Aquatic Exercise
It’s not just for seniors
By Sue Nelson
There are more than 3-million U.S. fitness professionals helping more than 73-million Americans stay healthy through exercise, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The fitness industry plays a central and essential role in promoting and maintaining mental, physical, and social health and well-being.
© Can Stock Photo / hKuprevich
Although aquatic facilities tend to market and promote water-exercise programs to “seniors,” most of us know that aquatic exercise is for all ages of different fitness levels. By having added a wellness component into services, guests will learn the “how, what, and why” of aquatic exercise.
In implementing the following six steps, aquatic facilities can increase membership and their bottom line:
1. Gather health histories and lifestyle evaluations. Collect detailed information and keep it on-site for appropriate and safe intervention. Know each member’s health status, risks, problem areas, and precautions to guide effective programming and optimal participation.
2. Conduct fitness evaluations. Measure abilities, implement activities, and then re-measure those abilities to show results associated with water exercise. Focus on members’ needs to provide a result-oriented approach, as opposed to diverting their attention to just having “fun” in a particular class or program.
Photos: © Can Stock Photo / fotovampir
3. Offer structured leadership and staff intervention. Providing constant supervision and interaction with members assures that they are making sound choices in the water when it comes to safety, proper pool entry, social appropriateness, and equipment responsibility, as well as using proper water-fitness techniques. In-water interaction is more effective because it provides a hands-on approach, as opposed to verbal direction from the pool deck.
4. Insist on goal-oriented programs. Make sure there is a focused format on a monthly basis that outlines select areas to be addressed with activities designed to meet participants’ needs and to improve skills in the water that may also carry over to land.
5. Encourage guests to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle and daily routine. Twice-a-week, regular programming will show the most progress versus a hit-and-miss schedule. Participants benefit from a consistent, steady routine; knowing “what” and “when” to expect participation allows them to “be prepared.”
6. Ensure individual reinforcement and group recognition. Motivation to continue in a program lies in the feedback one receives. Key participants into the personal benefits of water exercise by verbally reinforcing, complimenting, or guiding them through the process, thereby developing a relationship and a bond with individual guests and the group as a whole. Establishing tangible incentives for participation, such as raffles, birthday celebrations, group and individual pictures, swim meets, facility involvement, banquets, certificates, awards, and Christmas gifts sparks increased effort.
Sue Nelson is an Aquatic Programming Specialist for Total Aquatic Programming LLC. To learn more on how to design, develop, and deliver an aquatic-wellness program, reach her at Sue@totalaquatic.llc.