Gone are the days when exercising in the pool was limited to lap swimming and water aerobics. Now there are a plethora of aquatic activities — from high intensity fitness, to relaxation, to physical therapy — that are bound to please everyone.
At Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center innovative aquatic fitness is its specialty. The club has an extensive aquatic exercise program that has people from all over the Louisville, Kentucky, area flocking to the club’s aquatic facility.
“That is kind of what we are known for,” said Mary Duke Connell, the aquatic director at Baptist Health. “We have been ranked the number one aquatic wellness center and number one exercise program in the nation from the U.S. Water Fitness Association for several years.”
With over 80 aquatic classes a week, members always have a great reason to try exercising in the pool, and they’ll likely never get bored.
Members can have some fun and unleash their inner dancer with Aqua Zumba. Or they can break a sweat with the high intensity Aqua Boot Camp, which combines strength training, cardio and flexibility into one killer workout. If “chilling out” and relaxation is what they are looking for, then Yoqua, which brings Hatha yoga techniques to the water, is a great choice. They can also try the latest fitness trend with Tabaqua, which is Tabata adapted to the water.
These are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the classes available. Connell said, “If you can’t get it here, you can’t get it anywhere.”
Since Baptist Health is also a wellness facility, its aquatic offerings go beyond exercise. The club also provides specialty classes for those who need more of a therapeutic approach. Classes include MS Aquasize, which is developed for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis; Water Wellness, which was designed for those with arthritis or fibromyalgia; and Joint Power, which is geared towards those with hip or knee replacements.
If a diverse offering of classes is not enough to get your members enthusiastic about using the pool, try highlighting the extensive benefits of aquatic exercise. According to Connell, there are positive effects for all ages.
For seniors, the low-impact option of water exercise reduces their risk of injury while increasing strength and flexibility. For younger, more active members, there are a plethora of high-intensity classes that get your heart pumping just as much — if not more — than anything you could do outside of the pool.
“It is a whole new area,” said Connell. “People who weren’t used to exercising in the water are now learning that it is just as beneficial. It is good to do different things, not just the same thing over and over again. We call it healing waters because you come out and feel better. Until you experience it, it is hard to understand.”
