AQUAFIT.... Low Impact Great Results - Cold water challenging

Gemstone

Here for the Journey
I started Aquafit in August 2013 and WOW - what a difference it has made to me. In 2005 I had a back injury which has left me with an unstable SI joint. In January 2013 I was visiting the Chiropracter twice a week and walking like an old lady. Thinking about exercise made me wince with pain. Gradually I got to monthly visits to the Chiropracter and tentatively decided to go back to swimming. While there I encountered the aquafit class where people of all shapes sizes and conditions were doing what they could in the water and ........ the best bit...... once in the water the wobbly bits were invisible :) "Why not give it a try?" I thought........

That was 13 months ago and today, although not completely pain free, I am in much less pain than I used to be and I have mobility, stability and flexibility that wouldn't even have dreamed about back in January 2013.

Aquafit uses exercises in water for cardio-vascular and core exercise. The water does two things - it lessens the impact on the joints and provides resistence to the movement, making sure the gentlest of exersise gives maximum benefit. Some of the exercises are done using dumbells which are light spongy things out of the water but get heavier once immersed in the pool. Floats and woggles (long spongy tubes) are also used as tools for resistence and for core work (tummy curls etc).

I started off with two sessions a week but that soon became three. Then I discovered that on a Monday two sessions were close together so began to do a double session.

Towards the end of last year I discovered the Deep End Aqua. This is done wearing a floatation belt and takes the form of jogging, swimming, walking etc to warm up and then circuits - 6 stations to visit in groups with particular targeted exercises in each station. It is totally manic and great fun - I am often behind the others as they are mostly much younger and fitter that me at this session but it doesn't matter.

I have now become totally hooked on Aquafit and have found sessions at other centres which are covered by my leisure centre membership. On average I manage 6-8 sessions a week (including doubles) - that's a lot of towel and swimsuit washing.

It would be interesting to see if others have tried Aquafit and their experiences. I don't do "the gym" as I lose the will to live and many of the other exercises are too high impact on my poor old joints so this is the one for me :mermaid:x
 
I'm an AquaFitter! I'd done it in the past but stopped years ago then I started again in April last year and I do 5-6 classes a week. I also find classes when I am on holiday!
 
..... and I know it has made a difference to you Taz. I am currently doing 6-8 sessiions a week but recently I have been away a lot with NO aquafit so this being my first week back I have got "into the zone" by doing 10 sessions - some of the sessions have been "back to back" so saving on washing ;)

Its been hard coming back to that level of activity but good to get to the end of the week feeling achey but fit and definitely "in the zone". Aquafit is the only class I do so the swimming pool is my gym x
 
​They do it everywhere now. There isn't really any excuse not to exercise, I can't do anything high impact so this is ideal
 
I've managed 7 sessions so far this week and I have 3 more booked. I won't be keeping up this level of activity but for a couple of weeks its been ok and VERY beneficial x
 
I've just managed my second week with 10 sessions - the funny thing is that I booked them all up and once again didn't think I'd do them all...... AND DID! I have 9 booked for next week - we'll see how many I can do. The following week I go away again on the Wednesday so will only get Monday in x
 
Away for a week and glad to be back in the water. Just one session last week but I have done another 4 (2 doubles) today - so I think I might be back in the zone. Nothing now until Wednesday deep aqua.

Taz told me tonight that she has heard of aqua-spinning classes in the Hampshire area - would love to try that! I am not sure cycling is right for me due to a dysfunctional SI joint but the water may support enough to be able to do it......... I wonder if it will catch on elsewhere x
 
Definitely one to watch out for. Spinning classes are still very popular but not suitable for everyone. I would definitely like to give it a go if it ever comes to our area
 
Aparently it is VERY expensive to set up so I doubt if it will come to our area any time soon x
 
Yes I think it would Taz - just have to have a bit of insight from the leisure centres x
 
OK... so a bit more information on Aqua-spinning. Seems that it is harder work than spinning in a gym - guess it would be really as you are pedalling against water. Bikes are very expensive and I'm not sure how they would be fitted. There seems to be two different types of aqua-spinning - single booth and in pool - I think the "in pool" would be much more enjoyable.

Taz - I think it would be really good training for your bike riding but I don't know what impact it would have on your joints, especially your knees.

Its cold in the pool at the moment - freezing according to Taz last night while she sat on the steps at the deep end and wouldn't get in! She did eventually - peer pressure is a wonderful thing at times haha......

The numbers have dropped a little but it is only getting in that is difficult - once in you can work hard and warm up - it is important though to warm your muscles up properly before giving them a work-out.

Happy winter aqua-fitting x
 
Well its all change for 2015 on the aquafit scene. Our favourite instructor is back on Mondays and Thursdays but the Wednesday evening "Deep" session instructor has left and there is no-one to take her place. Also I have had the dreaded lurgi for the last 10 days so aqua has been a no no.

Hopefully I will be back at it sometime next week and get up to speed again x
 
I do swimming, aqua fit and aqua zumba! Great fun. Not sure if they have it in the UK but NZ do it and its great!
 
​Aqua Zumba sounds like fun! Not sure if anywhere does it here. I want to try aqua spinning too
 
Quick update - still aquafitting around 4/5 sessions a week. It'll be 3 years in August. We may be losing the best instructor and another good one is pregnant so we have the loud boxing types doing sessions and it doesn't give me the same workout so may have to go to a different centre. One thing I know is I am not looking to stop any time soon. Aquafit is still what keeps me going x
 
It would be worth travelling to a different centre to get the right instructor
 
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