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: 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 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.

by Master Trainer Katy Coffey At the start of my fitness career, let's be honest, I knew NOTHING. I had taken a few 1 day training sessions under companies like ZUMBA, and I was really excited to have passed my Water Fitness Exam with the United States Water Fitness Association. I was teaching ZUMBA Gold 1 day a week with a decent turn out in attendance, and occasionally subbed our "Water Aerobics Class" focusing on joint mobility and mild jogging. Members were happy, numbers were stable and overall I thought I had figured it out. When it comes to the fitness industry we are influenced and educated from the immediate world we see and know. You watch other instructors and formats, you learn from classes that are packed and you take notes on what not to do in classes that are lacking in numbers. In many cases you might even be the rockstar! Your classes are well attended, the members adore you and your boss asks can you teach more! What more would you need to learn? Then I attended my first fitness conference and EVERYTHING changed. It was the Friday 7:30 am session attending SCW Boston Mania, and Jeff Howard was teaching a workshop on Tabata in the water. We were 3 minutes into Round 1 of Tabata, my muscles were screaming for relief. (Thank you Tabata protocol!) My heart was pounding and my face had a MASSIVE smile plastered on it. I had NO IDEA that you could work so hard in the water. That one weekend of workshops and education would go on to show me I had so much to learn, so many ideas to work with and an entire industry to be educated through. Fast Forward to 2022. I am currently an Aquatic Training Specialist through the AEA. I am a Master Trainer with S’WET™ and Aqua Body Strong. I have more than 20 certifications between land and water specialties. And where was I this past November? I was right back at SCW Boston Mania, not as the presenter, but as the student. Why? Because you should never stop learning! Conferences and continuing education should be a non negotiable when it comes to your fitness career. It doesn’t matter how long you have been teaching, the fitness industry is always growing and changing. Conferences will give you the unique opportunity to be in a community of professionals and learn the science behind the method. During training you get to try equipment and decide if you love it or could leave it. You can network with other fit pros and make connections that will build your career. If you walk into these conferences with an open and humble heart, you might even realize things you have been doing incorrectly and see areas of improvement. These conferences also are great for cross training. I love to attend and take a variety of water and land classes, as the theory always makes me a better educator and allows me to bring back knowledge to my students. There are a variety of conferences you might be interested in looking at and attending in your local area. Here’s just a few upcoming conferences where the S’WET™ SQUAD will be this year: 30th Annual Southeast Collegiate Fitness Expo February 17th - 19th, 2023 Charlottesville, VA 22904 Jackie Lebeau is the Senior Director of Fitness and Instruction for the Southeast Collegiate Fitness Expo, the premier university fitness & wellness experience on the east coast. More than 500 attendees from 40 to 50 universities come together each year for a weekend of networking, continuing education, and fun! The 2023 Fitness Expo at UVA marks the 30th year of the event, which began as a 1-day choreography exchange between the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and James Madison University. Join Jenni Lynn for Turf to Surf on Feb 19, 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM. IAFTC (International Aquatic Fitness & Therapy Conference) April 30th – May 5th, 2023 Orlando, FL 32836 If you are looking for aquatic fitness inspiration, IAFTC is the Super Bowl of Conferences! 5 Days in sunny Florida learning from the best of the best in the industry. This year AEA and ATRI combined forces for 1 power house event. You can attend with a focus on Fitness or attend the Therapy Driven conference. You will have the ability to demo and learn about the latest equipment for the water, take workshops in both shallow and deep or even sit in lectures learning about how to speak with your supervisor about support in the industry. Stay tuned for details on where we'll be at IAFTC 2023! DCAC FITCON August 4th – 6, 2023 Reston, VA 20190 For the past 30 years, Fitness Conventions Inc. has been providing continuing education courses to fitness professionals to satisfy their certification requirements and further their education. It is their goal to provide this necessary education in a professional, affordable and service-oriented manner. Their events are great opportunities to promote your fitness related products to the fitness professionals around the world. The attendees include group exercise instructors, personal trainers, fitness directors/managers, aquatic instructors, yoga/pilates instructors, senior fitness teachers, and many more. MUSIC CITY FITCON October 27 – 29, 2023 Nashville, TN 20190 These FITCONs also are great for cross training. I love to attend and take a variety of water and land classes, as the theory always makes me a better educator and allows me to bring back knowledge to my students. These conferences are just a few to speak of. There are tons of opportunities to try other local conferences or even host your own educational weekend with the team like S’WET™. 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.

