by Gia Lucy “I can get a deal on this parachute. It’s only got a two-star safety rating, but it's cheap,” said the skydiver, NEVER! Most everyone can agree that a person’s single most valuable asset is their health. Even skydivers, the ultimate risk-takers, know not to skimp when it comes to quality equipment. Their life depends on it. Gyms and aquatic centers have long been a haven for people wanting to get healthy and stay healthy. They are a social hub and a small piece of paradise, dedicated to helping restore, build and protect health. Many offer a whole host of water fitness activities from traditional aqua aerobics to the newest rage in Aqua Cycling and Aqua Trampoline. And when members arrive it's clear to them that they have arrived someplace special. As health clubs, gyms, aquatic centers, and fitness instructors, we are stewards of our member's health, and as such, have a responsibility and a privilege to protect them. Successful aquatic centers make it their mission to provide their members with high-quality, physical fitness activities while creating a safe and inclusive environment, one that will bring them back day after day and year after year. This is where investing in quality fitness equipment and certification training is imperative. Read below to learn why it is safer, lasts longer, and is by far the smartest purchase you can make. SAFETY The old adage, you get what you pay for, is especially poignant when it comes to fitness equipment. The price usually equals that of its quality. Lower-priced equipment needs to cut corners at the manufacturing level in order to offer the piece of equipment for less money, thus compromising the quality and oftentimes the safety of the people training on the equipment. Take, for example, the Aqua Body Strong™ Water Fitness Board. It’s certainly not the most expensive board on the market but it is the best quality board on the market. AQUA BODY STRONG™ WATER FITNESS BOARDS VS OTHER BRANDS AQUA BODY STRONG™ Four points of tethering to create a very sturdy anchoring system. The deck is made of a textured EVA material to prevent slipping. Made with a double layer of PVC on the top and bottom of the board as well as on all four sides to prevent the board from bowing in the middle. Comes with a Nationally Recognized Certification Training Program OTHER BRANDS Two points of tethering leave the boards very wobbly and unsafe. The deck is made of a smooth EVA material that when wet becomes slippery. Made with a single layer of PVC on the top and bottom of the board and a double layer only on the sides to cut material costs. Bows in the middle. No certification training is available. DURABILITY & LONGEVITY With the wide range of water fitness equipment available in the market today, it's easy to become overwhelmed. How do you determine which brand is best? Aren't they all the same? You'll be surprised to learn that the answer is a resounding "NO!" Especially when it comes to Aquatic Bicycles. Aquatic Spin Bikes entered the pools a few years back and their popularity as a group fitness class is growing exponentially. But, you should be aware that Aquatic Bicycles brands are similar to car brands; there are some that perform like Volkswagens and others that perform like Mercedes. The temptation is to succumb to purchasing aqua cycles that are shiny and inexpensive. However, you should never sacrifice equipment quality just to save a few bucks. In the long run, it will cost you more in repairs and you will eventually have to replace the equipment. AQQUATIX BPM AQUA CYCLE VS OTHER BRANDS AQQUATIX Resistance and intensity are adjusted mechanically with the turn of a knob. The frame is engineered so it is perfectly balanced between the front and rear axle creating solid stability. The bike doesn’t shake when in use. Reinforced base and four suction cups ensure aqua bicycle adheres to pool floor. The 74-degree saddle-handlebar angle ensures the best ergonomic position during exercise. Handlebars and seat are adjustable OTHER BRANDS Natural acceleration resistance. Resistance is increased or decreased by the participant changing the speed of pedaling. There are no means of mechanically adjusting resistance. The frame is unbalanced and feels wobbly in the water. Two suction cups save on costs Handlebars and seat are adjustable A REPUTABLE COMPANY WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DIRECT COMPANY CONTACTS Nowadays, with the convenience of shopping in the comfort of your own workspace, it’s easy to get lured onto Amazon, or even a generic online fitness equipment store to purchase fitness equipment. Most of the time the equipment is of low quality and when something breaks or if you have a question as to how it works, it’s impossible to find a solution. Just last week, I had a potential customer call me up about an aqua trampoline she saw on an online website. She had spinal stenosis and wanted to use it for therapy in her above-ground swimming pool that was 3.5 feet deep. She was just about to buy it but had questions. Because there was no direct company contact she called me instead, with the intention of getting her questions answered and then purchasing the cheaper aqua trampoline. Thankfully, she had the good sense to call. I explained to her that to safely exercise on the aqua trampoline you need to exercise in armpit deep water. With her pool only being 3 feet deep and the trampoline legs being 8 inches tall, she would be exercising with the water level at her mid-thighs, (She was 5’8” tall). The top half of her body would be moving faster than the lower part of her body making exercising unsafe, especially with her medical condition. When it comes to purchasing aquatic fitness equipment, using a reputable company with a working scientific knowledge of the equipment and exercises is priceless. TRAINING If you are like many aquatic directors who see your pool as an opportunity to increase revenue, customer retention, and member usage through fun and challenging group fitness classes, and want to build a program whose very name evokes a sense of health and excitement you need to read this. Only purchase aquatic fitness equipment from global leaders who have a Nationally Recognized Certification Training Program. Time and time again I receive phone calls from aquatic directors who have purchased off-brand fitness equipment and once they receive it have no idea how to use it, let alone teach others to use it. Their brand new equipment sits on deck or in a storage closet for years and their money has been wasted. At Aqua Body Strong™, our goal is to build the health and well-being of people across the world. We want them to use our products. It’s as much of a passion for us as it is a business. We take pride in the quality of our equipment and our world-class certification training courses that are focused on safety, skill development, coaching, and execution. If you are in the fitness industry, I’m sure you share our same passion. Don’t settle for anything less! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gia Lucy is an EAA international fitness trainer, group fitness instructor, author, and founder of Aqua Body Strong™. As a former competitive gymnast and coach, Gia is enamored with movement, balance, and strength. She holds a B.S. in Biology from CSU, Fullerton, owned and operated a 1500-member health club in San Clemente, California, owns and operates Hanalei Gymnastics in Kauai, and shares her passion for fitness by teaching Aqua Body Strong™ signature classes, dance, and, water fitness around the world. Contact Gia: gia@aquabodystrong.com

by Gordon King aka "Splash Gordon" I am my father’s son. I’m a certified aquatic exercise instructor, and I’m a guy. I’m also technically disabled, although it goes over better when I tell people that I have a disorder. I’m partially paralyzed and live with a rare autoimmune condition, which caused swelling in my spinal cord and damage to the nervous system. I have been athletic my entire life and was raised in an athletic family. My father was a star athlete in West Virginia and was a walk on for the college basketball team, meaning he didn’t have a scholarship to pay for his education, and he was an exceptional guard. My Dad led the nation in scoring both his junior and senior year. When he graduated, he was drafted into professional basketball for the Syracuse Nationals and won the 1955 NBA championship with a last minute shot. He went on to become a basketball coach, first for West Virginia University where he coached Jerry West, and later at Purdue University, where he was named Athletic Director after his second season there and spent the remaining 40 years there before he retired. I played sports all through my educational years. Back then, everything was sponsored by the schools, whether it be junior high, high school or college. I wasn’t exceptional like my father but I enjoyed it nonetheless. After I graduated from Purdue University I moved to Los Angeles, California and spent the next 34 years in the entertainment industry as a theatrical agent and personal manager for actors. I decided to semi retire and moved to Palm Springs six years ago. In June of 2017, I was diagnosed with Cervical Transverse Myelitis. It has been hard to come to terms with my disorder and it’s extremely painful. Every morning when I wake up and open my eyes, I am instantly reminded that I have this disorder. It takes me at least 10 minutes to get out of bed and warmed up enough to walk