BUOYANT SENIORS
Aquafit classes at the YMCA are popular with seniors who find they move with less discomfort in the water
Every weekday in the downtown YMCA pool, you` ll see them at work: the Aquafit class of women and men moving in the water, gently strengthening their bodies through a series of music- driven, low- impact exercises.
Although not specifically targeted at seniors, the Y` s Aquafit classes are extremely popular with this age group. This is because Aquafit combines a total body workout with motions that are slow and fluid; bodies are buoyed up by shallow water to minimize stress on joints and muscles alike.
“The great thing about exercising in the pool is that it provides such excellent support to your body,” said Donna Morrison, downtown YMCA’s co- ordinator of the aquatics program. “This is a big help to people dealing with arthritis and other physical conditions because the water effectively carries a lot of their weight, freeing them to move without pain.”
“Exercising in the pool is really good for your circulation and strength,” added Rosemary Joly, one of the downtown Y’s Aquafit instructors. “This is because the water provides resistance against motion, in addition to giving your body buoyancy.
“The result is that Aquafit can improve agility, balance, cardiovascular health, co- ordination and endurance. Doing it regularly can also help with weight control, stress management, and self- esteem.”
Aquafit classes run for 50 minutes each, with the YMCA offering them throughout the year. ( Check www.ymcaquebec.org/en/ activities/ aquafit/ 78/ for specific times and locations across the province.) The class begins each time with a warmup, to help the participants gradually get their bodies into motion without causing themselves strain. From this point, the Aquafit instructor takes the class through a variety of exercises that work on both their cardiovascular and muscular fitness. These motions allow participants to slowly and gently work the various muscles and joints of their body, all the time while being held up by water.
“To add to the variety, we often use styrofoam weights and pool ` noodles’ to allow us to do different moves,” Joly said. “The class then ends with a cooldown and stretch, which enables participants to slow down their heart and breathing rates, and also to work on their flexibility.”
For seniors, Aquafit offers an opportunity to reclaim a degree of physical fitness, no matter how little exercise they have done in recent years.
“We help people of all shapes, ages, and sizes,” Morrison said. “This being the Y, we’re a judgment- free zone where everyone is welcome. As well, for anyone who is selfconscious about their appearance, the fact is that Aquafit classes keep your body mainly hidden in the pool.”
For many people, Aquafit is a good opportunity to meet new friends and form relationships.
“In fact, it is quite a tight- knit group at the downtown Y,” Morrison said. “Many of the women who take part meet beforehand for coffee, and then go out for lunch afterwards.
“The class becomes a focal point of their day. It’s something they really look forward to.”
The Y’s Aquafit classes are open to all YMCA members, and are included in their membership fee. Members can take part in as many or as few a week as they wish. The upside is that the more classes seniors take, the more fit they become — and the better they feel.
“We have a number of participants who have been told by their doctors that they are in great shape for their age group,” Joly said.
“Not only are these people healthy, but they’re happy and have made some friends here at the Y.
“For them, as for most participants, Aquafit is something that has improved their lives in many ways — without putting too much strain on their time or bodies. This is what makes this program so perfect for seniors.”