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With nearly two decades of experience teaching aquatic fitness classes, my unwavering passion remains unchanged: change the perception of aquatic fitness through education and collaboration. At S’WET™, our P.E.C. mission is to embrace the power of collective effort and continuously build a community of wave warriors, who lift up one another while remaining students in an ever-evolving industry. We firmly believe that amplifying the strengths and accomplishments of others strengthens and enhances our own expertise. Our ultimate objective is to educate fitness directors of all kinds (land and water) on how to transform their pools into “liquid gyms,” encouraging more members to prioritize their health and wellness safely. -- Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour The "Aerobics" Conundrum By S'WET™ Lead Master Trainer Katy Coffey Imagine if your doctor told you to increase your weekly cardio, and you decided to sign up for some "aerobic" classes at your local gym. However, when you arrived for the 9 AM aerobics class on Monday, you found yourself in a fitness class centered around Latin-inspired dancing. While you broke a sweat and struggled to keep up, it wasn't what you expected. On Tuesday, you showed up again for aerobics and found benches lined up with barbell equipment. The class focused on high repetition muscle conditioning, leaving your muscles sore but not providing the cardio workout you were seeking. Wednesday brought yet another surprise as you entered the studio to find yoga mats spread across the room. The 45-minute class focused on breathing and stretching, leaving you increasingly frustrated. Thursday's class featured chairs and attendees mostly in their 80s, while Friday's class introduced suspension ropes for body resistance training, but there were only 10 available spots and you hadn't signed up. At this point, you may be beyond frustrated because you signed up for a gym class that promised "aerobic" conditioning, yet the actual classes were completely different from what you expected. As you can imagine, if this were truly the case, no gym would be able to grow. When members enter our facilities, they expect to see a group fitness schedule with a variety of offerings. For example, Mondays might offer Zumba, Tuesdays could be dedicated to Barbell Conditioning, Wednesdays to yoga, Thursdays to chair fitness, and Fridays to TRX suspension. Each class has a specific purpose, definition, and title that helps students understand its focus during the 45-minute session. This is how the fitness industry works. However, in the Aquatic Fitness industry, there seems to be a different approach. All aquatic fitness classes are commonly referred to as "Water Aerobics," even though the classes may have different teachers or formats. The schedule simply states "Water Aerobics" at 9:00 AM every day. Let's take a moment to recognize the harm that this simple word does to both our industry and the potential growth of our membership base. To begin, let's examine the definition of aerobic conditioning according to Webster's Dictionary: "Aerobics: a system of physical conditioning involving exercises (such as running, walking, swimming, or calisthenics) strenuously performed so as to cause marked temporary increase in respiration and heart rate." Aerobics is a physical conditioning system aimed at improving the body's ability to utilize oxygen. Activities such as running, jogging, swimming, and dancing stimulate heart and lung activity. To derive benefits from aerobic training, the heart rate must be raised to the exerciser's training level for at least 20 minutes, and a minimum of three sessions per week is required. Now, let's pause and reflect on the classes you teach in relation to this definition. Does the term "aerobics" accurately describe the content of your class? Do you bring your students to the aerobic threshold for more than 20 minutes? Do they engage in steady-state training? In most cases, this is not the case. We often teach dance, HIIT, balance, arthritis exercises, intervals, or boot camps. As an industry, we need to start considering our classes as an aqua studio rather than just an aqua class. A well-balanced schedule should offer a variety of classes with different intensity levels and cross-training modalities, all designed with a specific intent in mind. How do you choose a name for your class? When adding an aquatic fitness class to the schedule, remember that words hold power. The name you choose for your class matters. Before settling on a name, consider the ultimate outcome of your format. What will students receive, and what should they expect? Is the class focused on strength? Does it involve low-impact exercises with intervals of lower intensity? Does your class move to the beat of the music? Try to summarize your class in 2-3 sentences that capture its essence, and then find 1-4 words that encapsulate the key elements. For example: Boot Camp H20: Students will be pushed past training plateaus with shallow water training designed to target agility, balance, coordination, speed, and cardio capacity. Stretch & Balance: This low-intensity class focuses on mobility, functional movement, and active stretching, supported by the water's resistance. Consider adding an intensity scale to your schedule. Many prominent fitness centers have redesigned their schedules, whether on their app or website, to include an intensity scale. This scale helps students quickly determine the level of intensity for each class. For example, a variety of yoga classes can be differentiated through the title and intensity scale. This allows students to identify if a class is foundational and gentle or includes high-intensity interval training in a heated room. Both classes fall under the category of yoga but have significantly different intensity levels. Collaborate with your manager and explore the possibility of introducing intensity scales to guide members toward the appropriate class. Let's also strive to be inclusive in our formats. Search "Aqua Aerobics" in your internet browser and click on the images. What do you see? Most likely, images of seniors holding hand buoys above their heads, with dry hair and calm waters. While this may represent a standard low-intensity aquatic fitness class, the imagery and stereotype associated with the term "aerobics" can be exclusionary. Now, search for "Aquatic Fitness" and examine the images. You'll likely find a more diverse catalog featuring specialty equipment, a variety of age groups, and different exercise styles in the water. As professionals, we know that water is beneficial for everybody and EVERY-BODY, not just specific populations. Using inclusive language in class descriptions can invite new clients to try the water, even those who might be put off by the mental image associated with "Aqua Aerobics." For example: Hydro Fit: A traditional aquatic fitness class that improves flexibility, range of motion, strength, muscle tone, and cardiovascular endurance using the resistance of the water. Tabata H20: Tabata training breaks down a workout into intervals of 20 seconds of exercise and 10 seconds of total rest. This high-intensity class ensures a full-body workout in 45 minutes or less. As an industry, we must work together to change the perception of aquatic fitness. I challenge you and your facility to abandon the term "aerobics" and add more focus to your schedule. Once we establish clear definitions and terminology for the classes we offer, we will see positive momentum in transforming this industry. Katy Coffey is the Senior Aquatics Trainer for the YMCA of the North Shore. For more examples of their "Liquid Gym," visit their Aquatic Fitness Schedule Page at https://www.northshoreymca.org/aqua-fitness-liquid-gyms. Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association. Originally appeared in the April / May / June 2023 Issue of AKWA. Copyright Disclaimer: All content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. We are always open to collaboration and partnerships. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission. AI Disclosure: Some photos in our posts may be AI-generated.

by Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour What are most new gym members offered when they join a club? A FREE personal training session/assessment! Feedback from members by the pool, however, suggests that they either find the land-based personal training session uncomfortable or have yet to redeem it because they do not enjoy land-based workouts. This had me thinking, as an AEA Certified Aquatic Fitness Professional and NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, what if I could offer them a one-on-one session in the pool instead? Having conducted thousands of land-based personal training assessments in my two decades of experience, I was excited to adapt all these techniques to the water. Training in the water doesn’t just allow for movement in three dimensions (which can also be done on land), but it also adds an element of what I like to call ‘levitating’ work. The ability to fully utilize buoyancy and position our bodies parallel to the ground while maximizing our core muscles is one of the top reasons I love aquatic training so much. Whether I’m working in a shallow or dual depth pool, I divide the lane I’m using into four parts: A, B, C & D. A represents the shallowest area of the lane where Anchored work can best be utilized. B is the ideal depth (mid-chest/below armpit level) for the client, where Bounding occurs. C is the transitional depth, which refers to being partly able to touch with tippy toes, and great for Conditioning exercises. D is for our ‘levitating’ work in the Deep End, where the body is fully suspended off the floor. Dividing the lane accordingly helps me plan my training sessions and educate my client on the benefits of each depth. By incorporating all three planes of motion into each block, I ensure a total body workout while maximizing the potential of each water depth, thus maximizing their results. I keep things simple during my training sessions and use the AEA seven base moves: This allows my clients to learn and perfect the fundamentals while being challenged at different depths. They gain strength and confidence by utilizing the water for resistance and buoyancy. Overcoming the fear of water is a common concern in our classes and one-on-one/small group training sessions. Addressing your client’s physical and mental needs is crucial for ensuring their safety and building trust with the client. When your client knows that you prioritize their safety and are there for them every splash of the way, they become more willing to try new things and push themselves to progress, enhancing their confidence and strength. I initially start sessions without any equipment, focusing on hand placement, especially for the first two sessions. By focusing on hand placement initially, clients realize their ability to create force through the water and use their arms and core muscles to stay afloat, enhancing their confidence. Gradually, I introduce three-dimensional drag and/or webbed gloves. When introducing buoyant equipment, I prefer starting with the noodle and then progressing to two hand bars to address muscle imbalances. As we progress, we work on unilateral movements (single arm or single leg), allowing me to identify areas that require strengthening, flexibility, or stability training. A typical training session consists of several components based on the recommendations of the NASM and the AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual. These include a warm-up, flexibility exercises, cardio or anaerobic work, muscular strength or endurance training, core stability exercises, conditioning-specific exercises, and neuromotor training. Depending on the client’s goals, physical limitations, pool and air temperature, pool space, and available equipment, I tailor their training session to incorporate all or some of these components. By offering gym members a one-on-one session in the pool instead of a land-based training session, we can cater to their preferences and provide a fresh approach to personal training. Training in the water offers unique advantages, including three-dimensional movement and fully utilizing buoyancy. Ensure a comprehensive water workout by carefully planning, incorporating fundamental moves, and utilizing water-specific equipment while addressing clients’ individual needs to build their confidence and maximize their results. I will share a sample training session to give you a better understanding of how I use the various water depths to achieve specific goals. NOTE: It is crucial to ensure that as a fitness professional you have your own liability insurance, especially if you are not covered by the facility where you work. Additionally, verify with your client that they have been medically cleared for physical activity to prioritize their safety throughout their aquatic training journey. SAMPLE TRAINING SESSION: The Warm Up (thermal & cardio-respiratory warm up with dynamic stretching) Assisting Arms walk forward down/back A --> D (Alternating & Breaststroke Arms) Alternating Impeding Arms while walking down towards deep (High knee march w/ long arm pushing in line of travel) A --> D Walk Backwards with Impeding/Breaststroke Arms (thumbs up) D --> A Lateral Side Steps down/back with Assisting Arms (JJ) A --> D 10X/Exercise – T-Jacks, Moguls & CC Ski - D Walk to shallow with posterior alternating heel reaches D --> A Hydrate Conditioning (cardiorespiratory, muscular, stability & core training) Hand Bars: (Between B & C - Chest/Armpit level in the water) Strength 10X/Exercise: Repeat 3X JJ w/ Bilateral Elbow Flexion (arms down/legs together to start – jack legs out as elbows bend) CC T-Jacks Stability w/ Hand Bars Split Stance – 45 sec/lead leg Bilateral Shoulder Flexion/Extension (Alternate to Modify) Switch lead leg Float Hand Bars & Slowly Toe-Heel walk backwards to shallow & heel-toe back to start position. Split Stance – 60 sec/lead leg Unilateral Shoulder Flexion/Extension – Opposite arm of Lead leg (Ex: Right forward w/ Left back using Left Arm) Switch lead leg and arm Float Hand Bars & Slowly Toe-Heel walk backwards to shallow & TIGHTROPE walk back to start position (heel touching toe w/ soft bend in the knees) Repeat 1-4 – 2X Drop Hand Bars Hydrate Grapevine Shallow to Deep/Back 2X (Turn around to switch lead leg) Core w/ Noodle 10X/Exercise: Repeat 1-5 --> 3X (Between C & D - Transitional/Deep)) Rock & Roll (Lev III Front/Back shoot through) Lev III Push ups Noodle behind back: Reverse Plank with Jacking legs (feet below hips) Rockette legs/Straight leg kick with TOE TAP to floor (R+L=1) Tuck & Shoot w/ touch down (Tuck knees to chest, shoot legs forward, tuck back in & touch down --> Repeat) Cardiorespiratory Training Shallow End Squats 10X - A CHARGE to Deep side with Alternating Impeding Arms (High knee march with long arm pushing in line of travel) 10X/exercise: T-Jacks, Moguls & CC 10 Wall Taps @ Deep Wall Walk backwards w/ breaststroke arms to shallow. D --> A Repeat 1-4: 3X Challenging them to push a little harder each round Hydrate Cool-Down (cardio-respiratory cool-down & post stretch) Walk to deep & back with posterior alternating heel reaches – 2X Walk to deep & back with high knees and relaxed arms by side with palms forward – Stretching shoulders/chest with the water’s resistance – 2X Deep – Using ladder for light support/balance Right foot on wall (toes parallel) Hamstring Stretch Right ankle circling 2-3X/direction Right foot over left knee – Figure 4 Right Hip Stretch REPEAT on Left Side Slow walk to shallow with posterior alternating heel reaches Using steps (1 foot at a time) – Small heel drop off step to stretch calves (hold for 2 breaths) Quick Recap & ‘Homework’- Hydrate/End of Session Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association. Originally appeared in the Dec / Jan / Feb 2024 Issue of AKWA. Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission. AI Disclosure: Some photos in our posts may be AI-generated.

Guest Blog by Irene McCormick, MS, CSCS Looking for some wisdom on weathering "The Big M" ? I got you! For so many women, menopause is entirely disruptive. Just managing all of the ups and downs in mood, fatigue levels, and lack of energy, she can become entirely missing from her own life, almost becoming invisible in the eyes of others, as so many women of this age group are in our American culture. As a 30+ year professional fitness veteran and educator, I work exclusively as a women’s trainer and fitness coach, with a focus on exercise for women over 50. I tend to the needs of those who have moved into perimenopause, or who are already into it. I see my role as a guide and facilitator to help her understand how to deal with these physical and emotional changes. Today’s blog is about the benefits of using exercise, diet, and meditation to support these life changes, and to offer her solutions that are as uplifting, manageable, and encouraging as they are relatable. Any Menopause Exercise Programs Out There? The importance of making exercise a priority during all the phases of menopause is as important as exercising through your pregnancy. Finding classes for specialty populations can be done by searching the programming offerings at a fitness facility. You will likely see many classes for older adults (those with frailty issues, have balance concerns, or are afraid of falling), and there are plenty of programs designed for individuals who are fit or young, with few limitations or injuries with a massive focus on intensity! Few if any programs out there are designed to deal with the physical issues of menopause. The needs of these women are vastly different, and as a result I created a program designed for this population called JUST START. Consistency Over Intensity! I meet so many women over 50 who tell me they used to exercise regularly, or try to fit in a regular fitness routine, but really struggle with finding appropriate programs for their changing needs. The desire to try, but without the ability to stick with a consistent fitness routine can feel defeating, overwhelming, and discouraging for a woman experiencing the compounding stress of menopause, along with the unexpected and seemingly uncontrollable changes that accompany this time of life. Additionally, joining programs that focus on impact and intensity over controlled, precisely performed strength training in a program that is not necessarily designed for her can be very demotivating and discouraging. I observe few fitness facilities serving programming for this population. It’s almost as if the word 'menopause' is something to be ashamed of...It is not a disease condition, and it can be managed through diet and exercise, and possibly some hormone replacement therapy. Women need specific support & information during this time, and frequently approach their physicians with the burning questions they need answers for. Here are the Top 5 Questions most frequently asked of physicians about menopause. Important Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, so always refer to your physician for advice on treatments that are best for HER. Q: Should I get Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? A: A medical professional would advise your best course here, but be sure to see a health care professional sensitive and empathetic to your questions and needs. Many western-influences medical professionals will not do HRT, but many more do! HRT has been happening in Europe and Australia for over 70-years. Keep in mind it is “therapeutic” hormone replacement series, not massive doses of anything that would make her muscles big or hurt her heart. Q: Will menopause affect my libido? A: Most definitely. Sexual desire and intimacy can really wane during this time of your life. Although it is not discussed, men also experience “man o pause” and they most certainly do experience a decrease in sexual desire. This DOES NOT have to be the case for men or women. Exercise, specifically strength training, will raise naturally occurring testosterone in both a male and female body, but certainly not in the same proportions, so do not worry about huge muscles. But you will have increased energy and ability to create lean mass, i.e. muscles! Q: Should I take supplements to treat my menopause symptoms? A: I am a huge fan of supplements just for that reason - supplementing an already good diet. I know I do not consume enough daily protein. It should be one ounce of protein for every kilogram of your body weight. So, you will have to convert your weight to kilograms by dividing your body weight in pounds by 2.23. Once you have your body weight in kgs., you can just consider 1 ounce of protein for every kg of body weight. Now I try to eat my protein, but sometimes I need to supplement with a shake. Supplements during menopause may address low levels of certain vitamins or minerals, which need to be evaluated through a blood test. Ask her to request a full blood screen panel from the doctor. You may need to ensure that all the hormones are included (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, etc.), and you might even need to pay extra for those. Do it. It’s worth the knowledge. When I had my hormone panel done once my testosterone levels were at a 2. Normal for women is 75 or higher. You can imagine how low my energy levels were, and I was gaining weight in unexpected places, despite my exercise. Remember, you CANNOT exercise away from a poor diet. It all has to come together, especially at this time of life as little changes make bigger differences. Q: Do I still have to get PAP tests and mammograms after menopause? A: Yes, all women certainly should get annual physicals that include gynecological exams regularly. Screening is self-care. Q: How long do these symptoms last? A: It depends on her lifestyle, genetics, current levels of activity, diet, sleep cycles, and preexisting conditions. But remember, hormones act on the body in minutes, hours, days, months, years. They are powerful chemical messengers that signal for changes in the body. The symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, mood swings, premature fatigue, sudden issues with temperature (hot or cold), memory issues called “menopause moments.” This occurs when she is talking and forgets mid sentence what she was talking about. Yep, that happens too. Plan for these symptoms to be happening on and off for a few to several years. I also get a lot of questions about exercise during menopause. Let me share some of the questions I get from women regarding their fitness program options during menopause and my suggestions for science-based results. Q: How does she lose her menopause belly? A: Abdominal fat is called visceral fat, and lucky us, it’s the easiest to lose. Does it take work? YES! But it is totally possible. My JUST START VIRTUAL Fitness program offers 16-sessions divided into 8-weeks and 4 mesocycles and includes exercises and movements that will absolutely help you lose fat and gain lean mass. Visceral fat likes to be processed through the aerobic system, so moderate-intensity steady state exercise is best on her off days of her strength training sessions with me. Diet also plays a huge role here! Q: Why doesn’t cardio work anymore, and why is she gaining weight in different areas of her body? A: The decreased lean mass accompanied by the total loss of muscle (naturally occurring sarcopenia) accompanied by a low-fat & low-protein diets will literally make her fat. The ACSM recommends 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week for all healthy adults. That is 30-minutes, 5x a week. Low intensity (but not no intensity). I have an aquatic workout and a great treadmill walking workout for my clients that is perfect for meeting this need. Body fat has a unique way of finding storage places, and she will never run out of storage space for fat! This is why the decreased lean mass is showing up in areas around her upper arms, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. The fat takes the spaces the lean mass did occupy. Q: Can I control my menopause symptoms through diet & exercise? A: She will definitely decrease the intensity of the hot flashes, anxiety, moodiness, and fatigue through changes in her diet and consistent (3-5 times weekly) exercise, but not entirely. Food can exacerbate inflammation, irregular sleep patterns which will influence all kinds of uncomfortable, moody symptoms. Number 1 is alcohol. This includes the one glass of wine at night. It creates a belly. Caffeine (keep coffee consumption to before 11 am and only 1 cup, no flavored creamers), refined sugar (think Oreos and sugary yogurt), highly processed foods (think Cheetos, Wheat Thins, granola bars) and soda pop, especially diet. Q: What kind of exercise training is best during menopause? A: Intensity without impact, strength based training, micro-bursts, nutrition counseling, high-volume training and a progressive program that increases in effort and intensity as you progressively adapt two times weekly for 8 weeks. JUST START Strength for Women by Irene McCormick, Life Times Dynamic Personal Trainer and Virtual Fitness provider. I hope you found this content informative, empowering, and if nothing else, know that nothing — not even menopause — lasts forever. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Irene McCormick, is the former Senior Director of Fitness for Orangetheory Fitness. She is an IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year, a twice-published author for Human Kinetics, and an award-winning conference educator and keynote speaker. Irene holds a MS in Exercise Physiology from Iowa State University and serves as an SCW Fitness faculty member. Irene is also the creator of the SCW Foam Roller certification and presents several SCW Fitness certifications. She is the Lead Conference Educator for WaterRower®, Master Instructor for TRX®, and Master Trainer for Savvier Fitness. As a RYKA FitPro and Subject Matter Expert for Orangetheory, NASM, and ACE, her certifications include ACSM Fitness Leader, NSCA-CSCS, ACE CPT, ACE GFI ACE LWM;, NASM CPT, AFAA Group Ex, TRX, and AEA. Find Irene Online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-mccormick-ms-78903b160/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gogetherpoddotcom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irene.lewismccormick/ Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission. AI Disclosure: Some photos in our posts may be AI-generated.