my dog, Bruce Springsteen. I have been doing physical therapy in the water ever since the day I left the hospital. I finally decided in the summer of 2020 to stop feeling sorry for myself and turn lemons into lemonade. In the middle of Covid-19’s quarantine, I got my certification, and my first job came through the recommendation from the Aquatic Exercise Association. I was hired for a 3-week period by a group of ladies who were visiting Palm Springs for three weeks of wellness and I taught them class every morning for 90 minutes. That one opportunity has blossomed and I now teach at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, ran by the YMCA, which is one of the best facilities around and a very prestigious and sought after position. I also teach at three other country club communities. I absolutely love what I do. I became certified as an instructor because I wanted to help people feel better about themselves and I wanted to share my passion and knowledge with others. And this has been the most rewarding experience for me ever. It motivates me to do more and give my students and clients the best of what I can offer. I have received so much positive feedback from students who have improved their skills and reduced their pain level. That’s the best part of it for me. It’s been a goal of mine to focus on the male population and get them more involved. There’s a perception that water workouts are for the older female baby boomers. Men don’t think it’s going to be a challenging or effective workout for them. Well, if that’s the case, then they haven’t been to one of my classes. My workout programs are heavily based in the music, and the beats and tempo. I think music helps keep us entertained and uniformed with our movements. Since starting at PDAC (Palm Desert Aquatic Center) in September of 2021, we have seen a 15 percent increase in male attendance. When I started at PDAC I would have one or maybe two men in my class and now it’s anywhere from 7 to 10 men in a class of 40 people. The numbers are getting stronger and men are hearing the call and seeing the results. My clients love the Tabata classes. It’s hard for me to get them to do anything else. And that’s okay. I use the 20/10 work to rest ratio with HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). It’s a great way to engage with your clients. What most people don't know (or accept) is that while aquatic fitness provides for good cardiopulmonary exercise, it can also build muscle strength. Because the head, arms and legs are doing different things, it can also increase coordination, plus the water's buoyancy prevents accidents from falling, while the resistance amplifies the effort and effect of movement. There was a trend starting back in 2016 of more male instructors and class participants due to the baby boomers. And male instructors, who developed programs designed by men for men. A standout in this area and someone who is a mentor to me is Chris LeCour and his "Dude’s Move" series, along with Mark Grevelding of Fitmotivation. The two have very different styles of instructing, proving that there’s room for everyone in the water. Chris has been one guy who specifically designed exercises for men. These are the most challenging moves and maneuvers that take time to learn and master. I think it helps to attract more men when there’s a male instructor and I focus on using more male-centric terms, like "Turbocharged Tabata" or the "Take No Prisoners Tabata." It’s all in good fun, but it does seem to make a difference. After all, perception is everything. I’m very fortunate to have the position of teaching "water workouts." That’s another male-centric term, and it’s my hope that more and more men, and young people join the millions of people who have improved the ADL’s (activities of daily living) and enjoy better health and lifestyles for many more years to come. Discover the magic of the water. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gordon Scott King is owner of Splash Gordon's Water Workouts in Palm Springs, CA, an AEA certified instructor and aquatic fitness enthusiast. He currently teaches at The Palm Desert Aquatic Center, as well as at several other country club communities. He is loved and supported by his partner Ken Clark and his fluffy 7-year-old Maltese Shih Tzu, Bruce Springsteen. Contact Splash Gordon: On Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingegroup On Instagram: www.instagram.com/GKing60 By Email: iamgordonking@gmail.com

Guest Blogger: Louis van Amstel My name is Louis van Amstel, creator of LaBlast Splash Aqua Fitness. My company has both land and pool formats based on Ballroom partner-free dancing. No surprise here when I tell you I have been a ballroom dancer since the age of 10 and have done ten seasons on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ as a pro dancer. However, I am not here to talk about me, but rather about the aqua and dance fitness industries, and how we can come out of this pandemic better and stronger. For one, I truly believe when working together as aquatic fitness professionals or brands the entire industry benefits. Learning with and from each other is key for the overall success of aqua fitness and the fitness industry as a whole. All brands can live next to one another and compliment each other on the weekly pool/gym schedule. Secondly, I believe in order for the aquatic fitness industry to grow and welcome a wider, more diverse audience we need to take a look inside first. As group-X instructors, we must ask ourselves, do we really have the know-how and continued education to provide a high quality pool class? Do we actually use what we have learned in our certifications? In my years of presenting aqua sessions at conventions nationwide I have noticed that very few actually use the proper aquatic principles. Are you one of them? If so, I am sorry to say, you are part of the problem. Many land group-X instructors won’t teach aqua, some because of the stigma that "aquatic fitness is not really a workout" or is mostly "for old people." The other reason for land instructors not teaching aqua fitness is because only two brands in the world cross over from land to the pool within their own company. This means only these two companies have built a bridge between land and aqua fitness. I am proud to say that LaBlast Fitness is one of the two companies. Zumba is the other, and we are both dance fitness brands. It is proven through surveys that of all formats offered, most of the members of gyms and community centers love dance fitness, whether on land or in the pool. There is no surprise why. Let me explain and take you back. Growing up as a social dancer first before becoming a dance competitor, I realized early on how dance is therapeutic and includes the whole body: physically, mentally, and emotionally. You learn the skill and technique mentally, you physically execute, and emotionally experience the movement. When I joined the fitness industry with LaBlast Fitness in 2012, this became my company’s motto. Move your body, your whole body, and nothing but your body, so help you…… you can fill in the last word! The fact that dance fitness on land or in the pool is more focused on emotional health, is in my opinion, the very reason why dance fitness is the heartbeat of fitness facilities and should be treasured and protected. The decision makers who frown upon land or aqua fitness need to be convinced by you about how important dance fitness truly is. Not only with conversations, but more so with the delivery of an amazing class that members just can’t stop talking about to management. It is the emotional self we work out most while doing dance fitness, which even most group-X instructors don’t know or know how to explain. Many just feel good during their dance fitness classes, but it is time to understand consciously that when members get involved with the music and jump into the emotions of the dances, they affect the results of the physical self more than just doing it physically. Think about this: The more you feel good about yourself, the more you are willing to push your physical self. Not the other way around. What can you do to convince your decision maker to add more aqua classes for all members? I will say it again, it starts with you. Create workouts with variations for every fitness ability and age. Be able to lead by example, and let the members leave your class exhausted, yet begging you for more. This can all happen with a great music playlist, using your fitness principles, and let’s not forget: An intense workout can still be great fun! If you are a dance fitness instructor you are in the right place within the fitness industry and if you join forces with the right people in your community who believe in the future of dance fitness on land in the pool, you are representing the most important part of the fitness facilities. A great dance fitness world would be when LaBlast, Zumba, and other dance fitness instructors would actually work together. There WILL be enough work and opportunities for well qualified group-X instructors. Diversity is key and the more formats there are, the more choices the members have. We are all in this together. Let’s do this! ABOUT THE WRITER: Louis van Amstel Contact Louis Online @louisvanamstel @officiallablast https://www.facebook.com/LaBlastFitness https://www.facebook.com/louisvanamstel NEW CITIES ADDED EVERY MONTH! Join the S'WET SQUAD by becoming a licensed S'WET instructor.

by Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour Since my high school swim team days, my aquatic swimwear has always been your typical one piece suit that usually rides up and becomes a thong by the time I complete my heat. Very uncomfortable to say the least. Cut to 10 years later, when I am discovering the amazing world of vertical aquatic fitness and again, getting wedgies during class. UGH! Why couldn’t there be a comfortable outfit just for the water?! That’s when I discovered Dolfin Swimwear. Why do I prefer this aqua wear over your general swimsuit? Here Are 5 Reasons Jenni Loves Dolfin Swimwear for Her Aquatic Workouts: 1) While swimming we want to create less drag resistance on our body to become more streamlined, but in aquatic fitness, more drag resistance means more muscle contractions, so wearing water shorts or leggings with a water tank top became my ideal water workout wear to make some waves and get extra resistance for my legs and core. 2) No more wedgies! Not only do my water shorts/leggings and tank top not ride up, they help support and help keep “things” secure and hold everything in place (and I mean everything!) no matter how much jumping you’re doing. 3) How many times have you seen straight THROUGH the back of someone’s suit?! Gross! Not with Dolfin swimwear. Their materials are made to withstand the test of chlorine and hold up through hundreds of classes. 4) Speaking of, the Dolfin materials and cut is fantastic! Even if you prefer a one piece suit or tankini, the cut of the suit is comfortable and designed for ALL body types. 5) Selection & Style! I can say I’m a true New Yorker now by how much black clothing I own, but in the pool I love to see some color in my swimwear. Dolfin has a fantastic selection of different designs and styles to suit all types of bodies and activities. Save 20% OFF your next order at Dolfin Swimwear by using our affiliate code at checkout: SWET2022

by Katy Coffey If you ask the majority of aquatic fitness professionals about their relationship with management, more often than not, their answer will lean towards ... "there's plenty of room for improvement!" As we have discussed in blog posts of the past, 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 Part of our passion here at S’WET™ is to change the perception of aquatic fitness, but also focus on education and collaboration for both the instructor and the facilities. As we start the new year I am going to set up a challenge for the aquatic fitness professional who might feel frustrated with their relationship to management. I have been in aquatics and recreation management for over 15 years. Today’s blog will be reflecting from that lens as well as polling some of my former aquatics director colleagues. I challenge you to take a moment to reset your past experiences with your staff and management, and see if there are things that can help eliminate the "Us vs Them" mentality. Do more. Learn More. A lifeguard’s job is 100% about eyes on the pool and safety. If you are working at a 1 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. Learn how to loosen and tighten lane lines yourself, and have clear directions from your manager about who is getting paid for that time. When it comes to aquatic’s managers, don’t assume anything. Managers have to deal with Board of Health Compliance, chemical imbalances, programming with lessons and teams, lane usage, member retention, budget, and most importantly, safety for lifeguards and staff recruitment. It is an impossible job. If your equipment is dry rotting, breaking or is no longer sufficient, make sure you communicate the needs to your manager. Document in an email the request, and follow up as needed. This way there is a clear communication chain that can help support your case. Chat with your manager about what are the budget expectations on other programming. What are they expected to bring in with lessons, swim team and other programming? Why is this important? These paid programs are often what keeps the pool from losing money. Also the temperature of the pool will directly reflect the needs of the greatest programming draw. If your pool has a massive competitive clientele, the temperature of the pool will be in the low 80s. Meaning a stretch and flex class might be frozen! Understanding the needs of the pool and how the temperature will reflect, may help you program your class better. A quality S’WET™ class (no matter the skill level) will warm up in the first 5 minutes in a cold pool and the class will appreciate the cooler water for it. Learn your state's protocol on aquatic management. Every state has different expectations about pool spacing, chemicals and depth. I encourage all instructors to read up on their local city and state regulations in better understanding your pool’s compliance. Ask how you can promote the department as a whole! You are part of the aquatic team! If there is a big flick and float event coming up, mention it to your class. Many of your participants might have children or grandchildren who might like to attend. You can help build community among your members beyond the 55 minutes of your class. The greatest challenge I give you is to remember that it is not "You vs Them." I know sometimes it might feel like that. When a member speaks to you about a complaint, instead of throwing your manager under the bus, respond as part of the team. "That is a great suggestion, Nancy. Let me chat with my manager and see what we can do about that request." Then loop back to your manager and share the concern. Being part of the solution makes any staff member feel accomplished. If you have an idea, chat about it and see if the solution might fit into the programming and safety guidelines that your pool has to follow. Help be the bridge of communication between the staff and the members. All too often we get frustrated at the situation and challenge the members to "attack" management on your behalf out of frustration. Even if the manager is 100% in the wrong, being attacked by the members will only burn more bridges. Instead, take the time to communicate with your manager about the issues, bring a few possible solutions and then follow up with an email documenting your takeaways. No matter how long you have worked at your current location, take a moment to step back and refresh your outlook on your facility. Give this challenge one month and then report back to this blog! We would love to hear how it went, and see if any changes were made to better your professional experience. Do you have other ideas on how staff can connect better with their managers? We want to hear from you! About the Author: Katy Coffey is a S’WET™ MASTER TRAINER teaching aquatic fitness in Boston, Massachusetts. She's been working in aquatics since 2002 and currently holds Instructor Training certifications for the American Red Cross, ASHI and YUSA. She is also an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor, an AEA Aquatic Training Specialist, Master Trainer with Aqua Body Strong and holds a collective of 15 additional fitness certifications for both land and aquatic fitness training. Contact Katy here: Katy@JenniLynnFitness.com

Guest Blogger: Andrea Velazquez Tell me I’m not the only Aqua Pro that does this? ... I leave my aquatic fitness equipment in my car overnight!!! I have done this during winter’s frigid temperatures and summer's sweaty humid heat waves, for quite a few days at a time, weeks…okay maybe a month or two! Equipment has also been dropped from various heights ("Sorry, Boss Lady. I didn’t mean to roll the barbells down the flight of stairs!"), left in super warm chlorinated environments, salty environments, collided with hard surfaces, and hard heads (ouch!). Now for the great news: My equipment always survives. It lasts for years. The investment in my aquatic fitness equipment was worth every single cent. The quality of the products made a huge difference in the longevity and use. Sometimes I even hint to my children about my "Aquatic Equipment Trust Fund" they will one day inherit. I have been in the aquatic fitness industry for over 25 years. I have ordered and used various types of equipment, ranging from empty milk jugs to Acquapoles. Standard flotation barbells, noodles, belts, balls, elastic bands, stars, bars, plates, Aqualogix, Aquastrength, AquaOhm, fitness boards, trampolines, bikes, and poles. And I have replaced standard equipment numerous times due to deterioration. Many factors can contribute to wear and tear, such as water and air temperature, pool chemicals, and storage. The equipment starts to smell moldy and disintegrates within a short span of time. But those foam "dumbbells" and noodles are cheap, right? Facilities buy the same inexpensive equipment over and over again. As managers, we then make excuses every fiscal year why it’s okay to buy the cheap stuff, but reason it’s too costly for the "expensive" equipment. Yet the "expensive" (translation: well-made equipment) turns out to be a better return on the investment in the long run because you buy the product once, and it lasts! The Indigo Aquatics equipment line is made with great material and intended to withstand the corrosive aquatic environment. Acquapole Poles are made with marine grade steel that does not rust. Foam equipment, such as the boxing gloves and "Liquid Stars" are made of closed cell eva foam, which isn’t porous and does not get stinky at all. Best yet, most of Indigo equipment can be used for other aquatic activities as well, including swim lessons. Working within a municipality that requires justification for anything and everything, it is not an easy task to convince management of the importance and advantages of investing in quality products. But if you are blessed with an abundance of budget and have an aquatic "Just Do It" policy, go for the better, costly but worth it products. Your patrons will thank you for it. