I love that any type of age, any type of ability can participate in aquatics, and soon with continued progress we will change the perception of water fitness.
What I love most about my job is to inspire those who teach on land to cross over into the pool. I want to make sure that we are spreading the word that aqua fitness is more than aqua aerobics.
The hardest part for all of us as we get to this age is accepting our body, and our body needs to be in the water where we feel better. We forget what we look like, there are no mirrors, the buoyancy helps us.
I challenged myself to create fun, powerful and effective water workouts. I noticed my depression was slowly fading. Even though I continued to battle with my gastroparesis I was actually enjoying life again.
During one of our exercises, he will ask who is having a birthday, anniversary, or “procedure” … and we sing happy birthday to that person. [...]He’s a terrific role model for us… both physically and emotionally. - Betty G.H.
I was privileged to spend summers in the water and swimming has always been a love of mine. I recommend water exercise for rehabilitation and those that need additional help that they can’t get it outside the gym
People in my class always say 'I can't do it out of water!' but they can in the water. [...] Even if you just get in the water and walk you are going to see improvement in your daily life.
I got involved teaching water aerobics over 35 years ago when I was teaching on land pre and postnatal exercise classes. They called me and asked to come teach in the water, I said 'Of course'.
I feel like [my instructor] has kept we walking for over ten or twelve years. Plus, the class is very relaxing and fun.
My back was hurting me bad and I didn't want to have surgery so I decided I'd try water. [...] Aquatic fitness has greatly improved my life, especially socially, phisically and mentally.
I love Rose’s [Murphy] class - she makes it fun to exercise and she has the greatest music. We have a blast singing along as we exercise.
It’s a pleasure coming to the pool, I look forward to it every week - twice a week! - because [Instructor Rose Murphy] makes everybody happy. And it’s a wonderful experience.
Rose [Murphy] has taught me so many exercises in such a fun way - and I can use them any place, any time I am around water.
I love coming to class because [Instructor Rose Murphy] created a community here. I guess I’ve learned a lot about how fun it is to exercise with other people and in a community.
10 years ago we were on a health kick. I was recommended by an osteopath to do Aqua. […] If we do have a break from aqua classes we feel it. We are a bit more stiff, not as flexible.
About 15 years ago I had a posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis. Part of my recovery, my way of getting back into sports was through water exercise. It was the least amount of pressure on my back, my bones and my muscle.
I take Aqua Tabata, Aqua Zumba and Regular Zumba with [instructor] Sherri [Freifelder]. I absolutely love it, she is very energizing […] and Aqua Tabata kicks your butt.
Since I’ve been going to [aqua aerobics] classes I feel like my core strength has improved, which is really important for osteoporosis. I’ve possibly lost a kilogram or two, and I just got more energy.
I love to take Aqua Zumba with Sherri [Freifelder] because it’s a lot of fun. If I can’t dance on land I will dance in the water.
In our class [Patty Kondub, instructor at Westport YMCA, CT] has created a group of caring, life long friends. When my wife first began to show signs of dementia our early morning aquacise class kept her physically active and functioning for extra years!
I participate in three [aqua fitness] classes a week. I suffer from osteoarthritis and sarcoidosis. I find that aqua aerobics is very beneficial for these complaints.
A few months ago I tore my ACL, I was out of the pool until it healed a little bit but I couldn’t wait to get back. My physical therapist thinks it’s a great workout for my knee.
The one ting that keeps bringing be back [to class] is: it's not just about getting people fit. Patty [Kondub of Westport YMCA, CT] has created a community of like-minded people.
Now that I’m 71 I think I’m in better shape than I was when I was 50, which is great. if you want to give Aqua Zumba a try it really is one of the best workouts ever.
I am completely dedicated to the cause. I am very blessed to be able to run new instructor course here in Australia and offer continuing education workshops and training days, as well as present at conferences internationally.
The class that I enjoy teaching the most is Aqua Zumba. Even if you have physical disabilities such as hip or back problems, or osteoporosis, you can take this class without any problems.
I have both arthritis in my poor aching feet - and so it doesn't hurt - and I also have asthma, so water classes are really good for that.
The biggest thing I've noticed is all of my numbers have dropped since I've started doing [water fitness] and it's only been a couple of months. So the health benefits are fantastic.
I think that fitness has to be fun in order for me to want to do it, and in order for me to motivate other people to do it… [and one of] the good things about aquatic fitness is what happens under the water stays under the water!
Not only has [aqua fitness] improved me as an instructor, I also believe in my heart that it has improved me physically, spiritually and mentally in my own personal journey as I have incorporated water fitness into my own routine.
The fact that I am 91, had cancer at 32, and i'm still here... I've been going swimming more and more since I'm older. [...] I find that the exercise in the water is one of the best therapies.
I love aqua zumba because it lets me do things I cannot do on land, move in ways I can't on land. [...] I absolutely look forward to my [classes].
It's great because I have a herniated disc in my back. It's low impact, it keeps me limber, and it's just very spiritual and very good for my mind.
I'm a dancer. My favorite dances are ballet and lyrical. I do water zumba with my mom. We really enjoy it. It's just fun, we love the water!
Water is a wonderful place to recover if you have injuries - a lot of shoulder injuries here, people coming on knee replacements, we have a lot of joint issues - this is the place to be!
I teach classes because I was a finalist for my country in the Beijing Olympics but I didn’t make it because of a hamstring injury. […] I wanted to [...] help people achieve their goals no matter the age or injury.
I would go in the pool and not have pain. Since then I got involved in a bariatric program […] I did not have surgery but I’ve lost 25lb. And with that my back pain went away. And I’m really looking forward to trying to walk now.
I have artificial knees so [water fitness] is really low impact, and I have become much stronger and i can do almost anything now.
I love it. I went to my physical and my cholesterol levels have come down, my blood pressure has come down, and I have no more back issues!
I enjoy the water and I love the flexibility, I'm able to use my joints better, they feel better. That's how it has improved my life: I'm much more flexible.
I got involved with water exercise because I have severe arthritis. […] Water exercise keeps me mobile and has really improved my flexibility.
I started taking classes due to some medical issues that wouldn’t allow me to do any impact exercising like running. I started through a friend of mine, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Running is my primary sport but I’m injured right now so swimming is a really good way to stay in shape and get the cardio I need and feel really good without putting that stress on my joints.
I did try the other classes and when you get older it’s a little harder on your bones. […] I feel wonderful. I try to be here the five days and I feel great that I do.
I feel like when I swim I just have a more restful sleep. So getting out there and kind of making friends, and then I get a good night's rest -- it's definitely a win.
I try to take [classes] with different teachers because it helps you with different muscle areas. You get to enjoy the water, you are also having fun with the people around you.
I have a condition called lymphedema in my lower extremities — and water is a natural compression, which is something people use to treat lymphedema.
It’s less stress on my muscles and on my joints. It gives me a chance to build strength while I meet resistance with the water, and I absolutely love that.
I do Aqua Zumba because it makes me feel good, because I have arthritis and osteoporosis. Water exercises have helped me immensely with alleviating the pain.
I recently started 'Mommy & Me' parent and child water exercise class. We really enjoy it, both my son and I. It definitely helps my back. I don't feel any pressure and I feel like I'm getting a workout at the same time.
I always do a solo thing. I just like to go there and swim, and be in my zone. If I can at least get a mile in, that’s usually my favorite thing to do.
I just wanted something different than a normal gym or a treadmill. It was just a little boring for me. Once you jump in the water it really wakes you up a little bit.