Part II of III By A.J. Meyers In Part I of this series on brand-building, we introduced you to Heather Rhodes, a recently licensed S'WET™ Instructor. Heather is currently working on developing her own fitness brand using one of her most notable attributes... ...her own last name! Say hello to RH20DES FITNESS! And lemme just tell you right now, Heather's going all in! Heather attended the B.Y.O.B. lecture when I presented at DCAC this summer, and had this to say about her overall experience: "Between speaking with you prior to your session and then listening to the width and depth of what marketing and branding actually entails...I'm feeling maybe a little overwhelmed! But it also confirm[s] the steps I need to take going forward." And as you'll learn more in this part of the series, Heather is taking those very important steps now! If you're attending this year's MusicCity FitCon, during the Build Your Own Brand lecture, I spend a lot of time explaining the difference between a brand and a logo, and why sometimes you shouldn't become too attached to the latter. Why, you ask? Because logos evolve. Heather sent over some of the revisions her own logo went through over the last couple of design iterations. You'll notice some specific font and color changes, as well as the use of a tag ("Catch the Wave"). All of them incorporate the water/wave graphic, which I would offer is most effective when in blue. Heather is doing what all brand-builders should: Testing the waters! See what works best and how it may look on things like business cards, a website, a t-shirt and even social media. She's also asking her networks for their input. Getting FEEDBACK (even sometimes the harsh kind) from those you trust and who know what you do well can be an important and insightful experience. They may just see something you don't, or the other way around. But here's another take-away we cover in the B.Y.O.B. lecture: Where you begin and where you may end up in the logo design process ultimately depends on where you are with the business and branding process. To drive this point home even more in the presentation, we take a deep dive into one of the most successful brands to date...and to do so, I'll tell you the tale of the two-tailed mermaid who started it all: STARBUCKS: A Case Study Keep in mind, one of the main purposes of your logo should be to identify your business (i.e. your brand) through the use of a symbol, graphic or image, often relying on fonts, colors and other creative elements to set it apart. Sometimes that may include the company name, or some words or catch phrases. Sometimes a simple swoosh will do! Ultimately you want a logo that elicits a connection between what you're doing (or selling) and why it's unique to you. But sometimes, the very products or services you offer may change. For example, maybe you're one of the many land instructors who took the Turf to Surf workshop and are turning your focus now to aquatic fitness for some extra income? Or maybe you're a yoga and pilates instructor who shifted to weightlifting or ax throwing. Or perhaps you just stop selling spices... I show B.Y.O.B. participants the below photo of the very first Starbucks store opened in 1971 in downtown Seattle, WA. Eagle-eyed viewers might notice something very unique in the storefront window. It's the original Starbucks logo: A brown circle around a TOPLESS (seriously) two-tailed mermaid offering coffee, tea and SPICES? Side-note: Am I the only one who thought the wavy-haired royal woman in the middle was waving her hands in the air, like one of those inflatable gas station balloons? Nope. Those are her legs, rather, both her tails...? The point is, whether you noticed it or not, the iconic Starbucks logo has actually changed quite a few times in it's five decades in business. And will likely revamp again! But while the logo has shifted on the cups themselves, the service and experience you get as a customer should always be the same, no matter when or where in the world you're enjoying the product. And THAT is a direct result of their finely curated branding. [More on this in lecture. Click here to Register for MusicCity FitCon.] By the way...before you even think about investing some money in hiring a graphic designer, or spend hours trying to do it yourself, it's a good idea to do some research about who else is out there right now in a similar space. You might find that the very logo or design you had in mind is already in use, and perhaps may even be trademarked (which we'll get into in Part III of this series.) Taking a look at what your competition is doing may feel kinda shady, but it can actually be a healthy exercise to see what a future client of yours might see and react to as an alternative choice on the market. It can also help you avoid the things you think they aren't doing so well. Just pay attention to the specific elements that spark your appeal most, as they may be a little-too-similar to what you want to do yourself. I shouldn't have to say this, but "copying and pasting" someone else's work is a big no-no. That doesn't mean if someone is using a pair of hand-buoys in their logo, you can't also...But always come back to what I describe in the presentation as "the four main ingredients" to a successful brand! One of them is YOU! What makes what YOU do (offer or sell) so special? And how can you represent that thematically? There's only so many images, shapes and colors fitness people can choose from when building their brand. Figure out what makes what you're bringing to the table unique, then how you can use it to influence your future branding. Alright, so what if you're at the stage where you've already got your logo and have begun to build a branded business...? What next? First, never forget that in all bodies of water, there are predators lurking. And just like in the wild, as a budding professional you need to make smart decisions to survive the arena, as well as evolve and adapt to the changes (and technology) in the market. Building your own brand is just the first step. Once you got it working for you, part of your new role as a brand owner is protecting it with your life. And as you'll discover in Part III of this blog series, there are some small but important steps you should be taking to avoid potential bloody waters in the future. If you're attending MusicCity FitCon this October in Nashville, send me an email to let me know so we can chat about where you are in the process and what steps I recommend you take next! Email me at AJ@JenniLynnFitness.com Be sure to read Part I and Part III of this series on brand building for more! Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Part I of III By A.J. Meyers I open my Build Your Own Brand lecture the same way every time, asking those in the room who have a logo to raise their hand. Inevitably a few arms will shoot up proudly. Then I ask them to keep 'em raised if they also have their brand built yet. It breaks my heart a little bit each session when I see even one hand drop. Because the truth is, when it comes to building your branded business, your logo is just the tip of the iceberg, and in some cases, may not even be the best place to begin... Let me be clear. A well designed logo is crucial to brand recognition, and you likely will need an insignia of some sort to stand out in our very competitive and visually motivated marketplace. We discuss in the B.Y.O.B. lecture, the first purpose of a logo is to establish a bond between your brand and the product or service you offer your customer/client. [A close second is to mark your territory.] It's important though to understand that what ultimately ends up in the corner of your business card or website, isn't, by itself, your brand. Logos and Brands; they are not synonymous. I would even argue that one (your brand) should always be informing the other (your logo), not the other way around. So when one of our newest S'WET™ Instructors Heather Rhodes pulled out her phone minutes before the lecture began to show me logo designs she's been working with, I asked her permission to use her as a case study for this article. "What started off as a hobby turned into a fitness career for me," Heather shared, "and I have been toying with a business name for years." As she swiped through the photos on her phone, Heather told me she had been through several different brand and business names in the past couple of years. Part of that was because she worked with many different formats. But thankfully for her current water students, Heather has turned that focus to mainly aquatic fitness! "I think when I finally went to IAFTC (the annual international water conference hosted by the AEA) and had a bigger picture of what other people were doing, it excited me that much more to establish what I am doing," she said. Truth is, Heather already had some really great logo ideas sketched out. She also happened to have the incredible luck (and marketing genius) to highlight a key brand element smack dab in the middle of her last name: RH2ODES. I mean...come on! A water fitness instructor with access to an H-2-O right there in her name...? I loved it! Of course, Heather has been living with that last name for quite some time, and has likely become accustomed to the beautiful brand synergy available there. I did wonder though if the creative play-on-words would land the same to a stranger at first glance? After all, her current clients already know exactly what they get from her. It's the student she hasn't met yet that she really needs to reach. (Another lesson we cover in the lecture!) So I tossed out an idea..."Could you play with the "H2O" part some more to really highlight the water connection?" Think about different colors, fonts, designs, etc. (In our lecture, we cover brand elements like this, and why you should never grow too attached to one, as it will probably change as you do...) But immediately what came to mind for me was something like this: If the unaware student saw something like that...it's very likely they'd know her focus is on water. H2O-4-EVR! Now whether Heather ends up adopting any of the advice or not, as a member of our licensed S'WET™ SQUAD, she