If all you picture when you think of a pool workout is swimming and water aerobics, it's time to wake up and smell the chlorine.
"The perception used to be that water exercise was for certain groups of people, like those in a rehabilitation program or older adults," says Julie See, director of education for the Aquatic Exercise Association. "And it's wonderful for both those populations. But with new types of programming and equipment, we're seeing that it's great for all ages."
From boot camp to spinning and everything in between, just about every fitness craze that's popular on land has made a splash into the water. Give your joints a break and shake up your weekly workout routine with these six trendy pool workouts.
Underwater running or biking
Love the excitement of spin class but looking for a new challenge? Many large aquatic facilities and resorts offer underwater treadmill and cycling classes. Some even allow people to use the equipment for solo workouts. Since moving through water forces muscles to work harder than air does, both pieces of equipment will up the challenge-factor of your workout—without stressing your joints. That's what we like to call a win-win!
Aquapole classes
Pole dancing classes don't generally attract the timid, but pole dancing under water is a totally different story. Since participants are partially submerged under water, Aquapole classes are a far less intimidating alternative. Some classes are dance-oriented, while others focus more on strength training. Since people are lighter in water, it's a bit easier to support their body horizontally, See explains. "It's exciting for the people to be able to do some movements that they know they couldn’t do on land."
Aqua kickboxing
Spending time in a pool is typically a relaxing experience, but it also offers an also opportunity to release some aggression. Kickboxing and other martial arts classes are becoming increasingly popular in the water, See says. Students practice the typical punches and kicks, but instead of aiming for a heavy bag hanging from a gym ceiling, they're making contact with one that's connected to a sturdy pole in the water.
Stand-up paddleboarding
You already know stand-up paddleboarding is a water sport, but it's a whole different experience when you're doing it in a pool instead of open water. In pool-based SUP classes, the boards are tethered to the sides of the pool, so the boards stay in place. (See likens it to a workout on a stationary bike.) People paddle, practice yoga and even do jump training on the uneven surface of the board. "It's a great way to get people going, 'huh, maybe water exercise is for me,'" See says.
Aquatic boot camp
Like boot camps on land, some aquatic boot camp classes use equipment while others rely on bodyweight resistance. The teamwork element remains similar, too. "The big draw of this class is the camaraderie," See says. "You may have to accomplish athletic goals with team members, and the class is geared to people of all ages and levels."
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