Splish, splash, it’s time for an Aqua Fit class!

Aqua Fit is a Group Fitness class unlike any other. In case you didn’t know, the entire class takes place in the pool, which is a perfect way to get your workout in while keeping cool. While many might interpret Aqua Fit as an easy class, it may not be as simple as you think it is. Working out in the water does help put less of a strain on the muscles, which may help make it an easier work out on the body. However, weights are still used, and muscle is still built, but the weights you use are specially designed for the water. If you can imagine mini boat propellers, that may be the best way to describe water weights. These weights help add resistance to your workout as you move through that refreshing H20. As you push and pull the water dumbbells through the water, you strengthen your core and challenge hard to target muscles.

For those of you who are still skeptics on whether or not Aqua Fit would be the right fit for you, we interviewed Aqua Fit Group Fitness cycle instructor, Ilke E.W. Ilke is a Stage III breast cancer survivor and lacked the motivation to work out after her cancer treatments. The only way she could get a workout in without overexerting her joints was in the water. She started participating in aqua dance fitness. She lost over 50 lbs., adopted healthy habits, and became a certified Group Fitness instructor, which helped her continue to stay motivated with her healthy new life choices. Ilke shared with us her views on exactly what Aqua Fit is, who Aqua Fit benefits and why you should give it a try.

Q: What sets Aqua Fit apart from other fitness classes?

Ilke E.W.: In an Aqua Fit class, you perform large muscle movements by reaching your arms and lifting your legs in the water as well as circling your hips and shoulders with the resistance of water added.  Furthermore, water gives support in terms of balance, minimizing the potential for injury to the muscles and joints.  In a land-based exercise, you do not have that.

Q: Would you recommend aqua fit for all age groups? If so, what would you like our younger members to know about it?

I.E.W.: Unfortunately, there is a myth among young groups that Aqua Fit is only for “grandma” while she does her thing in the water wearing a flowered swim cap. I can convince any millennial if she/he did ten minutes of my class in the water. First off, the workout is intense, as intense as you would like to make it. It combines both cardio and resistance and can be even more challenging because you are doing jumping jacks, leg lifts, and arm movements with the added resistance of the water. With the added benefit of dance fitness, a young person can stay motivated doing challenging and greater motions with their bodies in the safety of the water dancing to the tunes they hear every day.

Q: Why chose Aqua Fit over other aerobic options?

I.E.W.: Working out in an Aqua Fit class during the week will add variety and minimize burn out for members. Adding more resistance into a workout with the safety of the water will encourage members to push themselves even harder when they know they probably will not get hurt doing challenging moves.

Q: What does Aqua Fit mean to you?

I.E.W.: Aqua Fit means a healthy choice while I have fun doing it in a party atmosphere, while it does not feel like a work out or a job.

Ilke with friend, and LAF Member, Kathy K.

Susan P. enjoys Ilke’s Aqua Fit class because of the “fun, socialization, [and] support.”