gets brand and marketing consultations as she continues to carve out her space within the aquatic fitness community. And trust me...you will be hearing from Heather R-H20-DES soon enough! In fact, she's already offering S'WET™ classes at the Victory Family YMCA in Yorktown, Virginia and will be attending the S'WET™ DEEP Instructor Training with us at Music City FitCon in October! Curious where did Heather finally land with her logo? You'll have to come back here for Part II or follow her online to see more! Find Heather on Instagram Find Heather on Facebook Find Heather on YouTube Okay...but what if I don't have a cool last name like Heather?! Before you run out to hire an expensive graphic designer and/or a lawyer to legally change your name, consider joining us for Build Your Own Brand (B.Y.O.B.) this October at Music City FitCon. It's a beginner's course breaking down the basic elements of a brand, how it's different from your logo, and why you probably need one in today's competitive market. Conference Dates: October 27th-29th. Learn more at https://musiccityfitcon.com. NOTE: YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THESE WORKSHOPS DIRECTLY AT MUSIC CITY FITCON! Here's a list of all the other workshops and lectures we'll be offering at this year's Music City FitCon: Smart Circuits with Katy Coffey Friday, October 27th (8:30am-9:45am) Regardless of the type of equipment or size of your class, circuit training can effectively give your students a total body workout. Learn three different ways to structure your classes with a variety of equipment that is available at your pool. This is an ideal workshop for pools who purchased a small handful of specialty equipment. This workshop may be customized to host sites' equipment. Instructor Vocal Care with Chris LaCour Friday, October 27th (12:00pm-1:15pm) Have you ever finished your classes with a sore and tired throat? Yelling too much over your music? No microphone to help you out? We know how it feels! In this workshop you will walk away with vocal tips, tricks and techniques to keep your vocal instrument healthy and strong. Learn the research behind the vocal health of fitness professionals and how important this ironically unspoken topic affects our industry and livelihoods. Noodle RX with Jenni Lynn Patterson Lacour Friday, October 27th (3:30pm-4:45pm) This intense but low-impact workout was created to accommodate students of various heights and fitness levels in a shallow-water class. The first segment focuses on creating class content with grounded moves and the other two segments demonstrate how to incorporate a noodle to provide creative challenges and reduce impact. The Power of Ω with Katy Coffey Saturday, October 28th (7:00am-8:15am) Deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. Dude Moves with Chris LaCour Saturday, October 28th (1:45pm-3:00pm) Whether you already have males in your classes, or are trying to attract more men, this pool workout will give you moves that are turbo charged with athleticism and masculine energy. Strength, power and wall work combined to draw in a new demographic to your classes and make some serious waves! Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Whether you've never been or will be returning again this year, we hope to see your smiling faces in Nashville, TN for another amazing Music City FITCON! Conference Dates: October 27th-29th. Learn more at https://musiccityfitcon.com. NOTE: YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THESE WORKSHOPS DIRECTLY AT MUSIC CITY FITCON! Smart Circuits with Katy Coffey Friday, October 27th (8:30am-9:45am) Regardless of the type of equipment or size of your class, circuit training can effectively give your students a total body workout. Learn three different ways to structure your classes with a variety of equipment that is available at your pool. This is an ideal workshop for pools who purchased a small handful of specialty equipment. This workshop may be customized to host sites' equipment. Instructor Vocal Care with Chris LaCour Friday, October 27th (12:00pm-1:15pm) Have you ever finished your classes with a sore and tired throat? Yelling too much over your music? No microphone to help you out? We know how it feels! In this workshop you will walk away with vocal tips, tricks and techniques to keep your vocal instrument healthy and strong. Learn the research behind the vocal health of fitness professionals and how important this ironically unspoken topic affects our industry and livelihoods. Noodle RX with Jenni Lynn Patterson Lacour Friday, October 27th (3:30pm-4:45pm) This intense but low-impact workout was created to accommodate students of various heights and fitness levels in a shallow-water class. The first segment focuses on creating class content with grounded moves and the other two segments demonstrate how to incorporate a noodle to provide creative challenges and reduce impact. The Power of Ω with Katy Coffey Saturday, October 28th (7:00am-8:15am) Deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. PANEL DISCUSSION: Reaching the Unreachable with Jamie Nicholls, Gail Bannister Munn, Dani Dyer, Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour & Dane Robinson Saturday, October 28th (10:15am-11:15am) To truly impact more lives, we need to put both feet firmly into our participants' shoes. Behavior change has been a conversation in the health coach, group fitness, fitness business and personal trainer world for some time; the future of our effectiveness will depend on providers learning more about what makes people light up and spread the word about why they love moving with us. This panel will address ways to understand where your participants are coming from, build trust, inspire, and motivate clients for longer. Build Your Own Brand with AJ Meyers Saturday, October 28th (12:00pm-1:15pm) This workshop is designed to help instructors understand the importance of identifying and building their own brand. Group exercises and motivational dialogue will help answer the following questions together: What is a brand, and how is it more than just a logo? What can a brand do for a small or start up business? Do I need a brand if I’m not a real business? We'll focus on the latest and greatest tools, methods, platforms and practices to harness the power of your own brand to build up business and attract new clients. Dude Moves with Chris LaCour Saturday, October 28th (1:45pm-3:00pm) Whether you already have males in your classes, or are trying to attract more men, this pool workout will give you moves that are turbo charged with athleticism and masculine energy. Strength, power and wall work combined to draw in a new demographic to your classes and make some serious waves! S'WET™ DEEP Instructor Training with Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour Sunday, October 29th (9:00am-5:00pm): S’WET™ DEEP is our Structured Water Exercise Training program specially designed for deep water fitness. Developed by industry experts, Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour & Katy Coffey, S’WET™ DEEP will elevate your aquatic fitness programming to the next level. With S'WET™ DEEP, you'll learn how to train smarter, not harder, by harnessing the buoyancy and resistance of the water to optimize your workouts. This certification provides you with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively structure your deep water training sessions to achieve maximum results for all fitness levels. As a licensed S’WET™ DEEP instructor, you will learn how to teach deep water classes using appropriate equipment and exercises that are specifically designed for suspended work. In addition, you will be trained in the S’WET™ formula, which emphasizes the importance of proper form, safety and movements of everyday living. Cost: $250.00 before 9/15/23 / $300.00 after 9/15/23 CEC’s: 7.0 AEA, 0.8 ACE, 7.0 AFAA, 0.7 NASM With a growing demand for aquatic fitness programs, this is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while also pursuing your own passion for health and wellness. Start your journey to become a licensed S’WET™ Instructor today and help the S’WET™ Squad change the perception of aquatic fitness! PLUS...you'll be invited to join the S'WET™ SQUAD, a community of aquatic fitness instructors committed to changing the perception of water workouts to bring more people of all ages and experience levels to the pool while delivering a high intensity, low impact cardio and strength training program! Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Guest Blogger: S'WET™ Instructor Irene Pluim Mentz We have always heard that to increase bone density, you need weight bearing activities, preferably with increased impact. But is that really so? With this article I hope to increase understanding of the mechanics needed to keep your bones strong and debunk the myth of needing high impact weight bearing exercise as the one and only option. What is bone density exactly? The density of our bones is measured by the amount of minerals, mostly calcium and phosphorous, in a certain volume of bone. It means that if you have a higher amount of those minerals in your bones, your bones are stronger, more dense, than those of somebody with fewer of those minerals per volume unit of bone. And when something is more dense, it usually is stronger. In this instance, it means you might be less likely to break a bone than somebody with a lower content of these minerals. And since bone fractures, especially in post menopausal women, is a major cause of disability, it would be beneficial to reduce that risk. In many publications, it is recommended to walk, run, hike, dance, play tennis, or climb stairs to help maintain bone density. Recently strength training has been added to the list of activities that have a positive impact on the strength of our bones. But why are these things beneficial? Let's dive into a bit of anatomy: Muscles are attached to bone by tendons at the osteotendinous junction (OTJ). When muscles contract (shorten) the tendon pulls on the bone and makes it move. Every time there are forces transmitted from the OTJ to the bone, it elicits mineral absorption, increasing the amount