Guest Blogger: S'WET Instructor Kimberly Nesbeth A few years ago, a gym-based personal trainer told me that one of his client’s core had become notably stronger after incorporating just two days a week of Pool Aerobics with Kim into her schedule. I was intrigued! This client is very active and pushes herself in every aspect. She’s also great at ensuring she nutrifies her body well for her fitness goals. So, I was excited to start doing some research to identify what exactly made her core so much stronger in the pool? First, let's start with the basics. What is your core? If you ask the average person this question they’re very likely to point to their stomach, your stomach or refer to the abdominal muscles. Abdominals: These muscles of the anterolateral walls of the stomach are composed of three flat muscular sheets, the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis. The obliques are located along the sides of the body and play a role in spinal protection and rotation. The traverse abdominis is involved in movement and spine stabilization. These three muscles are supplemented in front on each side of the midline by rectus abdominis. This is the muscle most persons associate with a six-pack. It helps stabilize the internal organs. These stomach muscles are a part of it however, there’s lots more. Your core is the central part of your body. It not only includes your stomach muscles, but also your back muscles, glutes, hip flexors, pelvic floor and diaphragm. Back: The quadratus lumborum is in the lower back. It extends from the lower rib to the top of the pelvis and is associated with back pain, posture, and mobility issues. The erector spinae and multifidus muscles are back muscles which run vertically along the spine and enable flexion, extension, and rotation. Glutes: The glutes are group of three muscles in your backside that influence hip rotation and extension. Pelvic Floor: The pelvic floor houses internal organs and includes connective tissues such as hamstrings, hip flexors and abductors. Together the pelvic floor muscles and tissues are associated with hip stabilization. Diaphragm: The diaphragm contracts and flattens during inhalation and exhalation. The core is the center of our body, and it functions to stabilize the trunk, shoulders, and hips, while the arms and legs move during functional movements. A strong core spares the spine from excessive load and transfer force from the lower body to the upper body and vice versa. Why do we aim for a strong core? If you ask the average person why we work on our core, they will say because they want lean stomach and six-pack abs! Having visible abs means that you have low enough body fat to make the muscles defined. Those who are physically strong may have more pronounced abdominal muscles, however where your body stores most of its fat is largely up to genetics and hormones. Someone with a strong core may not have visible abdominal muscles. But what was mind-blowing to me is that someone with a visible six-pack may not have a strong core. Having a strong, stable core helps us to prevent injuries and allows us to perform at our best. It’s a key factor for your bodily balance, performance during workouts and mobility. Let’s dig deeper into the benefits. Injury Prevention: Most injuries happen during performing everyday tasks like taking out the trash, lifting kids or reaching into the bottom drawer to get out that pot you rarely use. Maintaining a strong core can help you avoid all types of injuries, including muscle strains, joint sprains, disk protrusions, and even fractured or bruised bones. Reduces Back Pain: Having strong core muscles creates a system of support for your spine. According to a recent study by PubMed Central, 50% percent of adults in the United States live with chronic back pain. Although there are many causes of back pain, researchers know that there is a correlation between weakened core muscles, mobility issues, and back pain intensity. Improved Balance and Stability: Having good balance and stability is essential in everyday life. Walking down a set of stairs or getting dressed, a strong, stable core reduces the likelihood of a fall. While aging and managing health conditions such as arthritis, a fall can be detrimental. Regular core strengthening exercises improve balance, independence, and quality of life in older adults. Improved Posture: Many people unconsciously have poor posture from looking down at their phones or computers. This can lead to neck, shoulder, back, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Strengthening the core muscles improves posture by maintaining the spine’s natural curvature and pelvis’ neutral alignment. With a strong core, less strain placed on supporting structures like muscles, ligaments, and disks. Athletic Performance: Your core is the power house of your movements and core strength allows the pelvis, hips, and lower back to work together more smoothly with less rocking and less excess energy expended. This results in improved legs and upper body synchronization, better running form, more power swinging a tennis racket or baseball bat, throwing a punch and the ability to lift more weight. Why is core so much more in the pool? There has been a strong movement away from traditional core exercises – sit-ups, crunches, side bends, etc. New research on the effectiveness and safety of these exercises shows that they may do more harm than good. Health professionals have shifted to more functional exercises to enhance the stability of the hips, torso, and shoulders. The pool is becoming a go-to for core strengthening. Here’s why! In the pool, you