Girlwithnoname – Fitness at Home

This is a GUEST POST by Amanda Greene, aka @LALupusLady on Twitter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want to make a “splash” in your strapless dress?   Get wet! 

That’s what I did — and I get wet as often as I can now!  

I am talking about water aerobics, or aquatic fitness, or “splashing around” — whatever you call it, get in the pool!   

Aquatic fitness is a great way to add variety and fun to your workout and exercise routine. 

Water aerobics is an excellent way to get complete body training in a short amount of time.   In an hour, a good instructor will give you a class that includes strength training, flexibility and balances exercises, as well as an aerobic workout to rival the harshest spin class.

I got “in the pool” because as a woman who is living with Lupus one of the ways Lupus manifests in me is through a condition where my body, in order to regulate its body temperature, produces excessive perspiration; a condition known as hyperhydrosis.   

I physically could do an aerobics class but the effects of hyperhydrosis would make it uncomfortable for me — not to mention unbearable for those around me!! Sweat would be dripping into my eyes and dropping on to the floor around me in puddles!   

In the pool I could work out and not leave a trail of perspiration in my wake.  So, I started swimming in the pool and doing laps. 

One day, while doing laps, I heard the laughter and giggles of the Water Aerobics Class.  On the way to the locker room,  I mentioned that the class looked like fun.   The ladies said it may have looked like fun but that they got a good workout, and to try it and see.    I did, and that is when I learned about the power of water.

The power of working out in water is amazing. 

Compared to land-based aerobics, water-based aerobics are safer and there is less risk of injury because the water provides balance and body support, as well as the effect of “hydrostatic pressure” (pressure is decreased on the body’s vascular and respiratory system).  

This makes it easier for those with swelling or pressure in the lower extremities to exercise freely and those with no limitations to exercise with more immediate benefits and results. 

And as it turns out, the more water you move, the harder you work. 

In chest-deep water, jogging with your knees high is not as easy as it sounds.  Add in arm movements and a leg extension and aerobic activity is not the first thing on your mind, keeping it all together is.    Before you know it you are doing a “Rockette Kick“!!    

Soon, the class is no longer a bunch of uncoordinated individuals but a coming together in a chorus-line worthy of Radio City Music Hall — even though you really are in the pool at your local YMCA.   Wow, that was fun and your heart is pumping (and even though you are in the water, don’t forget to enjoy a “water break” and actually DRINK some to keep yourself well-hydrated during your workout).

When I had my “Rockette Experience”, I fell in love with the water.  I dreamt about my next class.  I bought two different kinds of shoes.  I had five different bathing suits.  I was consumed!   

My enthusiasm in the locker room after class one day was such that it got the instructor telling me about how she got started teaching, and then suggesting that I become certified by the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) to teach classes so that I could share my love of the water with others. 

Within two months, I was at an AEA seminar for new instructors and became certified to teach AEA Water Exercise and Aerobics. 

Three months later, I had a class of my own. 

I was teaching water aerobics in the San Fernando Valley, but it might as well have been in Manhattan, because there we were doing our “Rockette Kicks”!   

I incorporated things I learned at the seminar and soon my class had grown to 20 regulars and we became a tight-knit group celebrating successes both inside and outside of the pool. 

Whether it was the 24-year-old Karen graduating from Nursing School, or 76-year-old Bev finally letting go of the wall and joining the “Rockette Kick” line for first time — all of our successes were honored with a “Five Diamond Leg” salute (that means everyone puts heels their together to shape a diamond and crunch — which also makes the butt hard as a rock!)

I kept my joy of the water growing by attending the International Aquatic Fitness Conference and realized the whole world is connected by water in more ways than one. 

The healing properties of water are helping me to help others.  When a friend got pregnant, I got AEA-certified in teaching “Pre- and Post- Natal Water Exercise” classes.  Once the baby was born, I got certified to instruct “Parent and Me” classes.

I hope that by sharing my passion for the pure fun and joy of working out in water you too might be inspired to give it a chance.  A good session of water aerobics leaves me feeling exhilarated …

So, get wet, it’s no sweat!

For more information on Water Aerobics, visit the Aquatic Exercise Association website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks again to Amanda Greene for a wonderful and informative GUEST POST. Please feel free to check her out on Twitter at @LALupusLady.

If you are interested in providing a guest post here on Girlwithnoname.com, please get in touch with me through the Contact Tab and let’s see if we fit!

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

8167