Fitness with a splash
Getting older isn’t what it used to be.
Forty is the new 30, and on up, thanks to advances in health care. The population is more educated, at least enough to know that the saying “move it or lose it” holds a lot of merit.
Still, that easy chair looks awfully comfortable and sweat, accompanied with aching muscles, might not be all that appealing. Water aerobics could be just what the doctor ordered.
In the water, you can move around with ease, forgetting that weight on your joints. You can exercise without anyone seeing you sweat. You can feel like you’re leaping across the surface of the moon. You can move your arms and legs against 10 times the resistance of air without the use of weights and you can chat with your neighbor without being rushed on to the next machine.
Teresa Couper teaches nine classes a week at the Valley YMCA. Her students are mostly elderly. Younger people think water aerobics is for wimps, Couper said. “They think that if they’re not sweating or feeling like their heart rate is up, then they’re not working hard enough,” she said. “It is what you make it … high or low intensity. We cater to individual needs.”
Shirley Wollweber, who teaches seven classes a week at 24 Hour Fitness, agreed.
“It’s all encompassing. A good cardio workout and easy on the joints. You can make it as dynamic as you want. It is a hard workout.”
Some of Wollweber’s students started out hardly walking and in pain from a multitude of ailments. “I’ve heard incredible stories and witnessed big changes in my students. The water is healing. Physically, mentally and socially.”
Many aquatic exercise participants have formed lasting friendships. Bess Routt, 79, joined 24 Hour Fitness when it first opened in the Valley. She attends classes three times a week. She’s had a couple of total hip replacements.
“My orthopedic surgeon recommended water exercises. It cushions the joints and I have no problems in the water,” she said, “The comradeship is nice too. We all have aches and pains but when you’re in the water it’s not noticeable. You can do so much … total mobility. If I don’t go to class, I notice the difference.”
Susan Davis, 24, is one of the youngest participants in the water aerobics at 24 Hour Fitness. Diagnosed 6 1/2 years ago with fibromyalgia, she says that water aerobics helps. “It’s easier for me to do the movements that I couldn’t do on land. When I go, I tend to be less sore,” she said. “You get what you put into it; the harder you work, the better the results. In a couple of months, I’ve slimmed down and improved my strength and balance.”
Barb Oviatt, group fitness coordinator at Liberty Lake Athletic Club encourages everyone to try it. “It’s great for people recovering from illnesses or for people in training. It’s friendlier on your joints, and you can’t overdo it with water aerobics.”
Melody Holcomb-Hockin, 50, takes aquatic classes at the Liberty Lake club. “Working out in the water has really strengthened my back and knees,” she said, “and it’s always fun in there. It’s like a little community.”
Cassie Helm, a group exercise water instructor at Liberty Lake, gets up to 35 students per class. “It’s a beautiful exercise program and can be as high intensity as you make it without the fear of damaging something,” she said, “They’re also quite a social group. They have fun … work out, converse, splash and bond.”
Helm also teaches a parent/tot class that encourages parents to splash around with their small children, giving them another place to bond.
“There’s nothing more beautiful than a parent and a baby working together, looking in their eyes, singing, communicating with their body language … it works all of their senses. It makes them strong and confident.”