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No pain all gain
Exercise doesn't need to be painful, as Mandy Grant, who runs aqua aerobics classes in Aylesbury, reveals in a one-off column for BH Magazine.
Aqua Aerobics is often the misunderstood class. It is performed in the water and outdates the concept, no pain, no gain.
It has a reputation for being a class for the unfit, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I challenge the fittest of men and women to feel refreshed and a only little tired after a 45 minute to one hour workout, whether it is a shallow water class, waist to chest high, or deep water.
As soon as you enter the water the pressure causes the body to tighten and the heart to slow down between seven and nine beats per minute, which means that people with raised blood pressure and those of us stressed out will feel the benefits without danger.
As we move about in the water, with only a tenth of our body weight putting stress on the joints, the buoyancy of the water on the body creates toning on all the muscles and allows good joint flexibility without aggravating joint conditions. At the same time it provides a strong cardiovascular workout, allowing the heart and lungs to benefit greatly from the various jumping and springing exercises performed.
In fact water provides 12 times more resistance than land exercise but feels 12 times easier.
Apart from the obvious benefits to the disabled, elderly and pregnant amongst us, it is also a great provider of continuous cardio vascular exercise and toning, and relevant for those who may have recently suffered a sports injury and are currently unable to be challenged by the gravity of a land class or gym.
It could be considered a rehabilitation class for those recovering from a sports injury, wishing to maintain a good level of fitness.
Due to the low impact moves of the class you will gain all the health benefits of a land class with less chance of falls or injury. It also allows the body increased joint suppleness, with resistance, and can be performed to music whilst having fun. A continuous moving exercise class that benefits everyone from the elderly and infirm to the most energetic of us.
This class can also be performed using aids such as water dumbbells, floats, water gloves and waggles, so therefore it becomes a more interesting and varied way of working out. Offering the aids to work with also means greater resistance and they can be added to any of the aqua classes as a muscular, strength and endurance component. These exercises are easily performed without strain to the muscles or joints.
Also, there are no fancy difficult dance moves required in the class, so little or no embarrassment for the uncoordinated amongst us. If the instructor wishes to add any dance moves, alternatives are always offered and should you wish to have a go you are hidden in the water. The instructor can always keep a close eye on the students' progression from the poolside. Which also brings me to the point that even if you have a slow progression in the class from week to week you will still experience the same benefits. All the moves are effectively demonstrated at a slower pace than a land class, so they are often easier to pick up.
Non-swimmers can also take part in shallow water classes as the moves are frequently performed upright. Once again buoyancy aids can be used if you feel a little nervous.
Our aqua aerobics sessions are held at Spirit Health Club, Holiday Inn, Aylesbury. We currently have a Wednesday class at 12.30pm and are trying to resurrect a Monday evening class at 6.30pm.
I qualified as an exercise to music instructor and gym instructor and after years of teaching classes I could see a real need for Aqua Classes. I also qualified as a Speedo instructor later on in my career and currently work as a lifestyle consultant at Spirit Health Club.
For me, it is an enjoyable way of teaching as I know most levels of fitness and abilities can be involved. Trust me, it can be hardcore and will challenge the fittest amongst us.
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Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 25 May 2012
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