engage your core almost straight throughout class. This is because the water moves around your body, trying to move your body and your core muscles work to stabilize and support your torso. This is just core work from static positioning. Core exercises which include movement is movement against resistance, in every direction. With the natural density of water and add the water flows in different directions when you’re doing movements in a pool with other participants, the water resistance can be anywhere between 4 to 42 times greater than air. That is, your core muscles work much harder moving against the water than against air. Being in the water makes you feel weightless, allowing you to move more freely and easily. Participants feel more comfortable fully lengthening then contracting, stabilizing, and rotating to their maximum potential, despite feeling some muscle fatigue because they feel safe and supported in the water. They are also not feeling the pressure of their body weight on their body but still enjoying the core muscle burn. Pool Aerobics with Kim and Core Work The biggest challenge I have with teaching core work is helping my clients learn how to engage their core. When I just started coaching there were a lot of tips about holding your hand on your lower stomach, however most can’t relate. Instead, I vary my verbal cues to keep everyone core aware. A few cues I love are: No hands-on-waists! Use your tummy to try to gain stability. Exhale as you bring the belly button to the spine. Try to make an SSSSSSS sound while you brace your tummy for a punch! I encourage them to try practicing these things while sitting in traffic, standing in the line at the bank or even during their supermarket shopping. My group class participants have quite a laugh when they see each other running errands or at an event and remind each other to engage their core. I also remind my participants about the importance of nutrition. In Jamaica the fitness community is pretty knowledgeable on the building blocks of muscles however the average Jamaican does not recognise that eating right is an essential part of building a core that is healthy and strong. I encourage them to discuss their goals with a nutritionist and implement the advice received as best as they can. A stable core is important for preventing injuries and for enhancing performance in sports and everyday life. Getting your core work done in the pool is very effective, safe and a tonne of fun. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Nesbeth is an aquatic exercise instructor certified with the Aquatic Exercise Association, a S'WET™ Instructor, Aqua Zumba® Instructor and Certified Lifeguard. She is also the founder of Pool Aerobics with Kim, a great low or no impact exercise option. The intensity is easily modified to your ability while achieving your goals. Classes focus on aerobic endurance, resistance and strength training. Exercising in water also improves balance and gait, mobilizes joints and stretches muscles in an enjoyable atmosphere with music. Find out more about Kim's services and specialties on her website: www.poolaerobicsja.com Follow her on the following socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poolaerobics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoolAerobics/ 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 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.

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!

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

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 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

by Tawny (Palovchik) Cauthon A year ago, I collapsed in my bathrobe and cried. Tears of relief, tears of joy, tears of every possible emotion I wasn’t allowed to express in my corporate job of 17 years. Was I crazy? I’d saved and prepared for this moment for years. But who walks away from investment banking income? What if the job wasn’t making me miserable...but what if truly, deep down, I was destined to be miserable regardless, and I’d just walked away from it all? I was excited and simultaneously terrified. I didn’t know what would come next, but I knew I was fundamentally broken inside. My soul was crushed. I forgot how to smile and I got pissed off when people told me to. I dreaded each day. Enough…you get the picture. So I started working out. I’d always been health conscious and active, but now I had the time to do it right. If I tired the body, I could tire my newly restless mind. If I fatigued the muscles, I didn’t feel guilty watching all 15 seasons of ER on the couch afterwards (I really did…Love that show!) Soon thereafter, one of the trainers I was working with said, “Hey, you’re here every day. Your form is great. Why don’t you work here?” Me, step back onto the stage? Did I really want to be the center of attention? Do I want people staring at my body? You know what, yes, I am good at this. I can do this. So I did. And so began the certifications. I devoured each lesson. I love learning. I got giddy studying the fundamentals of the body, movement, and health. Then, just when I started to get the hang of land instruction, aquatic fitness emerged and changed my perspective. As a self-proclaimed sun goddess, I often preferred to lie by the pool instead of immerse myself in it. But once I really gave water a chance, there was no turning back. My body awakens and rejuvenates in the water. I feel alive and free! Many of you reading this are aquatic fitness instructors, so I don’t have to convince you. You’re wondering what took me so long? So am I. Fast forward a year and