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Andrea Velazquez has been immersed in the Aquatics Industry for over 25 years. She is a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Yonkers and Creator of AVAQUATICS. She is Master Trainer for many aquatic specialties, representing Acquapole, SAF Aqua Drums Vibes and HydroRevolution. She holds numerous certifications including AEA Fitness Professional, ACE- GF, Aqua Vida Floating Yoga, Tsunami Fitness Boards, and RM Medically Based Aquatics. She is a StarGuard Instructor and Starfish Aquatics Institute Swim School Instructor Trainer. She is a Presenter at the NYS Parks and Recreation Conference, SUNY Cortland (her alma mater) Recreation Conference, DCAC Fitness Convention, Association of Aquatic Professional Conference (AOAP), and SCW Fitness Mania Fitness Conferences.

by Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour Thinking back to my first experience in an aquatic fitness class, I can remember my "swimmer mindset" changing forever. After years of staring at the pool floor in my lap lane, discovering vertical water fitness was a game changer! Thankfully I was able to meet my future mentor, FitMotivation founder Mark Grevelding, at an AEA certification training shortly thereafter, and the flow of my aquatic fitness journey began. Making waves and breaking a S’WET™ was filling up my classes with students of all abilities and ages, but like many starting out, I soon came to realize I needed more education. Specifically, I needed to serve what became my most precious and fragile demographic of clientele - my arthritis community, or as I like to call them, my S’WET™ Silver Squad! I knew a small amount from my personal training certification and some education workshops I had previously attended, but I had to seek out more information. Thankfully the AEA (Aquatic Exercise Association) offered the Arthritis Foundation Leadership Program. This course and the continuing education that I received helped me discover ways of accommodating both my land and water participants, and I found myself being able to give my students multiple modifications during their classes and sessions. Soon I started to see 20-year olds working next to my 80-year olds and BOTH were able to adapt the movements to their needs no matter their abilities or restrictions. Eventually, the dreaded moment arrived when I needed to find a substitute instructor for my arthritis classes. Talk about trying to find a needle in a haystack?! I came to realize there were very few aquatic instructors educated in arthritis guidelines, and after months of trying to find a sub, the aquatic director decided to pull a land instructor onto the pool deck. Please hear me out, I am NOT shaming land instructors who graciously offer to help cover water classes...But not surprisingly, for a land instructor who may have never even taken an aquatic fitness class, let alone understand how different movements are felt in the water, this scenario did not go well. Sadly, I returned to my classes with a flood of complaints! I heard it all: "He told me to do twists and I told him I wasn’t allowed to. He then insisted 'you can't hurt yourself in the water.'" "She had her back turned to us for more than half the class duration!" "He gave the class extra large hand buoys which I couldn’t grip and then shamed me for putting them on the side of the pool when my hands and shoulders hurt." "She kept insisting that I jump higher and wouldn’t listen to me when I told her this was hurting my back and knees." Needless to say I was horrified! As an instructor who cares deeply for their students and their well being, I couldn't believe the aquatic director allowed someone unqualified and uneducated teach such a special population without the proper training. Isn’t the purpose of serving all populations to help them live a healthier and more movement rich lifestyle?! Can you imagine the uproar if a yoga class was subbed out by a Zumba trainer who didn't know a downward facing dog from a warrior pose? Or a pilates class subbed by a CrossFit instructor who insisted everyone push themselves beyond their limits because..."you can't hurt yourself" stretching? I posed these questions to management but got no real answers. I got the same message a lot of us hear: "It was just a water class" and they were "in a jam." I know I’m not the only instructor or educator that truly believes we have a responsibility to protect and help our clients/students. This is why education and structure mean so much to me, because they SERVE people’s lives for the better. A "great personality" and "rocking playlist" will never cover up the fact that an instructor lacks the education and training in a specialized format. In arthritis training, we’re taught to keep an open line of communication with our students, even after the class has ended. This allows us to inquire about useful information such as The Two Hour Pain Rule: if exercise-induced joint pain lasts more than two hours, then the program was too intense or difficult, thus the previous routine needs to be restructured to accommodate these individual’s specific needs/abilities. As my aquatic career has evolved, I still continue to S’WET™ it out with my able bodies participants, but my arthritis and active-agers hold a place near and dear to my heart. Watching my students build their strength and balance and increase their everyday activities truly helped me understand why I chose this career. I continue to educate myself with more specialized education as this is what not only helps me evolve as an instructor, but better serve my community and ensure their safety during each workout. This also increases their trust in me, knowing I will do my best to work within their capabilities and seek out modifications for movements that they may need extra care in performing. So as we begin a new year, my ask to instructors is please seek out further education. Find specialized programs and certifications that will further your own experience and skill sets. Besides keeping your career interesting, it will allow you to offer even more programming and class options in the future. And to the directors and facility management, PLEASE STOP allowing unqualified and untested staff to teach formats they have no training or education in. Invest in your team! Insist they educate and train more. If not for themselves, for your students and members to whom all of us have a responsibility to serve and protect. It is all of our personal and professional responsibilities. ABOUT THE WRITER: Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour is a NSCA-CPT (National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer), AEA Aquatic Training Specialist & CEC Provider, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor & CEC Provider and NASM CEC Provider. With a Bachelor's Degree in Health Psychology, Jenni Lynn combined her knowledge of neuromuscular and physical conditioning with her love for swimming and aquatic fitness to create S’WET™. S’WET™ combines muscle, strength and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with advanced cardio, plyometrics, unique equipment from around the world, and a splash of fun! Contact Jenni: JenniLynn@JenniLynnFitness.com New Workshop Coming 2022: In an effort to help facilities expose their land-based instructors to the philosophy and practice of aquatic fitness, the S'WET™ SQUAD team has built out a brand new comprehensive workshop, TURF TO SURF: Effective Strategies to take Land-Based Exercises to the Pool! It's the perfect way for instructors with little to no experience with water fitness to get their feet wet and learn how they can "aquafy" their repertoire. Stay tuned for details on how you can register to attend, online or in person! CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR NOTIFICATION LIST! JUST ANNOUNCED: SERIES V - ONLINE CHAIR-BASED ARTHRITIS CLASSES! Now's your chance to join in online! Take one class, two or three, a whole week or sign up for all 28 sessions! Best yet, if you can't attend the LIVE session with Jenni Lynn on the date and time of the class, you'll still get access to the recorded version to follow along at your own pace!

