Alameda offers water aerobics
Cathy Wendling's arms hit the water with a splash.
“People don't think you sweat when you're in the water, but you actually do,” said Wendling, a water aerobics instructor for 18 years.
Alameda Waterpark aerobics kicked off last week and will run from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Water aerobics is a type of exercise to keep people moving in the water, said Tim Calvert, aquatic and programs manager. The classes are for everyone, but mostly attract older adults.
“For some people it's harder to move on land. ... When they're in the water, it's easier to get their body parts moving,” Calvert said.
Wendling led the group in a series of synchronized frog leaps, arm raises, squats and sidekicks that cut through the glistening water and created ripples and waves to the beat of “Lose Yourself to Dance” by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams.
The class is something Wendling wanted to do for years, she said.
“When I come over here myself on a regular day and work out to the radio, before I know it, I've got four to five ladies behind me,” she said.
About 25 people attended last year's sessions, she said.
Wendling creates an upbeat playlist and creates choreography to the music that begins with a warm-up in the shallows, then a high intensity program that moves into the deep end followed by a cool-down back to the shallows.
“Because I've been doing it so long, I don't write it down, it comes to me,” she said.
Workouts are changed up weekly, and Wendling offers attendees level 1, level 2 and level 3 instruction for certain moves, she said.
“I let them choose the level they want to do because it's their workout,” she said.
Water has 12 times the resistance of air, Wendling said.
“When you're moving in the water, you're working every muscle of your body,” she said.
Debbie Switzer and Linda Thoma attended the water aerobics last year when it kicked off at Alameda Park, the two said.
“It's fun and it gets us moving,” Switzer said. “It's girl time.”
Another attendee who synced to the beat of the music was Sue Draper.“It's about getting us moving for an hour,” Draper said.This is the park's first full summer of water aerobics, Calvert said.Last year was a success when it began in midsummer, he said. On a sunny day, about 40 people would attend the sessions.One benefit is that it works out more of the body than different types of aerobics on land, Calvert said.“Being in the water itself swimming uses all the muscles of the body, even if you're floating around or swimming to the middle of the pool,” he said.Calvert offered safety tips for seniors who will spend summer at the pool.“Always swim with someone you know,” he said.A person never knows when they or their friend could be in trouble, Calvert said.“Never go outside your comfort zone of swimming,” he said. “If you're not a strong swimmer, stay inside the area you can touch.”On a colder day, wear a swim shirt, Calvert said.Most seniors are afraid that a shirt will affect their swimming ability, Calvert said. However, the proper shirt will trap warmth in the body.“Wearing a swim shirt will keep your body temperature trapped in,” he said.For people interested in water aerobics, water gloves and water shoes are accessories that will increase the intensity of the workout, Wendling said.“It's important they drink water because people think when you're in the water, you don't need water,” she said. “You do need it because you are sweating.”Water aerobics has many benefits, including flexibility and cardio exercise, Wendling said.“It's easy on the joints for people who have bad knees, bad hips, who've just had surgery and hip replacements,” she said. “In my opinion, water is the best exercise.”
WHAT: Alameda Waterpark Water AerobicsWHEN: 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and FridaysWHERE: Alameda Waterpark, 184 Alameda Park RoadCOST: $6 per person; free for waterpark membersNOTE: No early registration is required. Call 724-284-5384 for more information.
