Rubbing Elbows

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Sometimes I overlook the obvious. I’m a Type A and my motto is “Do what you have to do, then you do what you want to do.” It works pretty well most of the time.

There is a very fun aspect of Water Fitness that I haven’t even mentioned. You have the well-known fun of water skiing, jet skis, and swimming in the ocean. There’s also a lot of fun in Water Aerobics!

There is a closeness that develops automatically in groups of people who work out in the water together. Maybe it comes from being in a shared substance (water) while wearing only a few clothes. That’s my working theory.

There’s a camaraderie of shared experience. Everyone is in the pool to do the same thing as everyone else while being aware that they’re doing something healthy and good for their body. The best students like to learn the proper form and really get into the exercises. They are there to get or stay fit and have fun doing it.

Laughter comes easy in a WA (water aerobics) class! I love to watch people’s expressions and reactions. Here are some of my favorite common and funny moments:

Even in an indoor pool the temps are lower than your bathwater, so it’s going to feel a little cool. The expressions of people coming down the steps and into the pool – ranging from surprise to anguish to torture to contentment – I wish I’d thought to create an album over the years!

Learning the exercises is a little difficult and funny to watch at the same time. You have the expectable gaffs with the noodle. For example, the first time you attempt to put it under your feet in chest high water, 90% of the time it will shoot out of the water, flying just past your right or left ear. It is hysterical to witness. 

The buoys often offer a little confusion. They look like dumbbells and yet out of the water they weigh only a few ounces. People initially are not sure what to do with them or how they’re going to help them to get in shape. I watch expectantly for the moment they do their first bicep curl in the water; there it is, the “ah, I get it now” moment. Love it! 

The non-swimmers want to hang out by the most shallow edge of the water at first. I totally understand this. It’s a beautiful moment when they become comfortable with the water and the exercises, and move easily to chest-high water, or even beyond.

I would never make fun of anyone; we’ve all been there at one time or another. It is a source of delight to watch water aerobics newbies gain proficiency and confidence. Not to mention watching their biceps firm up and their waist slim down. 

I think humor is important in life. We get so many challenges and disappointments daily. We need to laugh as often as we can.

The camaraderie is also created during the breaks in the routine. I intentionally built two short breaks into the exercise regime so that everyone can talk to each other, or address the class on any topic they want. Participants can ask or comment on the exercises or water aerobics or fitness in general at any time during class, but I don’t allow the group to break into twos and threes and talk. They can do that on their own time. It distracts the class, makes it harder for other participants to hear the instructor, and confuses everyone, including those talking. The question gets repeated often, “What are we doing now?” The breaks are to relieve the need to chat, while still exercising at a slow pace, for a couple of minutes each.  

Last, before and after the workout, there is casual conversation between the members of the group. You get to know each other, where you’re from, your likes and dislikes, and your sense of humor. As I mentioned, people open up in the water. We seem to feel more open and vulnerable at the same time. 

The fun and the work pay off

A friend of mine who is working out in the water on her own told me that water aerobics always frightened her a little; it was the aerobics part. She felt, correctly, that in some ways you’re getting more workout in the water than you are in the gym and that it might be too much for her. Your BPM (heartbeats per minute) for example, is 10 beats higher in the water. So if your fitness watch shows you a BPM of 107, you’re actually doing 117 in the pool.

Most people are pleasantly surprised by a good water workout. They’re often expecting it to be less effective than it is. A water workout engages several muscle groups simultaneously. Since the water provides resistance, you can work both upper and lower body muscles while performing exercises that lead to improved strength, endurance, and muscle tone.

Water aerobics is a fantastic cross-training tool. Even if your thing is pumping iron in the gym, boxing, jogging, or professional sports, time spent in the pool working out takes care of the muscles you missed. This can ease soreness while offering a refreshing change.

There are lots of reasons people are Hooked On Water Fitness. Camaraderie and creating new friendships are just one. 

How much better can a workout get than kicking your tail feathers while thoroughly enjoying it?

I’ll see ya’ in the water!