There comes a time in every man's life when he catches himself staring down his own reflection in the mirror, an image he barely recognizes looking back, both wondering where all the years went... For me, it was abundantly clear. It all went to my gut. I was nearing forty, pushing one-eighty and at only five-foot-eight, wore it all around my waist. Two decades of sedentary sitting, eating two-thirds of all my meals behind a desk, and look what I became - a stranger to my own eyes. I wasn't depressed per se, but I was certainly being dragged down by the weight of it all (literally and metaphorically). I knew I needed to exercise, but I hated going to the gym. I didn't play any sports, unless you count video games. My Insanity DVD's, still in their original packaging, sat dusty on my bookshelves -- and I didn't even own a DVD player anymore! Oh, and the last time I tried out Cross Fit, some guy bench-pressed ME over his head. So what was left for me to do? Where could a guy like me go from here? "Come to my Aqua Class," my friend Jenni Lynn said emphatically. "It will give you a really intense workout." I believe the exact expression I used was: "Yeah. Right." AQUACISE? Sure, I knew all about it. When I was twelve, I watched from the pool steps as my grandmother splashed around with these tiny worn-out foam dumbbells tucked under her arms, trying everything possible to avoid getting her hair wet. "Sorry, Jenni," I said snickering. "It's just not for me." She wasn't as amused as I was, but persisted anyway: "I promise you'll like it." Jenni Lynn was wrong. I didn't like it; I LOVED IT. I loved it so much I came again the following week. And then the next. And then twice the week after that. I bought a class pass to come as often as I could. Eventually it became an obsession, something to look forward to twice, maybe three times a week and then every other weekend... At the fourth-month mark I took another look in the mirror, and this time, the man reflected back was starting to look familiar again -- more than just familiar...he was starting to look GOOD! ;) Now, don't get me wrong...it didn't all happen overnight. One class led to two, led to three, and so on...And since the workout was so intense, I started drinking more water, eating healthier, even sleeping better! Each positive step forward seemed to multiply, like change in a savings account. Compounded over time, the results were undeniable. And you know what? I wasn't alone. Fellow participants of all ages, sizes and experiences were right there with me. I was most shocked by the amount of MEN in the class. Young men. FIT MEN. Wasn't aquatic fitness an older woman thing? The answer was as glaring as my smile in the mirror: NO. #AquaticFitness is for EVERYONE. Over the next few weeks we will be interviewing some of our fellow #WaveWarriors, men and women, young and old, who dove right in and experienced the new wave in aquatic fitness: S'WET by Jenni Lynn Fitness™. Stay tuned for more testimonials and success stories like my own, and find out why fitness instructors like Jenni Lynn and her husband Chris LaCour are shattering the misconceptions of what aquatic fitness can offer students like me, one bead of S'WET at a time! S'WET'S AQUAMEN is a celebration of how Jenni Lynn Fitness is attracting a new demographic of students to the pool: Find S'WET on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

by Chris LaCour How can we attract more men to our aquatic fitness classes? I get that question a lot here at S'WET™ ... and the answer??? Honestly, there isn't just one. I believe a few factors play a role in luring men to your class; some you have some control over and others you don’t, but taking advantage of either situation is the key to retaining men in your aquatic classes. I have the privilege of being a male aquatic fitness trainer living in one of the most densely populated cities in America, New York City. I fortunately don’t need to consciously work as hard to get men into my class, but even so, I have noticed there are some specific things that will lead an otherwise unlikely male participant into the pool to give an aqua class a try and even more importantly, keep them coming back. Here are the 3 of the most common ways men ended up in my classes. 1. Men come into class willingly/unwillingly with their partners to try it out. Their partners have usually tried the class before and want their partner to experience it too. This can be a good introduction if they are both serious about working out and not there to frolic in the pool together. PRO TIP: Challenge your class to invite their partners to join them and throw in some partner drills like those seen in our Pool Power Duo short available here. 2. Lap swimmers interrupted by class taking over the lanes. You’re already in your Speedo, right so why not take class?! 3. “I hurt myself doing ……. and I heard water classes were good for rehabbing.” I always introduce myself to the new participants, ask them their physical situations, and tell them that I understand their hesitancy and once shared the same feelings about the workout as them once upon a time. Concerning the workout, I let them know they’ll feel slightly awkward and that their body may not move the way they want it to and that all of this should be expected the first time. If they have no coordination issues then they are ahead of the game! I’ll also quickly make a statement about how I’m the only one who can see them moving underwater which I believe aids in their ability to relax and not feel like all (women’s) eyes are on them. These quick conversations allow men the ability to workout and freely make mistakes without feeling self-conscious in the water. Once class has begun it is your job as an instructor to give a class that MAKES THEM WANT TO COME BACK! I’ve also found that for most men, hard work(outs) = breathing heavy/heart rate+/muscles burn, so if you can incorporate as many of these elements into your water class, you will have a man who is more willing to give water classes a second, third and fourth try. How do I do that Chris!? Structure! Structuring your class to ensure these elements of work are included is very important, not just for keeping men in your class, but anyone who is serious about fitness and improving their overall health. This is why the S'WET™ program is so effective, because it teaches you how to STRUCTURE (the "S" in S'WET) your water exercise training in the most effective way possible. Here are three of my favorite basic moves that push your new aqua men to make waves. Wall Work: Tempo’d Flutter Kicks (add a push up @ the wall if advanced and capable) Wall Taps (Open-Close legs for advanced participants) Push-Off w/ High-Knee Run or Tuck-Swim Stationary Work: High Knee Run w/Hooks Tuck w strong Shoot Out Power Jacks Getting men to take the classes can seem difficult because it is, so focus on what you have control over which is good communication as well as knowing how to ramp up your class’s workout when needed. Make it challenging and know ways to intensify moves and give level options. Finding the best way to intensify your workouts will give you the best chances at keeping men in your classes. Need some additional ideas to bring in the dudes? Check out Chris LaCour in DUDE MOVES DEEP, available here. ABOUT THE WRITER: Christopher Lacour is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AEA Certified Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, Aquastrength Master Trainer, and a S’WET™ MASTER TRAINER teaching aquatic fitness in NYC. Chris was first introduced to water workouts after a snowboarding injury and subsequent spinal surgery. He saw first hand the benefits of aquatic fitness – improving his strength, cardio and overall recovery. Chris incorporates swimming, boxing and mixed martial arts into his S’WET™ classes to give his students an incredibly intense workout with little to no impact on the joints. Contact Chris: Chris@JenniLynnFitness.com

