AQUA SKILLS
DEEP WATER HILO
When it comes to low impact environments, it doesn’t get lower than the pool! But that doesn’t mean
that this aqua workout doesn’t have impact, write Debi Godfrey and Dominic Gili.
eep water workouts challenge the
entire
body
by
offering
multidirectional resistance in an
impact-free yet unstable environment.
If you’re looking to launch or refresh
a deep water class, you’ll need some
inspiration to help you create cardio,
strength and stability workouts that cater to
a broad range of fitness abilities and needs
at the same time.
D
Getting started
Instructing deep water fitness requires
general knowledge of:
• anatomy and human movement
• the effects of buoyancy (in relationship
to gravity) and other water principles
• strategies for balance and correct
alignment for movement in a suspended,
impact-free environment.
Educating your participants by sharing knowledge, explaining how
and why each workout is best performed, and offering modifications
based on individual needs will help you establish credibility and
become a more effective instructor. Participants may not appear to
always be taking in everything that you say, but little by little, over the
weeks, it will sink in.
A great place to start is to discuss with your participants the
hydrostatic pressure of the water and how it improves their heart
function and venous return by assisting the return of blood to the
heart. This can be a real attention grabber if you explain it clearly, and
with enthusiasm – and why wouldn’t you? It’s really positive stuff and
everyone likes to know that what they’re doing is making their heart
work better, especially if it’s happening before they’ve even started
exercising!
Next up, inform your participants about the best ways to
manipulate the water, and explain which muscle groups need to be
engaged in order to achieve vertical alignment and trunk stabilisation.
Share the benefits of the efficient double concentric muscle action
through one movement, for example when working Cross Country
Ski arms, the shoulder flexion in the sagittal plane will engage
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