H20 Aerobics and it’s benefits

Once I decided to start “moving” (I don’t use the work exercise, too negative for me), I needed to find an something that didn’t kick my butt so much I would never do it again.  I love water, any type of water.   So, I thought water aerobics would be the best way to start.  I wanted to share with you my experience..

H20 Aerobics Class

When I showed up to my first water aerobics class, much to my surprise the instructor ended up being one of the most welcoming and warm person I ever met.  She had the class all say “hello” to me and made sure I was not only enjoying the class but that I was doing the movements correctly so I didn’t injure anything.  I learned later that this is very very important. Well, I was hooked.  I found out her full weekly schedule and followed her around from pool to pool.

Puffer Fish

No matter where i went the classes were always made up of women and men of different ages and sizes.  But, there was always the same crowd in each class that I call the “puffer fish”.  This was a group of people that would crowd together and chitchat.  There arm movement, tiny and slow, would remind me of the puffer fish.  During the class they would carry on conversations about their new hair cut, savings at various grocery stores, grand kids and other gossip type topics.

Keep in mind I was focusing on the movement and technique.  Once I got that down there was no stopping me.  The faster the movement is in the water the greater the resistance.  So, at the start of the class I would find a spot in the pool that gave me plenty of space to “work it out”.  Sometimes the puffer fish group would migrate into my space.  I would be pushing against the water so much that I was creating a wake.  Maybe my wake was sucking them in closer to me.  Anyway, as I plowed along I could hear the puffer fish stopping their conversation and say things like “oh my” or cough and gagging from my wake water splashing in their face.  A big part of a water aerobics routine is jogging the length of the pool.  This really is a great way to not only get warmed up but also get your heart rate going.  Well, I found myself many times running up the back of the puffer fish.  Some would try to keep up with me.  Running hard while looking behind them to see a speedboat in a black swim suit fast approaching their back.  Finally they would give up and back off to give me some space.

Water aerobics was the first serious workout I incorporated into my life.  I did it 6 days a week for over 8 months.  I toned my muscles and increase my aerobic stamina tremendously.  I even built up a nice collection of swimsuits and cute hats.  Soon I realized I my body was getting used to the routine and it was time to mix it up.  These days, I try to do one or two classes a month.  I still love water and the puffer fish know me so well now that they stay clear of my wake.

Here is a a great list of the benefits water aerobics from my instructor Ginnie Plato of AquaFit.

Water Workout benefits:

• Reduce impact relieves stress on joints and tendons
• Increased resistance builds strength and endurance
• Circulation is stimulated, yet blood pressure is naturally reduced
• The hydrostatic pressure of water reduces potential for sore muscles and injury due to overwork
• Balance and coordination are improved with water’s support
• Muscles receive a balanced workout due to resistance properties of water