Guest Blogger: Stephanie Newberry Fitness facilities offer a pool and variety of classes for healthy exercise. But what most of these gyms lack is the importance of offering a well rounded aquatics program. Or if they DO, they often aren't clear about all they are offering by using generalized class names and titles. If you have ever stepped into a traditional gym, you probably have seen a schedule of organized exercise classes set up in their aerobics rooms. There are strength classes, cardio classes, yoga, pilates, balance classes, etc. It is clear what is offered at each class. When it comes to the pool, however, all you see is "aqua aerobics" with a list of times on a schedule. The reality is, these classes are usually taught be several different instructors, each with their own style. Often these classes have a targeted focus - but you wouldn't know it by the term "aqua aerobics." This generic term actually does a disservice to the aquatic fitness department of these facilities. In an effort to make it clear, at AquaGym Fitness™ our classes have a specific name and focus, allowing our clients to choose exactly how they want to work out in the water. AquaGym HIIT, AquaGym Circuit, AquaGym Pilates, and AquaGym StretchFlex are just a few of our specifications. We have found that a clear description for each class coupled with a consistent schedule of classes really enriches our program. Our clients customize the aquatic fitness to their interests and needs, creating more engaged clients and a stronger retention rate. If you are an aquatics director, you may want to take a strong look at your programming. Do you have classes that have specific targets? Do you offer a wide range of aquatic fitness styles to your clients? It can be as easy as titling the classes to their style. Not everyone enjoys a choreographed aqua aerobics class, while others love it. It is important to have a variety of class styles for your clients. The aquatic environment has so many benefits for those of ALL fitness levels. Your aquatics fitness programming should be able to offer something for everyone. Titles and descriptions are very important for people to make intelligent decisions about their aquatic fitness routine. Be sure to take a good look at how you refer to the aqua fitness classes in your facility. You might be surprised how many more people you can reach simply by being clear and diverse with your aqua classes. No matter how your facility handles their schedule, it is always important to highlight the benefits of aquatic fitness. Talk to your director if you feel their can be improvements, only that way can you consistently be able to service your customers, provide enriching programs, and help bring awareness to ALL of the faces of aquatic fitness. "See You In The Pool!" ABOUT THE WRITER: Stephanie Newberry is the founder of AquaGym Fitness™ located in Amelia Island, Florida. She is AEA and S'WET™ certified with a life long love of fitness. Stephanie received her Black Belt in Tang Soo Do in 2009, and loves to incorporate combat into her classes, both land and water. Stephanie is also a Certified Personal Trainer as well as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She enjoys working full time in the fitness industry and loves helping all of her clients lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Contact Stephanie: info@aquagym.fitness

by Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour As an AEA Aquatic Training Specialist and creator of S’WET™ I would 100% say that proper structure is fundamental to our aquatic fitness classes! But why? Whether you’re a brand-new instructor, a life-saving substitute or veteran teacher, there should be a format (translation: structure) that a class is arranged and that is designed around a multitude of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the needs and ability of the class, size and shape of the pool, equipment available, purpose of the session, and water temperature. Even though I’m speaking from a water perspective, land-based classes also follow a structure so that classes are safe, effective and attainable for the participants attending. If you’re already trained as an aquatic fitness or a land group fitness instructor, you know the components of a basic fitness class: Warm up, Conditioning & Cool Down. There is a WIDE range of formats to play with when it comes to plugging in your conditioning phase, but even with a proper warm up and cool down, what happens in between is crucial for the participant. As trained fitness professionals, we take on quite a bit when it comes to helping our participants achieve their fitness goals, while also keeping them safe during their workouts. So educating ourselves in properly building and structuring our classes is an important role in our careers. Here are AEA's Recommendations for Program Design: No class can start without a warmup and end without a cool down, so it’s important to take both of these components seriously when designing your classes. Many of the top fitness education manuals and books will explain how starting classes slowly (without equipment) and with short lever movements (i.e., jogging, marching and/or traveling) is going to get all the body’s joints, tendons and ligaments ready for increased impact and heavier resistance as you lead into more strenuous movements. My philosophy is that a lengthened muscle is a strengthened muscle; however, most people do not take the time to stretch, but the beauty of water (combined with an educated instructor) is using the buoyancy to naturally assist the body in lengthening while strengthening from the viscosity and resistance of the water. I tend to take my warmup component into 10-15 minutes because I want to work the small and important joints (hands, wrists, ankles, feet, hips, shoulders and spine) before really getting the waves rolling with longer levers (i.e., jumping jacks and Cross Country SKI) exercises. Referring back to the chart though, you can see from the duration range in the conditioning phase, there is quite a bit of time to work with here, and this is where I like to share my WHY for how I structure my classes. S’WET™ stands for Structured Water Exercise Training and the reason Structure is so important is to make sure we as aquatic professionals, provide an effective yet safe aquatic workout for all of our members, regardless of their fitness level and/or capabilities. Giving students an adequate warm up to get the blood flowing creates the ideal environment to then proceed to block in the appropriate components for your conditioning format to give a total body aqua workout that will leave all of your students feeling accomplished and wanting to return for more. What keeps them coming back? RESULTS! But how do we ensure results are made? Structure ☺ This is why I always incorporate cardiovascular stamina, strength & equipment exercises and plyometric power moves to keep students making waves, having fun, but getting the most resistance possible from the water that they can. An example of how I may block a 45-60 minute class: Even with a structured class plan, the water is the best equalizer to ensure we can offer every BODY an option (or modification) to work at their peak performance. This also allows us to regress and progress a lot of movements to suit each person’s abilities and ensure they feel successful after every class. Structure for me started with ‘blocking’ my classes in a way that when we completed the warm up, everyone had a quick break to grab water or head over to the wall to start the wall section. After the wall we could easily grab equipment and hydrate before strength, and then another break to recoup oxygen levels and move onto Interval Training or another Cardiovascular stamina component before ending it all with a cool down. The breaks between the blocks of movement allowed me to gather myself, but also for students to hydrate (#1) and get ready for the next blocked component of the class. Replenishing oxygen levels is imperative if we’re trying to maximize muscle contractions as well as push participants to reach their maximum levels of performance, so using this block method not only helped me structure a well-rounded and safe class, but gave my students the ability to max out their water workouts! The conditioning phase of your workout is where you as an instructor really have to think about the purpose of the class, the people attending and your space/access to equipment. It's also the time for you to add your own flare to the exercises and patterns you're repeating. The sample bootcamp class provided above splits the 30-45 min Conditioning phase into Wall Work, Equipment Intervals and Strength/Cardio stationed work. THIS is where the S’WET™ formula really takes shape, as I have spent years documenting and detailing how I structure each one of my classes, specifically during the conditioning phase, and have broken them up into the necessary blocks to ensure I'm providing a full-body, balanced, effective and safe workout for everyone in the pool. However you choose to build out your workouts, it's imperative you revert back to the considerations discussed above, and detailed further in the AEA chart. What is the purpose of this class? Who are your students? What are their capabilities and limitations? What depth of pool do you have to work with and what's the water temperature? How much and what kind of equipment do you have access to? If you show up to class every week with a memorized routine incapable of change, it may be time to rethink how you structure your workouts. Professional instructors should be able to adjust on the fly based on these varying conditions, but always coming back to the basic building blocks - aka STRUCTURE - of the workout. Are you ready to learn the S’WET™ STRUCTURE? Get certified today!