I’ve never been happier. I found myself again. I AM fun. I AM full of life. I found the right fit. When I wake up in the middle of the night now, I get excited thinking about my upcoming classes. I smile all the time now and without anybody telling me to. I even put smiley faces in emails ☺. Teaching at the pool fills me with joy as each day feels like I’m playing hooky or on summer vacation. Pushing and inspiring others has been even more rewarding than I expected. Watching them get into the water and feel that jolt of electricity is a beautiful thing. I love everything S’WET™ represents and am proud to be a member of the S’WET™ SQUAD. I love being a face that helps change the perception of aquatic fitness. Water isn’t just for those injured or past a certain age. Water is energy. Water is life. Water works the body in ways land just can’t. Water kicks my a** and I love it! No more floating around on noodles in class. In my S’WET™ Boot Camp class, we work hard, we get our hair wet, we make white water, and we have fun. Join us. Let’s keep this movement going. Let’s S’WET™! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tawny (Palovchik) Cauthon is an ACE and AEA certified land and aquatic fitness instructor at The Claremont Club in Claremont, CA. In addition to S’WET™ Boot Camp, Tawny also teaches Barre, Bosu, Bodyshop and and Balance classes. Tawny’s fitness journey started after nearly two decades in Finance working as a Corporate and Investment Banker for a large international bank in downtown Los Angeles. She lives in La Verne, CA with her husband, Tyler, and two Labradors - also water enthusiasts! Contact Tawny: On LinkedIn Follow her on JLF: My S'WET Profile Tawny took our Instructor Training this past April. Two months later she's already making waves with creative ideas like her printed move reminder signs to help with cuing large crowds, using circuit stations and encourage proper form. We absolutely love this idea and with her permission shared examples below: And here's what she shared with us post-certification: "I subbed the S’WET™ Master Class today. They loved it! Got amazing feedback and even attracted some younger members of the club into the pool for the first time. Word of mouth has spread and we had 24 today. Plus my boot camp is also already wait listed for tomorrow too. One woman told me it’s the hardest she’s ever worked in the water and she loved every minute!" -- Tawny To join Tawny and the rest of our incredible S'WET™ SQUAD to help change the perception of aquatic fitness, check out our upcoming workshop weekends:

Since launching the training in June 2021, over 100 aquatic fitness professionals from around the world have taken the plunge and became the first wave of certified, licensed S'WET™ Instructors! They come from all different backgrounds, ages, genders and experience levels, but are united by their passion to change the perception of aquatic fitness, and make their students S'WET™! But what exactly does that mean for you? We've compiled some F.A.Q.'s to help clarify our mission. Q: What exactly is S'WET™? A: It starts with a philosophy: Water is for everyone, and there's room in the pool for all of us! Technically speaking and officially trademarked as a licensed format, S'WET™ stands for Structured Water Exercise Training. It's our approach to building effective, high-intensity, low-impact workouts for just about any population, without any choreography or routines to master. It's learning to combine HIIT, advanced cardio, plyometrics, strength training and the science behind the principles of water to create a freestyle flow to your aqua fitness teaching. All you need are STRUCTURED building blocks of WATER EXERCISES used to TRAIN the body, mind and in some cases, yes, the soul! Q: What is the S'WET™ Instructor Training? A: It's a fun-filled 8-hour in-person training filled with intensive education and practical learning designed to revamp and reinvigorate your aquatic fitness teaching skills! Interactive lectures, demonstrations, group exercises and in-pool workouts will arm you with the ability to incorporate the S’WET™ philosophy and formula for success into your current programming, and certify you to teach the branded workouts we offer at your facility. Q: How many CEC's are available? A: The Instructor Training offers the following: AEA (7.0), AFAA (7.0), NASM (0.7), ACE: (0.8). Q: How long does my S’WET™ license/certificate remain active? A: First, it's important to note that the license is assigned to you, the instructor, not your facility. So you can take your training anywhere you go. Your certificate offers a one-year renewable license to teach S’WET™ and at the end of your first year, you will be given the option to renew by attending another S'WET™-branded instructor training, repeating the original program or paying a flat annual renewal fee. Or you can join the S’WET™ SQUAD network, and get an on-going license plus access to so much more. Q: What is the S’WET™ SQUAD network? A: Digital access to our subscription-based S’WET™ SQUAD instructor network which allows subscribers to stream video and audio workouts, review detailed instructional guides and presentations, as well as access to exclusive members-only content. Receive updated monthly videos included with SQUAD membership to keep your workouts fresh! Attend Virtual Meetings with Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour and the SQUAD team to continue your education and provide additional coaching techniques and assistance... ...and so much more you'll have to attend to find out! Q: What do our SQUAD members say about their experience?

