“Aqua fitness allows multiple demographics to train in the same environment with the same equipment.”
What’s Ahead
Perception of Aqua Fitness
Evolution of Aqua Fitness
Where to Start?
The evolution of aqua fitness is a trend that personal trainers and fitness instructors should immediately look to add to their programming. Aqua Fitness is no longer just for the active aging population, and the equipment designed for exercise in the pool can be utilized for effective full-body activities. In this episode of the KIPS Podcast, Robert Mitchell from HydroRevolution shares how, as a company, they have been helping shape the perspective of aqua fitness and discusses some of the unique pieces of equipment that fitness instructors can utilize.
Perception of Aqua Fitness
The outdated perception of aqua fitness is that it’s just for recovery and the active aging population. Exercise in the pool can be programmed as a strength training session with sets and repetitions or as HIIT circuits to elevate a client's heart rate and keep a client moving from exercise to exercise. Equipment developed by HydroRevolution includes the Hydro-Tone dumbbells, the Aqualogix Training Bells, and the Swing Trainer. As a personal trainer, incorporating a pool day can mimic exercises done on dryland or help build rotational strength for popular hobbies like golf or Pickleball. Marketing these services can help add extra sessions with a new client or attract new clients wanting to improve conditioning for their favorite hobby.
Evolution of Aqua Fitness
A fascinating segment of this podcast episode is when Robert shares how George St-Pierre shared some of his favorite aspects of training in the pool with HydroRevolution equipment. Robert is the Director of Operations for HydroRevolution. When he heard this revelation of an ex-professional MMA athlete wanting to share his experiences working with their equipment, he knew he needed to capture some of these movements on camera. St-Pierre is regarded as one the best MMA professionals of all time, which in most people's minds is probably not who they expect exercising in the pool.
One of the unique features of aqua fitness is that once fitness professionals experience the benefits, they immediately start to explore different aspects for their clients. HIIT-style workouts in the pool can incorporate all the great HydroRevolution equipment, ViPR Pro, or on-the-deck dumbbell exercises. The possibilities of training clients in the pool are endless, and the workouts are fun.
Where to Start?
If you’re new to training clients in the pool, starting with a pair of the Aqualogix or Aquastrength fins and a pair of Hydro-Tone or Aquastrength dumbbells for around $120-150 can help you program full-body workouts for your clients. You can add on-the-deck exercises with kettlebells and dumbbells, or if you have access to a VIPR Pro, the programming is limitless.
The important thing to remember is, as a fitness instructor, to make sure you can effectively cue each exercise in the pool. Exercise in the pool is a different experience, and the water provides an ever-changing environment. The more whitewash created during movement, the more instability there is, which makes exercise challenging. Be sure you can safely perform the exercise and can step-by-step cue your client from the ground up.
Learn more about HydroRevolution (use code KIPS to save 12%) - CLICK HERE. KIPS Courses - CLICK HERE.
