by the lack of community involvement in the High Desert, Tapia started the High Desert Hot Mom Walking Club in September 2023 to create a fun safe space for moms in the High Desert.

"The name is a pun, a spinoff of the 'hot girl summer' trend. We're all hot in our own ways. We could be hot messes sometimes, but just because we're moms doesn't mean we can't also feel good about ourselves," she said. "The name serves as a reminder that you don't have to give up your sense of identity or playfulness once you become a mom."

The club meets once a week for a walk around either Victorville, Hesperia, or Apple Valley. Fitness isn't the only thing that brings the moms together.

The club also focuses on getting the word out about the free resources available to High Desert residents, especially for moms and kids. Members share upcoming city events and inform each other about school, library, and organization deadlines. This is singularly helpful for club members who are newer to the area or who find themselves at a loss when it comes to filling their free time.

"The community has so much to offer but the resource that we lack the most is knowing," Tapia said.

Walk a mile in a hot mom's shoes

The distance the club walks "depends on the needs of our children," Tapia said.

This past week, the club took their fitness regimen inside amid the high winds in the High Desert. They set a goal to walk three laps around the Mall of Victor Valley but added an additional lap because the kids were "doing so good."

Six to nine moms routinely join the weekly walks, most of whom bring their children.

The hot moms step it up outdoors by walking a few laps around High Desert parks like Hesperia Lake Park, Mojave Narrows Regional Park, and Blackhawk Park, given that the kiddos are up for it. On days with good weather and high spirits, the hot moms take to the Mojave River and walk for about an hour sharing antidotes, maternal advice, and community stories.

A message from the hot moms to the High Desert

You don't have to be a mom to be a member.

"As long as you're a woman and you're comfortable with kids around, please join us," Tapia wanted to express the importance of inclusivity. "Dog moms are welcomed and encouraged too! Come with your fur baby."

There is also no age limit to ramble with the residents of the High Desert mom community.

"The hardest part is making that initial decision to show up. Come to one of our walks, we promise you'll learn something new about the community and make new friends."

The High Desert Hot Mom Walking Club encourages people to participate not only to stay in shape but also to learn more about what the High Desert has to offer. Joining the club is a way to solder the bond between High Desert moms.

Contact the club on Instagram @hdhotmomwalkingclub and Facebook @High Desert Hot Mom Walking Club for inquiries and updates on their latest walking endeavors.