of minerals per volume unit of bone i.e. increased density! However, not all types of exercise deliver an equal amount of these osteogenic forces. To have a beneficial effect on the strength of the bone (bone density) the mechanical load needs to exceed that of your usual daily activities, hence the recommendation for hopping, jumping, and running. Progressive resistance exercises are included in this recommendation. Resistance training, aka strength training, increases muscle strength. As your muscles grow stronger, they pull harder, more forcefully, on your bones, increase the mineral absorption, and therefore strengthening your bones. Unfortunately the reverse is also true: a more sedentary lifestyle decreases muscle strength, which in turn diminishes the force applied on your bones. At that time, mineral absorption decreases, causing bones to become weaker. To continue the benefit of strength training, it will need to be progressive; meaning: if you do the same strength training routine over and over, it will become the new baseline and your body will adjust to that. Most frequently, when we hear about osteoporosis we think of elderly women. And yes, it is true that women are at greater risk to lose some of their bone density. However, men are at risk too, especially if there is a history of having used steroids, anticonvulsants (seizure medication), cancer therapies and several other risk factors, including thyroid, kidney, or digestive system problems. About 50% of women over 50 years of age will fracture a bone due to osteoporosis where for men that statistic is about 1 in 4. Aquatic fitness is a great modality for people who have been sedentary or already have some form of osteoporosis, since it cushions the impact on the joints, therefore minimizing possible pain or discomfort from joint related issues. However, due to the viscose nature of water, it provides a much greater resistance than typical land exercises do. It also decreases the risk of falling, causing people to be more willing to try exercises that could potentially lead to loss of balance, such as single leg stands, hops, or even jumps. The variety of exercises, equipment choices, and depth level changes available in the pool give an unlimited amount of variety, aiding the need for continued progression to combat adaptation. The AEA states the following: The resistance level of water just from physical movement places a demand on the skeletal system, thus placing a load on the bones. Once the bones are subjected to this stress they are forced to respond and increase muscle tension. This entire process results in stronger and denser bone, happening with just minimal movement. Think what could happen is you added specific bone loading exercises and added resistance equipment yet to that (emphasis added by author). Another finding has been that the impact on the bottom of the pool adds to the bone loading capacity. Even though this impact is reduced compared to land based exercises, it still provides the stress to the bones and therefore increases their strength. Not to say that deep water exercise does not have this value; rather, those participants have a greater water resistance factor to overcome and load their OTJ and thus their bones in that manner. And on Oct 9, 2019, Playcore reported the following findings from research they found: While the control group demonstrated a decline in all measures, the aquatic exercise group increased bone mineral content while maintaining bone mineral density. The findings that aquatic exercise maintains bone density which prevents the expected yearly decline should (also) not be overlooked. Conclusions: Do we need high impact exercise to maintain bone density? My conclusion is a resounding: NO. What we do need however, is a progressive overload of our OTJ and muscles to maintain the mineral content in our bones. Can aquatic exercise be used to accomplish that: ABSOLUTELY! Let's turn to our liquid gyms! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Irene Pluim Mentz, PT, ATRIC became a licensed physical therapist in the Netherlands before immigrating to the United States. She is the co-owner of One Step Beyond, Inc. Physical Therapy. Irene’s passion for anything “water” led to becoming an AEA certified instructor. She integrates her knowledge of hydro-dynamics with physical therapy into all her sessions. Irene is the inventor and developer of the Aqua-Ω adjustable drag resistance water exercise equipment. Find Irene Online: On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquaohm On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquaohm Website: https://www.aqua-ohm.com/ HEADED TO DCAC IN AUGUST? Be sure to find Irene and the rest of our S'WET™ SQUAD demonstrating the incredible power of The Aqua-Ohm! Turbulence Training with Irene Pluim Mentz featuring Aqua-Ohm Friday August 4th (7:00 – 8:15am) Let’s create some turbulence to spice up your water aerobics, boot camp, warm water, rehab, and personal training sessions. Explore how the Aqua-Ohm can add resistance to arms and legs and challenge the core. This equipment, part of the Liquid Gym Toolkit, effortlessly adjusts for size and resistance level. The Power of Ω with Katy Coffey Saturday, August 5th (7:00-8:15 am) Gain deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. Register Now: https://dcacfitness.com/ And check out all the other workshops we'll be offering in Reston, VA @ DCAC this year: Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Whether you've never been or will be returning again this year, we hope to see your smiling faces in Reston, VA for another amazing DCAC FITCON this summer! Conference Dates: August 4th-6th. Learn more at https://dcacfitness.com. Here's just a few of the many places, workshops and lectures you'll find our S'WET™ SQUAD at this year's conference. Friday, August 4th (8:30-9:45 am): Smart Circuits with Katy Coffey Regardless of the type of equipment or size of your class, circuit training can effectively give your students a total body workout. Learn three different ways to structure your classes with a variety of equipment that is available at your pool. This is an ideal workshop for pools who purchased a small handful of specialty equipment. This workshop may be customized to host sites' equipment. Friday, August 4th (12:00-1:15 pm) Instructor Vocal Care with Chris LaCour Have you ever finished your classes with a sore and tired throat? Yelling too much over your music? No microphone to help you out? We know how it feels! In this workshop you will walk away with vocal tips, tricks and techniques to keep your vocal instrument healthy and strong. Learn the research behind the vocal health of fitness professionals and how important this ironically unspoken topic affects our industry and livelihoods. Friday, August 4th (3:30-4:45 pm): Noodle RX with Jenni Lynn Patterson Lacour This intense but low-impact workout was created to accommodate students of various heights and fitness levels in a shallow-water class. The first segment focuses on creating class content with grounded moves and the other two segments demonstrate how to incorporate a noodle to provide creative challenges and reduce impact. Saturday, August 5th (7:00-8:15 am) The Power of Ω with Katy Coffey Deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. Saturday, August 5th (12:00-1:15 pm) Build Your Own Brand with AJ Meyers This workshop is designed to help instructors understand the importance of identifying and building their own brand. Group exercises and motivational dialogue will help answer the following questions together: What is a brand, and how is it more than just a logo? What can a brand do for a small or start up business? Do I need a brand if I’m not a real business? We'll focus on the latest and greatest tools, methods, platforms and practices to harness the power of your own brand to build up business and attract new clients. Saturday, August 5th (1:45-3:00 pm) Aquafiitcation with Katy Coffey Aquafiitcation teaches the aquatic fitness professional how to build a curriculum for your Aquatic Fitness class when inspired by land based fitness. This workshop will review the difference between Gravity Resisted training in contrast to buoyancy & drag. Group work will then take popular land fitness videos and as a team aquafy the workout for content to use in their own classes. Sunday, August 6th (9:00am-5:00pm): Please note: This training will be held OFF SITE at the Reston YMCA, 12196 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA. S'WET™ Instructor Training with Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour Cost: $250.00 before 6/30/23 / $300.00 after 6/30/23 CEC’s: 7.0 AEA, 0.8 ACE, 7.0 AFAA, 0.7 NASM S’WET™ is a dynamic aquatic fitness program that combines the benefits of swimming, water exercise, and resistance training. Founded by industry expert, Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour, S’WET™ offers a unique approach to aquatic fitness that challenges participants to push beyond their limits, while also focusing on safety and proper form. As a licensed S’WET™ instructor, you will learn how to teach classes that are both fun and effective, using a variety of techniques and equipment. In addition, you will be trained in the S’WET™ philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of staying active and engaged in order to achieve long-term success. Whether you are looking to supplement your current fitness career or start a new one, becoming a licensed S’WET™ instructor can help you stand out in the competitive world of fitness. With a growing demand for aquatic fitness programs, this is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while also pursuing your own passion for health and wellness. Start your journey to become a licensed S’WET™ Instructor today and help the S’WET™ Squad change the perception of aquatic fitness! PLUS...you'll be invited to join the S'WET™ SQUAD, a community of aquatic fitness instructors committed to changing the perception of water workouts to bring more people of all ages and experience levels to the pool while delivering a high intensity, low impact cardio and strength training program!

