Aqua Fitness. Yes. Again

47Jacqueline

Last night I subbed for an Aqua fit class of people with Arthritis. I felt like I was hardly having them do anything, but the students commented that they really liked my class. It's so rewarding to be able to contribute to people's wellbeing in this way.

CoolCatWV

I just took my first water aerobics class! It was a blast! I think I will really tone up if I do this three times a week for even a month.

47Jacqueline

CoolCatWV wrote: »

I just took my first water aerobics class! It was a blast! I think I will really tone up if I do this three times a week for even a month.

Absolutely!

47Jacqueline

I'm leaving today for Miami to train and get certified as an Aqua Pole instructor tomorrow.

Then on Monday I'm flying to Tampa for the annual International Aquatic Fitness Conference. Five days of water fitness classes starting at 8:30am and going until 5:30! My first class is an Aqua Zumba Master Class and my last is about working with special populations (chronic illnesses, aging, pregnancy, etc.).

Stay tuned. I'll post pictures when I get back.

dutchandkiwi

I did a lot of aquarobics when I lived in NZ - I prefer deep water, but my Dutch centre only offers in the undeep water. Oh well better than than nothing.
My NZ class was mainly young people, my Dutch class a mix. As for men ... Wel in NZ the Auckland Blues Rugby team would frequent our gym (only for the pool) and did their own aquarobics there on occasion. Was quite nice to be in the aerobis studio or cafe with the glass wall overlooking the pool then :-)

47Jacqueline

AquaPole certification training; Sunday, May 10, 2015

47Jacqueline

Just returned from five days at an aquatic fitness conference near Tampa.

47Jacqueline

In September, a the driver of a car failed to look both ways while crossing a bike path and crashed into me. I sustained numerous injuries and finally, almost 2 months later, I will be starting aquatic physical therapy for my hip injury at the Hospital for Special Services.

Interestingly, my orthopedist was unaware of this specialty (why am I surprised?).

My first session is Tuesday morning. I'm looking forward to reducing the pain I've been in for the pat two months.

KANGOOJUMPS

LOVE IT!!, used to teach it back in the day! FUN!

47Jacqueline

I'm all healed and back to teaching. This was my therapy pool for the past five months.

https://youtu.be/qPo_z6z8h8I

godlikepoetyes

Glad you are better. I do most of my movement in the water. I mostly play--unstructured, treading water, bouncing around, talking to my friends, jogging, and lifting myself. The resistance of my body and the water gives me great strength training. My arms getting CUT. My lung capacity is improving. And I just love it.

47Jacqueline

These are from last week's International Aquatic Fitness Conference:

47Jacqueline

SwimmyD

I tried a few Aqua fit classes several years ago at the Y, both shallow and deep. I had been doing my regular (intense) 4km (mixed set) swims in the lane beside the classes for months and thought I'd give it a try. Why not? The lifeguards were asking me too try it so that I could compare. So in I go. The age and fitness level gap was *large*, and the death stares that I received for splashing (not huge - but enough to upset several ladies) or creating some waves was not acceptable to them. I was trying to achieve the same heart rate I achieve while swimming. Didn't even come close. Gave both types of classes several tries. Alas, at this pool it was not possible unless I pissed off a lot of people. Back into the lane swimming I went. Perhaps in a different pool with a different set of participants would have created a different outcome.

mrsf15h

Aqua fit is one of the best fitness ideas to ever be thought of! 18 months ago I was 224lbs (5ft 4inches) and had knee problems and was fat to put it bluntly. Aqua fit was my first gym class. I started with one class and loved it. So went back two days later. Within 4 weeks I was doing five 45 minute classes a week. Well now I'm 163lbs today (still hunting for my goal) and still going to aqua fit today (with added BodyPump classes). I am the strongest in my class and jump out the water the highest etc because I am the youngest (maybe fittest?) in class. Our eldest class member is 90. But that said, they do really respect why I'm there and do give me the space (splashing area) required for a good workout. New music, new moves new games and always keeping it fresh is necessary. My instructor keeps trying to get me to begin Personal Trainer Training to become an Aqua Fit instructor. One day maybe. One day.

snowflake954

SwimmyD wrote: »