Guest Blogger: Dom Gili Considering the many benefits that water workouts offer – including challenging cardio and strength training with increased range of movement in a reduced impact environment – it’s no surprise that Aquatic Fitness classes continue to grow in popularity. Beyond the physical benefits of aquatic exercise, the mental, social, and emotional benefits are also significant. There is a vulnerability about this unique breed of water warriors. The bond between them is strong, and for some it lasts a lifetime. After 30 years of teaching Aquatic Fitness, it is still a privilege to be central to that connection. So why then is one of the most challenging, effective, and inclusive exercise programs available still the most underappreciated and under-resourced? ANSWER – Because very few pool owners and group fitness managers have ever taught or participated in an Aquatic Fitness class or understand the value proposition a successful program offers. AquaFitnessOnline.com founder Dom Gili, sat down to chat with several Pool Managers that do understand the value of a thriving Aquatic Exercise Program and shares some tips to help grow Aquatic Exercise programs. Diversify your Aquatic Fitness Program Some of the most successful aquatic exercise programs are the ones that target specific members, to offer a more tailored workout experience. These sometimes reflect the level of intensity of the water workout, the target audience, the training outcomes of the class or even the use of specific equipment. A club in the north-west of Sydney offers a diverse aqua class schedule with an incredible 46 regular aqua exercise classes throughout the week. The quick guide on the weekly schedule explains the goals and benefits for class such as: Aqua Power - fitness, fat burn, toning, core training Aqua Fit - fat burn, toning, core training Aqua Relax - toning, flexibility, mobility. Jane-Maree Evans, the club’s Fitness Coordinator says, “Our class retention rates are now higher due to the introduction of specific class types and intensifies. It ensures that members get the water workout that best suits their needs. Prior to this schedule update we had people of different fitness levels attending the same class format and beginner 85yo participants were getting washed away by the white-water waves created by a fit 40yo keen to work hard in the pool.” Invest in Your Biggest Asset: Instructors A wise move for fitness clubs and aquatic centers is to make themselves a preferred employer. This can be achieved by offering safe work conditions, competitive pay rates, and ongoing education opportunities. With the advent of online education, there are now more learning opportunities than ever before. Hosted by some of the world’s leading Aquatic Exercise experts these options include: virtual conferences live workshops and masterclasses online subscription sites with workout video resources and printable class plans online mentoring groups As Senior Learning and Development Officer and Group Fitness Coordinator, Julie Manning understands the importance of ongoing education and instructor development. “We recently conducted an in-house training day with our ten instructors, and not only was it a chance for all to review and share skills and knowledge, but it also gave us the opportunity to focus on team building. A new initiative for us is that we can now rely on online training opportunities via organizations like S’WET and AquaFitnessOnline.com to tailor educational resources to our training needs. Our experience over the years is that happy and valued instructors create enjoyable workout experiences for our members, and this leads to high staff retention and low training and staff acquisition costs.” Invest in New Equipment Programs In the last ten years the introduction of innovative programs and equipment for aquatic exercise classes has flooded the market. The list of new programs now available include: Aqua Pole Aqua Boxing Aqua Step Aqua Jump (mini tramps) Aqua Spin Aqua Resistance hand weights and barbells Donna Wilmott, Aqua Instructor/Coordinator at Parafield Gardens Swim Centre in Adelaide, was one of the first centers in Australia to invest in Acquapole equipment. Donna states “our goal has always been to change the perception most people have of Aquatic Fitness classes. Having Acquapole equipment programs such as Boxing, Circuit Fusion, Step and Jump in our facility has brought an entirely new audience to our aqua classes. And although the equipment are large ticket items, it only takes six months to get a return on our investment. It has been a complete game-changer for us.” Identify New Talent within Your Team A shortage of qualified instructors is causing some pool owners and group fitness managers to develop innovative ways to recruit instructors. Some have had success identifying people within their organization with the suitable skills and passion who they can train as aquatic exercise instructors, including: - land-based group exercise instructors - swim teachers - identifying certain club members About the Author: Dominic Gili is an Aquatic Fitness Specialist from Sydney Australia with a reputation for innovative, engaging, and challenging water workouts. Dom is founder of AquaFitnessOnline.com - a website that offers a variety workout videos and training methods to keep instructors and clients moving and inspired. Find Dom on Social Media: IG - @AquaFitnessOnline FB - Aqua Fitness Online Website - https://aquafitnessonline.com/