Guest Blogger: Ann Gilbert Are you ready to bust into the business of becoming an aquatic fitness professional? The benefits of exercising in the aquatic environment are widely acknowledged among our instructors and fitness enthusiasts alike. This low-impact setting alleviates pressure from joints, elongates the spine, offers natural resistance, and provides a sense of comfort and playfulness. However, becoming a successful coach in this field demands a higher level of confidence compared to the past. Today's instructors must excel at persuading non-exercisers or newcomers to embrace the benefits awaiting them as soon as they step foot into the pool. Venturing into this business requires becoming an expert as well as a fitness "influencer" of sorts for your students, presenting ample opportunities for professional growth and expansion within the fitness and wellness industry. As aquatic leaders, it's crucial to approach this endeavor with utmost dedication, as it can open new career pathways. When embarking on the journey into aquatic fitness, certification becomes a non-negotiable requirement. It transcends simply learning a format, routine, or specialization. Certification equips coaches with an understanding of human movement in the aquatic environment, enabling them to comprehend the benefits of aquatic exercise for building strength, endurance, cardiovascular capacity, and improved activities of daily living. Moreover, certification empowers instructors to provide clear and professional cues, ensuring safe and effective workouts for all participants. It boosts confidence and helps establish the coach as a seasoned professional through effective branding. Additionally, finding and reporting to a mentor is essential. Beyond passing the certification exam, the guidance of a mentor propels instructors toward their goals and creates meaningful experiences. To achieve success, consider the following steps: Divide and Conquer: Break down your goals into small, achievable steps. Focus on one step at a time, mastering it before moving on to the next. Overcome Fear: Embrace challenging moments even when failure appears imminent and the goal feels unattainable. Push through the fear and take action. Anticipate Setbacks: Setbacks are a natural part of the process; they are not the end. After every setback, recommit yourself to your goals. Learn Along the Way: Embrace a growth mindset, keeping what works for you and discarding what doesn't. Unexpected challenges serve as opportunities to acquire new skills. Share Your Goals: Announce your aspirations to those who matter to you. Write about them in your blog, journal, and social media, solidifying your commitment to turning your goals into reality. Remember how it felt when you took your first session and empathize with new students. While the die-hard participants will take care of themselves, focus on creating a positive experience for beginners who may feel intimidated and uncomfortable on day one. By creating memorable and enjoyable sessions, you facilitate a positive long-term memory, making it easier for clients to return and continue their fitness journey! Also, it it absolutely critical as an instructor you prioritize your own self-care, ensuring your own well-being. Protect yourself from the challenges of the pool deck and environment, as well as the physical demands of the job. Incorporate resistance training into your schedule at least twice a week, while fueling your energy to deliver exceptional experiences. Practice in the pool to ensure your program design is science-based and suitable for participants of all levels. Equipped with the following tools, you are ready to embark on this exciting journey: Certification Mentorship Strength Training Safe Environment Continuing Education It's time to build your dynasty and embrace the endless possibilities in the new realm of aquatic fitness! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ann Gilbert, CPT ACE, AEA, SCW, is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive who owns Shapes Fitness for Women. With a strong commitment to her teams and members, Ann has become an award-winning leader in the fitness industry, advocating for active longevity through innovative programs. Recognized as part of the FOX 13 family in Tampa Bay and collaborating with various events and organizations, Ann's expertise spans over three decades, making her a sought-after speaker and inspirational figure. Connect with Ann Gilbert on the following socials: - Facebook: Ann D. Gilbert - Instagram: Annfitt - Creator: S.E.A.T: Supported Exercise for Ageless Training You all know the expression, "you can't take care of others if you don't first take care of yourself." As Ann points out in her blog, it is essential that as an instructor, especially in aquatic fitness, you practice regular self-care. Aqua professionals face their own unique challenges. To name just a few: Demonstrating often on wet, unforgiving concrete floors, sometimes without proper padding provided. Competing with loud music, muffled by the sounds of splashing water and likely kids screaming nearby. Breathing in harsh chlorine-filled air, especially with indoor pools. That's why we created "Instructor Self-Care: Vocal & Body Prep & Repair" with Chris LaCour! In this 30-minute video, Chris LaCour shares a series of stretches for before and after class to promote flexibility and help prevent bodily injury. He also demonstrates vocal exercises that can be done before and after a class to prepare and repair your vocal cords and other sensitive areas of the throat! PREPARING & REPAIRING THE VOICE As a vocal instructor for 15 years, Chris entered the world of fitness instruction keenly aware of the need to prepare and protect his voice. He equates teaching a couple of classes to singing in a cabaret all night. Aside from the vocal exercises that Chris demonstrates before and after a class, he also provides some advice regarding what you consume before a class and the difference it makes in how hard your voice will need to work. Here are some good and bad options: Things to AVOID for optimum vocal health: Caffeine Cold/Icy Drinks Chocolate Sugary Drinks Too much Citrus Milk/Dairy Things to CONSUME for optimum vocal health: Herbal Teas Honey Lemon Ginger Warm Water (add a little lemon and/or honey) Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Guest Blogger: Michelle Wakefield My name is Michelle Wakefield, and I am the Superintendent of the CRC/ Jammer for Zumba/ Zumba & Aqua Zumba Instructor/ Rockin Cycle instructor/ NASM Nutrition coach & personal trainer / AMAZING wife and mother. My certifications are through NASM, AFFA, AEA, and ACE. I have licensing and have been licensed through Zumba in every format they offer, UJAM, Pilates, Schwinn Cycle, Les Mills BodyPump, CXWorX, Aqua Strong, SCF Drench and SCF Kick. Needless to say, I do love my titles and certifications. I have had 13 years of experience in the fitness industry and I have been able to find success in an industry that can be very competitive. I really do feel the secret of my success has come from my humble beginnings. When I first started in fitness I had just had my third child and was 5’4” and 220 pounds. I was just diagnosed as being obese and pre-diabetic. My husband and I had the conversation that we were just becoming parents. Eating macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets was something that parents did. What we didn’t realize was that we were becoming unhealthy and out of balance. We were tired and sluggish. A turning point for me was when my daughter brought home a Mother’s Day card and it listed my favorite thing to do was sleep. I told my husband that we were too cool to be this uncool so I started going to the gym. The added bonus: they would watch my kids for free for two hours with my membership. It was all I could do to walk a mile and I couldn’t help but think how far I had to go. In college, my husband and I were professional ballroom dancers and fitness was everything. Now I was back to square one. I started attending fitness classes and found Zumba®. It was on the 24-Hour Fitness schedule, and ironically after I had my first child I saw a late night infomercial that sold the original Zumba® DVD’s. I thought to myself this was something I could handle. I went to the classes and it brought back all the good feels that I had being a professional dancer. Because of my dance experience (and because I have great supportive friends), people started telling me that I should become an instructor. I shrugged it off at first, but then decided that I would “give it a year and see what happens.” I went to my first B1 training and soon was hired to sub classes. The Group X Manager for 24-Hour Fitness did something that actually was going to shape the rest of my career. She expected that I prove myself. I was already a great dancer and I had the license, but she wanted me to prove that I was actually a fitness professional/instructor and not just a patron looking for fame and glory. Her expectation was that I would study hard…get certifications…get more licensing…till I was an instructor that patrons could look up to and trust to help them with their health and wellness journeys. For her company, she wanted people who stood out and were the best in the industry. So that is what I set out to be. With that came more job opportunities, more reasons to advance, as well as class filled satisfied customers that could trust the process. Things were not handed to me, I had to work for it, but it has paid out in so many ways. Job success, financial success, and even family lifestyle changes have resulted from my fitness journeys. I always get asked if it is important to be certified. If you're interested in becoming a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, or health coach, it's critical that you first get certified. Period. Attempting to enter the fitness field without a certification will significantly limit your hiring opportunities, income and clientele. Earning a recognized certification/license confirms you are competent and ready for the job. As a boss it gives me and our clients confidence that you have the knowledge and skills to design and deliver safe programs to meet each client's health and wellness needs. In an industry where many people use titles they have not earned, having an accredited certification will set you apart from the competition. I have been dancing since I was three and competitive dancing since I was eight. To be competitive it was important to take from the right instructors and to really focus on how you perform the steps. This hyper focus helped me to make the BYU Ballroom Dance team where we became USA National and British Champions. Fitness really is the same way, to be competitive you have to learn from the right people and learn how to correctly perform each movement. For dance it was to look the right way, for fitness is for safety, results and performance. Not only does getting certifications/licensing get you more accredited, but it also helps you avoid burnout and keeps you excited about our industry. Attending training has always left me feeling up to date, motivated, hungry, connected, confident, which in all honesty, is the most important because it will give you excitement, passion, and longevity in your field. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michelle Wakefield lives in Springville, UT. She's been a Zumba ZIN™ Member since Oct 2011 and absolutely loves teaching Zumba® classes. The reason is simple: Every class feels like a party! She is currently licensed to teach Zumba®, Zumba® Toning, Aqua Zumba®, Zumba Sentao®, Zumba Gold®, Zumba® Kids & Kids Jr., CIRCL Mobility™, Zumba® Step. Follow her on the following socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ZumbaMichelleW Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.wakefield.58 Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