I tried a few Aqua fit classes several years ago at the Y, both shallow and deep. I had been doing my regular (intense) 4km (mixed set) swims in the lane beside the classes for months and thought I'd give it a try. Why not? The lifeguards were asking me too try it so that I could compare. So in I go. The age and fitness level gap was *large*, and the death stares that I received for splashing (not huge - but enough to upset several ladies) or creating some waves was not acceptable to them. I was trying to achieve the same heart rate I achieve while swimming. Didn't even come close. Gave both types of classes several tries. Alas, at this pool it was not possible unless I pissed off a lot of people. Back into the lane swimming I went. Perhaps in a different pool with a different set of participants would have created a different outcome.

I both swim and do acquagym. They are totally different workouts. I usually swim laps for 40-45 min and then do 30 min of acquagym. As you've seen, the workout depends on what you put into it. I've been doing this for 20 yrs, and so can do more than the others. I go in the deep water at the very end of the lane, where I'm by myself. I work on doing more reps and faster, and am always moving even when the others take a pause between exercises. Splashing doesn't mean you're doing more, since the further you are under water, the more water you have to move. It gives me a deep down tiredness and uses muscles that I don't use swimming.

SwimmyD

Weirdly enough, MFP delayed my posting DAYS late, and only added it now. Just wanna say that I have never seen the active classes that are being done as posted above. It's gotta be a question of supply and demand! But kudos to all the folks who are doing it and loving it. It's all about getting active and doing what you love. As for injuries - there is no better bridge to recovery either.

I know that splashing isn't cool, but when you are six feet tall and the shallow end is only 3 to 3.5ft, I'm afraid you're gonna splash a bit and make big waves, even if you're bent over or squatting (which is not the best form all the time). It doesn't always work for everyone. And if you're in a class with ladies who get angry with a drop of water on their heads- it's not very fun at all.

middlehaitch

@swimmyd, I think you hit a bad class.

At the start of every class we are asked to spread out and be armpit deep to get the best work out. This us a shallow class, but deep participants are welcome too. My class range is men and women 20-80 and everyone puts in the effort they want.
I started thinking I was going to die and having to slow down a lot. Now when I do it I have a 30 min swim practice after.

My SO 6'2 used to swim while I did the aqua fit, now he joins me on a Friday and finds it a really good but different work out. He never realised how much energy it takes, nor how it can improve flexibility, posture, and balance.

It is a shame the class you went to was so disappointing.

Ooh, I haven't done it this year, maybe time to start it again.

Cheers, h.

azulvioleta6

SwimmyD wrote: »

I tried a few Aqua fit classes several years ago at the Y, both shallow and deep. I had been doing my regular (intense) 4km (mixed set) swims in the lane beside the classes for months and thought I'd give it a try. Why not? The lifeguards were asking me too try it so that I could compare. So in I go. The age and fitness level gap was *large*, and the death stares that I received for splashing (not huge - but enough to upset several ladies) or creating some waves was not acceptable to them. I was trying to achieve the same heart rate I achieve while swimming. Didn't even come close. Gave both types of classes several tries. Alas, at this pool it was not possible unless I pissed off a lot of people. Back into the lane swimming I went. Perhaps in a different pool with a different set of participants would have created a different outcome.

This is my experience too. I find that lap swimming is a MUCH better workout, at least for me. I am big, fast and I have a lot of muscle, so I need an intense workout. Ah, the ladies who wear their makeup in the pool and try keep their hair dry--not so much my crowd. Take a darn cleansing shower already!

Jackie, glad to see that you are healed up, having fun and looking great!

I'm still swimming laps--hopped in the pool and went two miles (3.2KM) yesterday. I am taking a big rafting trip in just over a month (Hell's Canyon, ID) and want to be in the best swimming shape to fully enjoy it. Need to work on my crawl still...time to stop putting it off!

snowflake954

SwimmyD wrote: »

Weirdly enough, MFP delayed my posting DAYS late, and only added it now. Just wanna say that I have never seen the active classes that are being done as posted above. It's gotta be a question of supply and demand! But kudos to all the folks who are doing it and loving it. It's all about getting active and doing what you love. As for injuries - there is no better bridge to recovery either.