Learning how to convey what I teach in my aquatic fitness classes has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Being a freestyle instructor and gearing each class towards its specific population, I find myself without notes and going ‘off the cuff’ while teaching. But then trying to remember what I did was impossible. So, I started to record myself. Game changer! I started to notice that I have a “block” system to my format, so this IAFC 2019 workshop is appropriately named Deck Blocks. Using the principles and guidelines from AEA, the structuring and progression of a class seems pretty simple: short lever movements progressing to long lever, level I progressing to level III and propulsion, and being mindful of the equipment each participant is using and the duration of the use. Though these are just a few of the rules, we as instructors have the education to execute a safe and effective routine for our students to achieve a total body aquatic workout. Two of my concerns while training my students are 1) warming up quickly and safely in cool water and 2) keeping them moving/active to avoid talking. After reviewing some videos, I filmed of myself teaching, I noticed a general blocking: • Warm-Up – 10 minutes • Transition at Wall – 5 minutes • Without Equipment Main Section – 10 minutes • Transition at Wall – 5 minutes • With Equipment Main section – 10 minutes • Warm-Down using Wall – 5 minutes This is just an example, as sometimes I may not use equipment during the class, or I will use two different types of equipment after the wall transitions. The wall is optional as well, since there are times when there are too many participants; in other classes I may break them into two groups and have some at the wall and some in the middle of the pool. The “blocks” can be built in any format you choose based on your population and available pool space. Besides the cool-down and stretch to end class, the warm-up is by far one of the most important blocks to a well-designed fitness class. This ensures that participants are properly warmed up, their muscles are ready for the workload, and they’re less likely to experience an injury. Being that I have to work with cool water geared towards swimmers, I try to travel my participants to warm up quickly. If traveling is not possible, I bring out my short lever and ROM (range of motion) block. This is a block I like to think of as bringing my student’s attention to their body and how it’s moving – from reminders to drop their heels down to the floor, bring their ears over the shoulders, or slice their hands through the water. The point is to awaken their awareness of how each joint and muscle is being moved. In doing so, we can safely and effectively prepare each and every part of the body before transitioning to one of the main sections of class. Transitions in class, both between exercises and between class segments, can be tricky. As most instructors know, you don’t want to have extended ‘down time’ for students, because that’s when the chatterboxes take over! So, I have found that using the wall as a place to transition into the main section and/or use of equipment can be very helpful. Wall transitions can be fun and challenging for participants, plus it gives you an opportunity to walk around and verbally motivate everyone. Using wall circuits is just one way I like to keep my participants focused and warm. One example of a Wall Circuit would be: • 45-second Wall Taps • 45-second Kicks and/or High Knee Run in Place • 45-second Push Offs Repeat 2 times (Interval length can increase or decrease depending on your population) During the Deck Blocks workshop at IAFC 2019 we will discuss the many options available to building your own “blocks” of work for your classes. From the warm-up, transitions, main sections (both with and without equipment) and the finale of a cool-down, we will break into groups to brainstorm and explore the endless options to build your perfect aquatic class. Together we will make sure that we not only properly warm our students up and keep them flexible but ensure a balanced workout that targets all muscle groups and challenges balance, power and cardio stamina. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour is an AEA ATS and CE Provider as well as NSCA, CPT and CE Provider for AFAA and NASM. Jenni Lynn is also the creator and founder of S'WET by Jenni Lynn Fitness™, a trademarked aquatic fitness program that incorporates her swimming background with kickboxing, HIIT, yoga, pilates, and strength training in the pool. She truly believes the perception of water fitness can be transformed and soon ALL ages and genders will be working out together in the pool! Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) www.aeawave.com This article first appeared in the April/May 2019 Issue of AKWA Magazine.

The most grueling days during high school swim team practice were “drag” days, where training revolved around increasing drag resistance Putting on my sweat pants, sweat shirt, long socks, and – don’t forget the swim cap – made my stomach turn. I knew what was ahead once we got into the pool with Coach Barb ready to make us sweat! Not only were we dragged down (literally) by a heavy, wet sweat suit, but we had to swim over two miles! Now I know why I’m a hard-nosed, relentless instructor when it comes to teaching my aquatic fitness classes. Once I graduated and continued to swim and workout on my own, I found that I had to attend a group fitness class to really get the intense kind of push that I was used to getting during swim team practice. Then, I found drag equipment. The different types of drag – hand-held bells, paddles, kickboards, ankle fins – was exciting and made me realize I could still get the same level of intensity I had become accustomed to during swim team practice! Through the years of teaching, attending workshops and conferences, and experiencing some of the best of the best aquatic instructors from around the world, I’ve discovered there are endless pieces of drag equipment we can use in our aqua gyms. Whether it’s just the shape and direction of your bare hand, the added resistance of webbed gloves, or the addition of swim paddles, kickboards, Frisbees, drag bells or ankle fins, these options allow you to displace more water. This creates more resistance which intensifies the movement. Feeling this increased resistance started to spark my mermaid fire and I wanted to try and create more and more exercises using drag equipment. Being a swimmer, the first pieces of drag equipment I used were kickboards and swimming hand paddles. The very thought of those kicking and pulling drills makes my arms and thighs burn! Once I started vertical aquatic training, I realized you could push and pull your way to a pool full of waves and maximum resistance. Over the years, I’ve saved up for my own equipment and convinced some of my aquatic directors to budget for drag belles and ankle fins. While I don’t have this equipment at every facility, I found the ones that do tend to pull in quite a few men and younger participants. Once they see the waves and the intense nature that drag equipment offers, they are curious about what this “aquatic fitness class thing” is all about. Most of my aquatic fitness training and exercises are on the more aggressive side, whether we’re using equipment or not. The jumping jack with a chest press is my personal favorite exercise with the kickboard: Begin with elbows flexed and at the waist. Grip the kickboard with both hands; board perpendicular to pool bottom and fully submerged for maximum resistance. Perform jumping jacks with a push and pull movement. Some of my student’s favorite drag exercises include: board push/pull, soccer kicks with ankle fins, abdominal rotations with hand paddles, and hooks with drag bells (shown in the following picture.) Though we live in world full of many different types of fitness modalities, I believe that the aquatic environment is the best environment to simultaneously strengthen the muscles, tone the body, and get the most out of your cardiovascular workout! Resistance in water is significantly greater than in air – depending on the size and shape of the moving object, as well as the speed of movement. Plus, water provides resistance in all directions. With the addition of water fitness equipment, resistance can be further increased – both for shallow and deep water programs. You can get the most out of your workout if you use the water to its fullest potential…and if you push yourself to make some waves! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour is an AEA ATS and CE Provider as well as NSCA, CPT and CE Provider for AFAA and NASM. Jenni Lynn is also the creator and founder of S'WET by Jenni Lynn Fitness™, a trademarked aquatic fitness program that incorporates her swimming background with kickboxing, HIIT, yoga, pilates, and strength training in the pool. She truly believes the perception of water fitness can be transformed and soon ALL ages and genders will be working out together in the pool! Reprinted with permission from the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) www.aeawave.com This article first appeared online August 2017.

