water aerobics/aquatic exercise

May 31, 2005

All teachers of aquatics should know about those exercises, but the

ones I posted also have the benefit of physical therapists certified

in aquatic-rehab, so those I posted are a combination of input of

about 5 PTs, 2 aquatic-certified generalists, and the one general

personal trainer I worked with. They are always going to workshops and learning

new exercises to teach.

I don't have any pictures or diagrams, but that shouldn't be too hard to get. My

aqua-ciruit program is one hour - any more would be overkill. I'm in the pool

3X a week, if not 4 - once in awhile the pool I use is too busy with regular PT,

so I can only go twice; it all works out anyway. I have built up to the level I

work at over a period of 3 years, transitioning from PT after surgery, then to a

class, then to a Personal Trainer, to now on my own for the last year and a

half.

Start slow because at first your legs and body may really love the

ease of the exercises due to buoancy, but when you're back on land,

you might feel really wiped out. That's why starting with either a

therapist or trainer or class is good and then you can learn to work

at your own pace.

I have a few other exercises I forgot about - again - grapevine walking - this

is walking the length of the pool back and forth sideways, but crossing one leg

over the other. Also for balance, walking with arms swinging and following the

line on the pool floor with a book on your head. (yes lol, we have lots of old

books that are used for this and are " water conditioned " ) They were bought at

thrift stores, so any librarians out there, just want to make sure you know we

are not abusing books or damaging them on purpose.

One other thing in aquatics I have learned is to wear shoes. I wear a

clean pair of worn out New Balance shoes. There are many other " pool shoes " you

can buy, but I " recycle " my shoes this way.

~ Gretchen

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