BMC Wellness Class Feature: Water Aerobics
By Savannah Logan
The Water Aerobics Class at the BMC Wellness Center offers a refreshing way to stay fit, with sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. The classes are led by skilled instructors: Sandi Horsley on Tuesdays, Pam Smitherman on Thursday mornings, and Joy Chance on Thursday afternoons.
Water aerobics provides unique advantages over traditional exercise routines. The buoyancy of water reduces the impact on joints, making it an ideal choice for individuals with arthritis, joint pain, or those recovering from surgery. The resistance offered by water helps in toning muscles and building strength without the need for heavy weights, while also providing a cardiovascular workout that is easy on the heart and lungs.
The BMC Wellness Center boasts a 1,489 square foot indoor, heated pool with a consistent depth of 3’9”. This state-of-the-art pool is equipped with technology that maintains clean, clear, and safe water, ensuring a top-notch swimming environment for all users.
Class sizes range from 5 to 15 participants, attracting both men and women of all ages. The most senior attendee is an impressive 96 years old, inspiring us all!
One significant appeal of this class is the support and stability it offers, greatly reducing the risk of falls during exercise. The focus is on increasing overall mobility, strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health.
The water aerobics routine includes light jogging or walking around the pool, stretching using the pool wall for support, pushups against the pool wall, upper arm exercises with light weights, squats using pool noodles for stability, and light resistance exercises with pool noodles.
Joyce Perry, a class member who underwent knee replacement surgery, shared her positive experience, extoling how having the option to exercise in a non-traditional way has allowed her to maintain her health. “I feel much better afterwards,” she said. “I still get to work out, even though my knee can’t take it in the gym.”
Participants of the Water Aerobics class at BMC Wellness Center expressed a sense of community, companionship, and camaraderie being a huge draw for them attending the class. This sentiment is echoed across all classes offered at the Wellness Center, making it a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.
If you are a BMC Wellness member, the Water Aerobics class is free. Non-members can try out the class by obtaining a class pass for $5 at the front desk. BMC Wellness Center is committed to the health and wellbeing of the community, as showcased by the variety of classes they offer, including the invigorating Water Aerobics class!