Is 2019 the year you're gonna finally make good on that promise to really push yourself to learn something new? To add one or two advanced moves to your weekly exercise routine? To start up that YouTube channel you're always talking about? To sign up for a new cert or skill set and beef up that outdated resume? Is 2019 the year you take your aquatic fitness career to an all new DEPTH?! Well it all starts with admitting you're R.W.C. -- that is, READY, WILLING & CAPABLE! Wait...that's supposed to be ABLE, right? Ready, willing and able? Actually, no. Turns out just being "able" to do something doesn't mean you necessarily will. But being CAPABLE, well that's an immediate acknowledgment of not just your ability to do something but also your intent to actually do it. Intent matters. And believe it or not that seemingly insignificant little difference in phrasing is all it takes to separate those who say, "One day I will..." from those who say, "I already have!" In fact, one of the major differences between People Who Do and those who just "say" they'll do is intent. Everyone is able to change, but not everyone is capable of handling it. It's those who actively intend to cause and embrace improvements in their own lives who reap the rewards of doing so. And just like the loose change collected in a savings account from compounded interest, the smallest of changes you make in your daily life today, over time, can double, even triple in value! You may not noice it right away, but as each active decision you make compounds with the next, you're going to feel the change. The point isn't that you're simply able to improve, it's that you actually intend to. So which one are you? Able to let another year go by doing the same things every day, the same way, for so many years at a time you simply forget WHY you started doing them in the first place? Or are you READY, WILLING and CAPABLE of so much more? Registering for even one of the hundreds of courses and workshops offered at this year's IAFC 2019 is a great place to start sharpening your skills and finding a network of professionals who have taken the plunge just like you! A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF OUR S'WET WORKSHOPS AT IAFC: FREESTYLE FLOW @ IAFC 2018 COACH & COMMAND @ IAFC 2018 WATER WARRIOR 2017 S'WET DEEP WATER 2017 S'WET BOOTCAMP @ IAFC 2016 S'WET CHALLENGE @ IAFC 2016

Recently Jenni Lynn shared with Katie Couric why aquatic fitness is making some big waves in the fitness community - and gave her some challenging moves anyone can try next time they're at the pool this summer! The exercises discussed in the interview are from our Wave Warrior DVD - available as a digital download, audio workout and instructional guide! Please consult your physician before engaging in any exercise program. Reprinted from Wake-Up Call with Katie Couric. This article first appeared July 31, 2019 online. Sign up for her daily newsletter here. Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour’s Pool Workout Routine We’re in the lazy days of summer and I don’t know about you, but working up a sweat in the gym is not exactly at the top of my to-do list when I can get sweaty just from walking outside! Regular exercise is so important for our overall health though, so I’m always up for a fun work-out that incorporates something I already like to do — and with these sweltering temps, that definitely includes hanging out at the pool! Read my conversation below with aquatics trainer Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour to learn all about the underwater routine that will get you in shape without even breaking a sweat! Katie Couric: What can an aquatic exercise routine do for you that a regular routine cannot? Jenni Lynn Patterson-Lacour: When submerged underwater, your entire body experiences hydrostatic pressure. The water lightly hugs you, and in turn, opens blood vessels that allow more oxygen-rich blood to fill your muscles, heart and brain. In addition, water’s density creates 360 degrees of resistance around you so no matter which direction you move your arms, legs or travel your body through, you are experiencing added resistance – something you don’t get on land naturally! When you’re working out in the water, you not only build muscle strength and cardiovascular stamina, but also increase your joints range of motion and allow your muscles to stretch. Aquatic fitness routines give your entire body both length and strength! Katie Couric: How is aquatic exercise particularly good for those recovering from an injury or those suffering from arthritis? Jenni Lynn Patterson-Lacour: The effect of hydrostatic pressure when submerged in water results in more oxygen-rich blood to flow throughout the body – making the aquatic environment the perfect aid in recovery from injuries or post-surgery. Once cleared by your medical professional to get into a pool, water’s natural buoyancy will safely support you, allowing you to work on balance, strength, flexibility and stamina. Since the water also allows the body to move through greater range of motion, this may help prevent scar tissue from developing around surgery/joint areas. Those suffering from arthritis or other joint issues will find low impact aquatic exercise easier on their body and decrease joint/muscle pain and stiffness. Katie Couric: I read that people tend to actually be able to work out longer in the water than they can with land-based activities. Have you found that to be true? Jenni Lynn Patterson-Lacour: Along with increasing blood flow, water exercise decreases your heart rate. This drop in HR combined with the accelerated blood flow delays the onset of muscle soreness, so participants will not only feel less joint impact from being in water, they will also be able to work longer in the water than on land. This also induces delayed onset of muscle soreness, in which participants experience muscle fatigue/soreness about 24-48 hours after their aquatic exercise routine. The cooling effect of water temperature also makes working out in the pool more enjoyable – though don’t be fooled, I tell all my clients that my brand of aquatic fitness will make you S’WET™! Katie Couric: Could you offer up some examples of exercises that don’t require any extra equipment and could be done easily in the pool? Jenni Lynn Patterson-Lacour: Sure, here are ten easy exercises to get you started! 1. Knee-High Jog with Pumping Arms 2. Wide Leg Jog with Chest Press 3. Bubbles / Scoop-Ups 4. Dolphin Pops 5. Power Jacks 6. Figure 8's 7. Hops / Hurdles Front & Back 8. Star Jacks 9. Level III Shoot-Thrus 10. Power Ski Reprinted from Wake-Up Call with Katie Couric. This article first appeared July 31, 2019 online. Sign up for her daily newsletter here.