I know that splashing isn't cool, but when you are six feet tall and the shallow end is only 3 to 3.5ft, I'm afraid you're gonna splash a bit and make big waves, even if you're bent over or squatting (which is not the best form all the time). It doesn't always work for everyone. And if you're in a class with ladies who get angry with a drop of water on their heads- it's not very fun at all.

I'm 5'11'', but have to sympathize if your pool is no deeper than 3.5'--are they using the kiddie pool? That's what we used when I started, but after a couple of years switched us to the regular pool. We get floating belts to buckle on. As said, I go to the deep end. Just came back and am deep down tired--but good. The majority of our ladies are younger than I am, and some swim too, so water drops aren't a great problem--and the rules say everyone with a swim cap.

47Jacqueline

I just picked up an aqua Zumba class at 24-Hr fitness after being hired four months ago. I start next month! Very excited.

47Jacqueline

47Jacqueline

https://youtu.be/EA11Rf0Ms6I

kathyway7810

I take aquatics at the Y. We use the aqua jogger belt in the deep water, Styrofoam resistant weights, & noodles. Water jogging, cross country ski and relay intervals & much, much more! I love it! BTW there is a great aquatics calculater on MyFitnessPal at the following link I have found helpful!
- MyFitnessPal Aquatics Calculator http://www.myfitnesspal.com/exercise/calories-burned/water-aerobics-water-calisthenics-205

needstobefit15

I do aqua zumba every Tuesday and boy do I love it I wanna try aqua bootcamp but they do it in the mornings at my gym and I cant do mornings due to no ride

johnw83

aqua Zumba is great as is aqua aerobics I teach both

ridiculous59

parys1 wrote: »

I'm Canadian. Where do we fall in this aqua fitness craze?

I have spent the last two winters going to deep water running classes at my local municipal pool in northern BC. Sometimes theres 30 people, sometimes theres 5. You just never know how many will show up. When it's -30 out there aren't usually as many . You get out of the classes exactly what you put into them. Some people are there to chat and socialize; some (like me) work their butts off! I've lost 90 pounds and tell everyone how great the classes are.

cforsyth617

hi. I'm Canadian too! I have been looking for an aqua aerobics thread for a while now. Great to have found you! I am an injured marathon runner. Thanks to water running classes I am back running. I now do 3 water running classes a week and run three days. I have lost the 21 pounds I gained from injuries. I love going to water running because the older ladies are fun to talk to. At almost 49, I am the youngest and thinnest in the class. That doesn't happen to me very often. I live in White Rock BC

middlehaitch

I posted much earlier in this thread, but I just thought I would wave hello from a fellow BC Canada aqua fitter. (Victoria)


I started doing it as my first exercise ever at the age of 54/5 in 2008.

Lost the weight and maintained the loss.
I still use aqua fit as my standby workout, I have tried lots since but there is a comfort factor in joining the folks that I have known for so long now in the pool.

Cheers, h.

dahliacats

I've found that water exercise classes vary a lot depending on the purpose. At my health club, many of the classes are combined with physical therapy for folks with back pain, arthritis, and such, and tend to tone down the speed and repetitions. There is one more difficult class a day for real exercise, but the amount of exertion still depends a lot on how much effort you make. Many of the ladies like to chat as they exercise and don't exert much. I like to challenge myself to do as many repetitions as possible in the time given, and I focus on feeling the resistance of the water so I know I am getting a maximum workout. I leave the pool very tired with heavy feeling limbs, so I know I've worked lots of muscles. Some instructors give advice on how to make the exercises more strenuous. I don't get the splashing issues. Your arms should stay under the water in order to exercise them, if that is where your splashing is coming from. Personally, I don't like the water Zumba classes, although I love regular Zumba. Part of the problem is that my knees don't like it when I do side to side movements, and the water Zumba seems to be almost all side to side. On land, I wear slippery shoes to minimize the torque on my knee joints, but no way to adjust in the pool. So I'll just stick with regular water aerobics for now.

I suppose part of the resistance to water aerobics as a regular form of exercise is the time it takes - driving to a facility, changing, showering, exercising, showering and shampooing, etc etc, takes a lot more time than just going out your front door for a jog. Maybe in Europe peoples' schedules are a little less hectic than in the US.