Another year has gone by, and with it, a chance to fall in love with some brand new items we've added to our list of Favorite Things! Whether you're looking for some fresh ideas for new equipment, branded swimwear, much-needed accessories or a brand new microphone, these are the items the S'WET SQUAD loved using this year! Bietrun Wireless Microphone Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.facebook.com/BietrunOfficial or https://www.instagram.com/bietrunofficial/ The Body Buoy Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.facebook.com/thebodybuoy or https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuoy/ HydroRevolution Resistance Bands Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.facebook.com/HydroRevolutionFitness or https://www.instagram.com/hydrorevolution_fitness/ Sprint Aquatics Noodle Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.facebook.com/sprintaquatics or https://www.instagram.com/sprintaquatics TriSwim Shampoo Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.facebook.com/sbrsportsinc or https://www.instagram.com/sbrsportsusa Yes! Fitness Music Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/yesfitnessmusic/ or https://www.facebook.com/yesfitnessmusic SwimandSweat's Aquamore Shoes Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/swimandsweat or https://www.facebook.com/SwimAndSweat Aqua Ohm Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/aquaohm or https://www.facebook.com/aqua.ohm PoolFit Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/poolfittv or https://www.facebook.com/PoolFit.TV Dolfin Custom Swimwear Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/dolfinswimwear or https://www.facebook.com/DolfinSwimwear Aqua Combat Gloves Why We Love It: Where to Get It: https://www.instagram.com/aqua_body_strong or https://www.facebook.com/AquaBodyStrong Continuing Education via Conferences! Why We Love It:

by A.J. Meyers It's time to have some tough conversations. I'll go first. If there's a rubber ball at the end of a string that claims to help me do a better push-up, I own it. Used it once and paid $39.95 for the pleasure. If you're the creator of this gadget, you're welcome. But everyone else should probably read on... I'm admittedly a sucker for what I call "tools of the trade," in particular from the fitness realm. Both land and water, if there's ever an "As Seen On Instagram" channel, I could curate it entirely from the cluttered shelves in the back of my closet. As a fan-boy for any new product to incorporate into a workout, from plastic to elastic and everything in between, chances are, at one time or another, I had yours at my disposal. Which is exactly what I did. I got rid of it. But any guesses why it sat there unused collecting dust for so long? Because you sold it to me without any education on how to use it. And here's the worst part...I'm not alone. "The problem we hear all the time from clients and in group forums online is their facility finally took that leap of faith and invested in the purchase of all this new equipment. But no one on staff knows how to properly use it. And so it just takes up space, until the very end of the year when they have to address the negative return on the investment and find themselves posting "...or Best Offer" sales ads on Facebook Marketplace." These are your Facility Directors, Gym Owners and Small Group Fitness Instructors who found a way to scrape up some cash to invest in improving their students lives, and hopefully their bottom lines in the process. But now they're feeling stuck. So if you are the company behind the better push-up product I referenced earlier, you should know that many of your customers are complaining about the same thing. And their plan is just to unload it all. You may have built it. Some may have bought it. But word on the street is getting out, and they're not being too quiet about their frustration. The Field of Dreams Syndrome There are only so many ways to re-invent the treadmill. Peloton did a pretty solid job with it at the start of the pandemic. They seized on the sudden demand for at-home workouts and sales surged by nearly 175%. But the other thing they got right was they didn't just provide you with a piece of machinery, they also offered a ton of valuable, well-made programming to go with it. Literally, a trainer at your fingertips. Every product, every piece of equipment, tool or technique deserves to be backed by a well-thought out, easy to follow program, at the very least, a guide or manual. Inventors, vendors and product pushers heed the call: invest in your brand and build the proper training. For the rest of you, especially those despondent directors, owners and instructors, before you let go of all those valuable, untapped resources at your fingertips...first consider partnering with a professional in your network who can help you with proper programming. And let me be clear, that does not mean find a Tik Tok influencer to dance around with your device. There are numerous trainers, accreditation programs and fitness professionals with the proper education, experience and exposure to help build customized workouts and training programs for you, with whatever equipment, products or gear you've got access to. When it comes to aquatic fitness, I happen to know 3 of the best! But before you clean out your closets to try and cut your losses, make the ask of those in the know. And if you're on the fence about to make that next big purchase and are having any doubts, stop and ask customer support what type of training, programming and education is coming with your order! If the answer is none, you're better off using that money to pay professionals to help you with what you already have! Disclaimer: Jenni Lynn Fitness has many wonderful affiliate relationships with varying vendors, including equipment and product sellers. The views expressed in this article are those of the author only, and are not directed towards or representative of any particular company or industry. But seriously, if you sold me the piece of twine with a lacrosse ball attached to it for $40, we both should be ashamed of ourselves.