Here's what some of our recent attendees had to say about their experience with our Turf to Surf workshop: Sit beside any pool during open swim and you will see a bunch of kids laughing, yelling, and bouncing up and down in the water. Join any S'WET™ class, and you will see adults laughing, yelling, and bouncing up and down in the pool! It's instinctual, humans love to move and have fun in water! I decided to sign up for a S'WET™ training to add a new skill to my fitness instructor toolkit. I've been teaching yoga for 20 years at the Stateline Community YMCA in Beloit, WI, and thought it would be fun to get out of my comfort zone and try something completely different. Except, water has always been my comfort zone. From the first kiddie swim class to junior high summers (hello baby-oil tanning), to lap swimming for fitness, I've always seen the pool as a place for fun, wellness, and happy relaxation. As I head into my third decade of teaching group exercise, I'm more interested in offering fitness classes that make people work within their capacity and feel strong, rather than leaving them breathless and groaning. I want to push my students to develop new strength and flexibility but also build life-long habits that are a favorite part of the day and not a dreaded obligation. It's been really intriguing to work through the Turf to Surf material! I like to think about how to move in the water and exploit its properties while creating a unique fitness experience that is effective, inclusive, and addictive. I've just started this aqua-journey but am excited to continue to grow and design my classes using the portal materials and S'WET™ team support. I see so many connections between how I teach yoga to how S'WET™ instruction resonates with students and hooks people with its challenging but sustainable activity. I'm only five months into this new adventure -- laughing, yelling, and bouncing -- but I sense this is going to be for the long haul! -- Brenda Plakans, S'WET™ Instructor & SQUAD Member I am a land instructor (21 years in cycling) at the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County. Two months ago I saw some information posted that we would have a S'WET™ training program called "Turf to Surf." Not interested, I said! I am 68 and do not need another thing to do. Then my director asked if I was going. I thought about it and decided to sign up. Great decision!! And an unbelievable great instructor in Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour. Turf to Surf is innovative, engaging, top-notch with an easy-to-understand format. What will I do with this experience? Point more members in the direction of aquatics classes, including me! The videos are top-notch! So clear, and easy to understand. The training process was flawless. By sending the short clips ahead of time I was able to grasp what we would be doing. Then we saw them again in the classroom, followed by training in the water where we applied these skill sets. Mind you, I am a Turf Instructor and had never taken any aquatics classes. Finally, as a group, we created our own plans for a future class. This training is similar to Muscle Memorization. Repeat, repeat, and repeat. Absolutely a great experience! -- Tom McGrath, Red Bank, NJ I had to share this with you. I had 2 very full classes this am. Of course I did S'WET™ and more than 10 people commented on my class. My energy, my performance, how I explained everything. It was such a wonderful feeling! I have over 25 in each one of these classes at this particular club. All my students love the program. Can’t thank you enough again for all your insight. -- Lyn Lebowitz, S'WET™ Instructor & SQUAD Member

Guest Blogger Carly Fauth I have always loved the water! I think it’s fascinating how a pool, ocean or lake calms me down and invigorates me at the same time. If you are a water lover as well, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Being submerged just feels good for my body, soul and mind. Thinking about my love of water, it kind of amazes me that it took me so long to actually incorporate it into my fitness repertoire. I have been a land exerciser and instructor for many years! I have always loved the way a high intensity workout makes me feel and I love being able to help others achieve that euphoria as well. One summer day, a few years ago I was feeling a bit physically fatigued from my workouts and teaching schedule, especially in my hips and knees, so I decided to take my usual tabata workout to the pool. I adapted some of the exercises I had been planning to do, placed my timer and speaker (because music is EVERYTHING) on the deck and got to work. My 11 year old son happened to be in the pool as well and hopped in for some of the rounds. When I was finished, he said to me, That was actually a really good workout. “Why aren’t you teaching this to people?” I didn’t have an answer for him and in fact, I started asking myself that question for the next month! So a few months later, we got to work creating the SplasHIIT Method. Before my epiphany in the pool that summer, like a lot of other people, my perception of “water fitness classes” was that they were only for old people who couldn’t move that well. I never took the time to actually think about or experience how intense a water workout, beyond swimming my weekly laps, could actually be. And I never even considered water fitness for something I could teach. SILLY ME! Creating and teaching SplasHIIT has changed my life as a fitness instructor. As a result, one of my missions has become to help other land instructors realize the reasons why they should expand their portfolio to the water! VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE Aside from teaching SplasHIIT, I am also a fitness mentor and one of the biggest things I help people with is adding some variety to what it is they are doing to stay in shape. Adding something new to your schedule, breathes new life into it and keeps your mind and body from getting stale. The same goes for when you are a fitness instructor. Chances are, if you are teaching exercise classes, you are probably someone who has a passion for fitness. When you have a passion for something, it’s fun to learn new things! Learning to teach in the water expands your knowledge to new principles of fitness. It’s fun to be able to teach something new. It keeps your mind sharp and gives you a fresh perspective, which will only enhance your skills as an instructor. EXPAND YOUR AUDIENCE As fitness instructors, we all want people to take our classes! There is nothing better than knowing we are helping our students so much that they want to keep coming back. Inspiring people to live healthy lives is why we got into the game in the first place, right? When you decide to start teaching water fitness, you are most likely opening yourself up to an entirely new audience than you have as a land instructor. You have the chance to inspire people you may not have been in contact with before. The best part is, expanding your audience from land to the pool is actually a two way street. If your pool students trust you and enjoy your classes in the water, they may start to seek out your land classes as well. And if your land students start to hear that you are teaching a kick butt class in the pool, you may start to convince some die hard land folks that working out in the water is where it’s at! Being able to strengthen the trust and rapport you have with your students will only build your following as an instructor. The vast majority of our SplasHIIT instructors were land instructors first. They were able to bring a lot of new people to SplasHIIT because of their following. That has really played a huge impact in the way we have been redefining people’s perception of aqua fitness. And the most interesting thing is that most of our instructors now prefer teaching SplasHIIT to anything else they teach on land. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH As we get older, things tend to hurt more. Things that never bothered us before can all of a sudden start causing pain and frustration. As an instructor, we are the first people to tell our students to listen to their bodies and stress the importance of warming up and stretching and rolling and hydrating…the list goes on and on. Well, I have news for you, one of the safest places to work out is the water. It eases pressure on the joints and muscles and has an overall calming effect on the body. You can get that endorphin surge of a high intensity workout without the wear and tear on your body. Teaching a workout like this, will only legitimate that you are truly concerned with the safety and well being of your students. As instructors, teaching movements can be just as hard on the body as actually taking the class as a participant. If you are an instructor who teaches multiple land classes a day, that can add up to a lot of wear and tear on the body. Although our SplasHIIT instructors teach from the deck as opposed to the water, demonstrating the movements is a lot easier on the body than traditional land classes. Many times we use chairs or props to simulate being in the water and we are not moving along with the class for the entire time. Teaching a water class like SplasHIIT allows you to be fully present with your students without sacrificing your body. SPREAD FITNESS JOY The key to seeing results in fitness is consistency. And if you are not enjoying what you are doing, it’s VERY hard to keep going with it. I believe the key to helping others find consistency in fitness is to help them experience the JOY of working out. I’m pretty sure most fitness instructors would agree with me here! But I am here to tell you that there is something uniquely magical about teaching a class involving water. It brings out smiles and memories of being a little kid. It levels the playing field and allows people of varying fitness levels to enjoy the workout together, at their own individual pace. It’s a truly unique and powerful environment to teach in. As a water fitness instructor, you have the opportunity to inspire people to find their fitness joy. Maybe it’s someone who has never had the confidence to exercise in a group or someone who has lost their connection to fitness all together. Maybe it’s someone who’s rehabbing a knee or expecting a child. Maybe it’s an 18 year old college student or a woman dealing with all the fun physical changes during menopause. It could be a grandma or an Ironman. Everyone can do it together and find inspiration from each other. It’s truly a way to include everyone in your classes and inspire your students to find their fitness joy so they can experience all the physical and mental benefits that staying fit offers! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Since running her first road race with her Dad at age 7, Carly has dabbled in pretty much every sport under the sun. She is an AEA Certified Professional, an avid runner, swimmer and cyclist and has completed numerous Sprint and Olympic triathlons as well as two Half Ironman competitions. In 2017, Carly earned her RYT200 yoga certification and went on to achieve additional certifications in Spin, Barre, HIIT, Inferno Hot Pilates and is a Reiki Master. She has been teaching for the past 6 years and in that time has taught roughly 2,500+ classes (she’s been busy)! Aside from the fitness industry, Carly also has a background in advertising, publishing PR and marketing. Carly is married to her best friend, Tim and is mom to 2 very active boys and a black Goldendoodle named Pippa. Things that bring Carly joy include cheering for her kids at sporting events, cooking and eating delicious meals, a good cocktail, Denmark, raspberries, summers at her childhood home in New Jersey and gummy bears. Find out more about Carly's SplasHIIT program online: https://splashiit.com/ Follow her on the following socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splashiit_fit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SplasHIIT As Carly highlights in her blog, the benefits of aquatic fitness are plenty. But still too few land instructors know how to transition properly from land to water. Post-pandemic, we've heard from countless facility managers across the country struggling to find qualified teachers to take over their water fitness programs. That's why the minds behind the S'WET™ program created Turf to Surf - the perfect next step for land instructors interested in learning how to effectively and safely build water workouts for their clients. Here's what Tom, a recent attendee, had to say about the Turf to Surf program: I'm a land instructor (21 years in cycling) at a local YMCA. Two months ago I saw information posted about a S'WET training program called Turf to Surf. "Not interested," I said! I'm 68 and do not need another thing to do...Then my director asked if I was going and I thought about it and signed up. Great decision!! And an unbelievable great instructor in Jenni Lynn. Innovative, engaging, and top-notch with an easy-to-understand format. What will I do with this experience? Point the members in the direction of aquatics classes....including me! We applaud Tom for taking the initiative to try something new, and are thrilled that after two decades training on land, he'll also be cross-training himself and his students in the pool! Book Turf to Surf now at your facility and train your land-based instructors in all the benefits of aquatic fitness! Copyright Disclaimer: We are always open to collaboration and partnerships, but all content, including text, images, videos, and other media on this website and blog, including Guest Blogs, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws and protections. We welcome the use of the information provided for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this website or blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission.

