Spotlight on aqua fit

At its basic level, aqua fit is similar to a land-based aerobics class, complete with motivating music and an energetic instructor leading the group. There are also a growing number of variations from aqua running to aqua tai chi.

Classes are designed to be inclusive, with different exercise options given to suit all levels of fitness and ability. It’s a great choice if you’re getting bored of swimming lengths, love the social side of a great fitness class or are looking to add some variety to your fitness programme.

Anyone and everyone. Traditionally, aqua fit classes have been aimed at the more mature exerciser, thanks to the supportive properties of the water that minimise stress on the joints. But it’s certainly not just for the over-60s (as much as they rock), aqua fit can benefit lots of different people.

Classes are popular with all kinds of sportspeople, including elite athletes, who love the extra resistance the water provides for their workout. And if you are pregnant, recovering from an injury, living with a chronic condition, or simply love the feeling of being in the water, aqua fit could be a fantastic addition to your life. You don’t even need to be a good swimmer - you’ll usually have at least one foot on the bottom of the pool!

Aqua fit exercises provide a fantastic all-over workout, burning around 750 calories per class. Doing the same exercises on dry land simply doesn’t produce the same results in terms of ticking both the cardio and resistance training boxes.

You can expect to work all the major muscle groups during a class and the brilliant thing about the resistance provided by water is that it’s multidirectional. That means that every movement you make requires both a push and pull from opposing muscle groups. Not only does this double the toning benefit of your workout, but it’s also a fantastic way of balancing out uneven muscle tone.

Say you spend most of your exercise time cycling or running – you’ll find that you’re only working certain muscles, leaving others comparatively weaker. As your muscles become more uneven, it isn’t unheard of to find yourself more prone to pain, injury and posture problems. The solution? Balance things out by adding in an aqua fit class to your regular exercise routine.

As well as providing support for your joints and resistance for your muscles, being in the water brings the additional benefits of:

• boosting lymphatic drainage
• improving circulation
• decreasing sweating and resulting dehydration
• massaging your body as you move

Aqua fit fans often speak of how refreshed they feel after a class – a welcome prospect for those of us who finish our workouts as a drained, sweaty mess! Add in the mood-boosting effects of a fun, social class and you’ve increased the feel-good factor even further.

Each class will be designed a little differently, but you can generally expect to be asked to get in the pool and follow along to your instructor’s moves. So far, so simple!

If your class is dance-based, don’t be put off if rhythm isn’t your thing – just give it a go, safe in the knowledge that none of your fellow class-goers can tell if you have two left feet when those feet are under the water. No judgement allowed.

A typical class starts with a warm-up to get your muscles moving, before moving on to more intense cardiovascular exercises to get your heart and lungs working. Your instructor might then give you some balance, coordination and strength exercises to try before leading you through a comprehensive cool-down stretch. You can leave your session there or perhaps follow it up with a swim or steam.

Many classes make use of aqua fitness equipment to enhance your workout. This can include aqua dumbbells, power sticks and special weights to increase resistance, together with balance boards, noodles and floats to help you target your core muscles. Oh, and aqua steps for working those legs – who could forget.

Not really, just turn up in your normal swimsuit (if it’s one you feel comfortable moving around in). You will get really moving - so make sure everything’s secure! Everything.

Some aqua fit fans do choose to invest in additional equipment and accessories:

• Goggles are a good idea if you wear contact lenses or just hate getting water in your eyes (who enjoys it?). You tend not to be completely submerged during aqua fit classes, but it can get splashy.
• Aqua shoes help you grip the bottom of the pool better. They’re particularly popular among aqua runners.
• Buoyancy belts are a great way to feel more stable in the water while you concentrate on your moves, especially when you’re starting out.
• Resistive accessories, such as webbed gloves and ankle weights, increase water resistance for a more intense workout.

You can come along and try an aqua fit class at all of our beachclubs. With so many inclusive activities on the menu, what’s the harm in giving something a go?