THIS IS THE YEAR! Whether you've never been or will be returning as always, we hope to see your smiling faces at IAFTC 2023 in Orlando, FL this summer! Here's just a few of the many places, workshops and lectures you'll find our S'WET™ SQUAD this year. Sunday, April 30th (9:30am-5:30pm): S'WET™ Instructor Training with Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour The S’WET™ Instructor Training is a full day of intensive education and practical learning designed to revamp and reinvigorate your aquatic fitness teaching skills! The 8-hour day includes interactive lectures, demonstrations, group exercises, and in-pool workouts that will arm you with the ability to incorporate the S’WET™ philosophy and formula for success into your current programming, as well as certify you to teach the in-demand branded workouts we offer at your facility. PLUS...you'll be invited to join the S'WET™ SQUAD, a community of aquatic fitness instructors committed to changing the perception of water workouts to bring more people of all ages and experience levels to the pool while delivering a high intensity, low impact cardio and strength training program! Monday, May 1st (4:15-4:45 pm) Demo: Hydrorevolution Experience with Katy Coffey Katy presents Hydrorevolution Experience! Increase your pool’s profits with a total body water workout line. Learn hands on ideas to attract clients of all ages and abilities. All the tools you need for total body functional fitness, enhanced health and well being. Tuesday, May 2nd (9:30-11:15 am) Lecture: The Squeaky Wheel with Katy Coffey How do you build support for aquatic fitness at your pool without being considered a nuisance? With more than 20 years in aquatic management, in addition to the health & wellness industry, Katy has a unique understanding on how to speak with upper management about investing and supporting the aquatic fitness community. Become a stronger team player, learn how to build a formal request, and move past “Us vs. Them” to get better results. Tuesday, May 2nd (4:00-5:45 pm) Deep Water Drills with Katy Coffey Learn to “aquafy” land-based fitness drills using the properties of water. A collection of different blocks of drills and conditioning work using a variety of aquatic equipment to enhance the results. Each drill is built to target different FITT or HIIT principles and can be used as a stand-alone block of work or structured together for dynamic total body boot camp workout. Discuss buoyancy versus drag equipment, understand EPOC, and learn how to create descriptions to define the class purpose. Wednesday, May 3rd (2:00-3:45 pm) Aqua Depth with Jenni Lynn Patterson Lacour Use base moves and intervals for a dual depth water class. Wall work, pyramids, Tabata, and more. This workout provides an intense challenge regardless of the depth where you are training. Learn to use base moves and multiple interval formats to design an easy-to-follow class structure with progressive options for advancing participants. Discuss effective deck instruction and cueing for multiple depth classes. Thursday, May 4th (9:30-11:15 am) The Power of Ω with Katy Coffey Deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. Thursday, May 4th (4:00-5:45 pm) Hydro Burn with Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour Using the natural drag resistance of water in combination with the buoyancy of hand buoys, this routine will target each muscle group. Work bilaterally and unilaterally to help correct muscle imbalances and improve overall strength through these dynamic movement patterns. Better understand how to choose appropriate buoyancy equipment for your demographics and gain effective cueing skills to enhance your leadership.

by S'WET™ Master Trainer Katy Coffey There is an age old saying, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." This idiom often holds the meaning to say that someone who complains or causes problems is more likely to receive attention or help than someone who stays quiet and does not cause problems. If you ask most aquatic fitness professionals about their relationship with management, often, their answer will lean towards, "There's plenty of room for improvement!" Strain between management and aquatic fitness staff can stem from many common problems: Lack of understanding the aquatic format Feelings of isolation from the rest of the fitness community Inequality in pay compared with "land-based" formats Disagreement on programming priority for pool spacing Communication We may see the mismanagement and it's hard not to take this personally. We are passionate about providing the best experience for our members and want to protect and stand firm for them. Suddenly that "squeaky wheel" resonates with your soul. You might be tempted to fight, complain, nag, or do whatever it takes to squeak and get that grease. I want to encourage you that there is another way! Does it take work? Yes. Based on personal experience, it will all be worth your investment. From the manager's perspective, the wheel is part of a tool that needs to serve a purpose. The wheel may be squeaking, but it's only going to get oil if the owner knows the tool is essential to the team’s purpose. If the wheel is squeaking but the tool is useless, the squeaking only becomes a hindrance and is chucked. Becoming part of the team will open doors of communication and allow the opportunities to make proposals and help create change. Do more. Learn More. A lifeguard’s job is 100% about eyes on the pool and safety. If you are working at a one guard facility, the reality is that it is not the job of the guard to change lanes and clean up equipment. If this is the situation at your pool, chat with your supervisor about the best course of action to handle setup and tear down before and after class. Ask how you can promote the department as a whole. You are part of the team. If there is a big event coming up, mention it to your class. Invite your students to get more involved. You can help build community among your members beyond the 45 minutes of your class. Look for opportunities to cross train. Managers always look for the team member who can be a team player. Maybe that is helping in swim lessons, or maybe getting certified in a senior chair fitness format. Look for the needs of the facility and be willing to see if your talents might fill that hole. Promote other formats and instructors. When directors see you cross-promoting and learning from the rest of the team, they begin to realize you are part of the team and are avoiding an "Us vs Them" mentality. Bottom line...When you take the time to show your manager how essential you are to the team, they are more likely to address your valid squeaks and make changes. Insider Tip: When you do get the little wins, celebrate them publicly ... it will help foster future wins! Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association. Originally appeared in the March / April / May 2023 Issue of AKWA. Where To Find Katy Next: IAFTC 2023 in ORLANDO FL! Katy is thrilled to announce that AquaFIIT has been chosen to present three workshops at the 2023 International Aquatic Fitness & Therapy Conference in Orlando Florida this May! IAFTC is must attend educational event for the Aquatic Fitness Instructor or Therapist. Some of the best instructors in the world will be presenting and educating and instructors will be able to try and be inspired by some of the best equipment in the industry. Monday, 4:15-4:45 pm AMCX: 108 Hydrorevolution Experience Hydrorevolution Experience Hydrorevolution AMCX (Demo) Increase your pool’s profits with a total body water workout line. Learn hands on ideas to attract clients of all ages and abilities. All the tools you need for total body functional fitness, enhanced health and wellbeing. Tuesday, 9:30-11:15 am: Dry Lecture: The Squeaky Wheel How do you build support for aquatic fitness at your pool without being considered a nuisance? With more than 20 years in aquatic management, in addition to the health & wellness industry, Katy has a unique understanding on how to speak with upper management about investing and supporting the aquatic fitness community. Become a stronger team player, learn how to build a formal request, and move past “Us vs. Them” to get better results. Tuesday, 4:00-5:45 pm: Aquatic Workshop: Deep Water Drills “Aquafy” land-based fitness drills using the properties of water. A collection of different blocks of drills and conditioning work using a variety of aquatic equipment to enhance the results. Each drill is built to target different FITT or HIIT principles and can be used as a stand-alone block of work or structured together for dynamic total body boot camp workout. Discuss buoyancy versus drag equipment, understand EPOC, and learn how to create descriptions to define the class purpose. Thursday 9:30-11:15 am: Aquatic Workshop: The Power of Ω Deeper understanding on a multi-purpose tool for all levels. AquaFIIT strength training technique features the Aqua Ω as its key training tool. Alternating between cardio, strength, upper and lower body, this one powerful tool is sure to give you a full body drag workout. Learn how to effectively design and implement an aquatic resistance-training program that maximizes results while remaining on budget. Featuring the @aquaohm Copyright Disclaimer: All content, including text, images, videos, and other media, on this website is protected by copyright law. The content, including Guest Blogs, unless otherwise stated, is owned by Jenni Lynn Fitness and is subject to applicable copyright laws. You are welcome to use the information on this blog for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any content from this blog without prior written permission. If you wish to use any content from this blog for purposes beyond personal use, please contact us at JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com to request permission. We are open to collaboration and partnerships, but all uses must be authorized in writing.

by Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour NEW WORKSHOP ALERT: HYDRO BURN HYDRO BURN was designed to maximize every major muscle group, while keeping proper form. It also focuses on smaller muscles while performing unilateral (single arm) work to challenge overall strength and stability. The program was developed because I received new hand bars at my local club in NYC. Students were thrilled to have new pool toys to play with, but of course, they all decided they needed to grab the largest (most dense) hand bars possible. In their minds, the larger, more dense buoys were the “harder” option and therefore must give you a “better” workout. I strongly suggested that they decrease the resistance and grab a smaller set, but barely anyone switched. I decided to use it as a teaching moment to show them the difference between using their hands only (or webbed gloves) for drag resistance and using buoyancy from the hand bars during the strengthening section of class. I took the class through the same content for a few weeks, first using their hands, then using webbed gloves, and then using the hand bars. Hydro Burn has two strengthening sections: Single Buoy and Double Buoy. This is where I talked them through what muscles were being focused on when they were using their hands, webbed gloves, or buoyant hand bars. During the Single Buoy section, we target different stance variations to challenge stability and core while using only one hand/glove and/or one hand bar. This helped to highlight muscle imbalances and how to correct by changing stance (shoulder width, narrow, split, or single leg) and/or adjusting the amount of buoyancy. Buoyancy not only assists with keeping us afloat but also creates incredible resistance in the water when used correctly. Participants also had an opportunity to ensure they were able to perform a smooth, controlled return to the water’s surface when using buoyant equipment. Within a few months, they all switched to smaller hand bars. They realized they could better maintain proper form during various exercises, plus they had to work hard to control the buoyancy towards the surface of the water, which was maximizing both strengthening and lengthening of the muscles. Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association. Original post appeared in March / April / May 2023 Issue of AKWA. INTERESTED IN BRINGING HYDRO BURN TO YOUR FACILITY? Besides Hydro Burn, check out all the other workshops you can add to build an entire weekend of water workshops! Choose by interest, available CECs or your access to equipment. WHERE YOU CAN FIND HYDRO BURN NEXT: MAY 4TH @ IAFTC IN ORLANDO FL REGISTER HERE: May 4th 4:00pm - Workshop # 437 – Hydro Burn MAY 19TH-21ST, 2023 IN AURORA, IL REGISTRATION COMING SOON! JULY 29TH, 2023 IN LAS VEGAS, NV REGISTER HERE: https://www.jennilynnfitness.com/event-details/las-vegas-nv-workshops