Aqua, Aqua - Deep, Aqua - Shallow, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Stop Selling “Gentle Aqua” If you teach Aqua, you already know this: it’s one of the best group fitness options in a facility. The problem is not the product. The problem is the story people are being told about it. In too many centres, the public story is still stuck...
Aqua Articles, Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Here’s why saying yes to everyone is the fastest way to lose yourself. If you’ve ever walked off pool deck or out of a studio, wondering why a single piece of feedback hit you harder than the compliment that came before it, you’re not alone. Every instructor, whether...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Why ‘Finding Yourself’ Isn’t Fluff Every instructor begins by copying, borrowing, exercises, class plans, playlists and even cueing strategies from mentors. But at some point, imitation turns into dissonance. You feel that quiet tug that says, This isn’t me anymore....
Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
A step-by-step workbook for group fitness and aqua professionals Why Instructor Identity Matters Picture this: You’re on deck or in the studio. Music’s playing, the mic is clipped on, and participants are filing in. The first track begins, and you’re already scanning...
Aqua Articles, Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
For most people, work means clocking in, doing the job, and clocking out. But in the fitness industry, “work” is much bigger than the one hour you spend teaching a class. It’s the music research, the choreography practice, the playlist testing, the set-up and packing...
Aqua Articles, Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Stress doesn’t wait until you’re halfway through class to show up. Sometimes it strikes before the first track even plays, the sound system won’t work, a participant corners you with a request or criticism, or your group fitness manager delivers last-minute feedback...
Aqua Articles, Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Mindset
Mindfulness tricks every group fitness instructor should know If you’re a group fitness instructor, you know the drill: you’re cueing the next move, scanning participants’ technique, adjusting the mic and sound system, and at the same time trying to remember what’s...
If you’ve ever stood on a pool deck with music pumping, water splashing, and 20 pairs of eyes waiting for your next move, you’ll know that words alone don’t cut it. In aqua fitness, sound doesn’t travel well across water, and unlike land-based classes, instructors are...
How to build better playlists for your aqua classes and stay within the rules Let’s be honest. Music can make or break an aqua class. It lifts the energy, sets the pace, supports movement quality, and creates a mood. But choosing music for a water class isn’t just...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Redefine what intensity means If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I need new moves to make my class more engaging” or “I need something different to help my participants work harder”, you're not alone. It’s common for aqua instructors to assume that intensity...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
For every group fitness instructor who’s ever considered going solo, here’s the real talk about starting small, building smart, and stepping into ownership. Already Running a Business. Time to Own It If you teach classes, you’re already running a business. You show...
A Guide for Aqua Instructors Ready to Fine-Tune Their Hand Technique and Teaching You cue the legs. You cue the arms. But how often do you cue the hands? In aqua fitness, hand positioning is often overlooked. Yet it plays a significant role in determining the level of...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts
If you're an aqua instructor, you’ve probably felt it — that moment where you're rushing into the pool area, scanning your laminated notes (or worse, your memory), trying to pull together a class that works for a group you can’t predict. Sometimes it’s a full lane,...
Aqua - Gymstick, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Gymstick Articles
Are you seeking a new way to refresh your aquatic workouts? The Aqua Gymstick offers a versatile, full-body workout by combining the resistance of water with the tension from elastic bands. One excellent example of its versatility is the Bicep Curl with Hip Extension....
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Exercise Enthusiasts
My first aqua class I'll never forget the first time I tried an aqua fitness class. It was a strange sensation. Surrounded by water, I felt like I was defying gravity. My legs didn't move as expected, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being completely out of my...
Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
The last 18 months have been a series of firsts, from teaching virtually and getting a handle on the technology to editing videos, creating accessible education platforms and building new websites. The impetus to do all these new things may have been due to reasons...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
A Unique Approach to Instructor Development Over several years, I collaborated with Maria Teresa Stone on a workshop that revolutionized the way instructors hone their skills. The workshop involved recording instructors performing exercises in both water and land...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Can you make everyone happy? Recently I received an email from an aqua instructor asking ‘Are you able to share ideas with me on how I can keep everyone happy in a class? The participants are of different ages, have different abilities and fitness levels and injuries...
Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Pelvic Floor Article
By Dianne Edmonds and Marietta Mehanni "Lower back pain is also strongly linked with pelvic floor weakness and there is certainly an awareness that aqua aerobics provides a safer choice of fitness program for these individuals." Introduction Many people who want to...
Recently, I spoke with a commercial pool owner. He told me that he had a purple color on the walls of his pool. With just a couple of questions, I could determine the problem. I also suggested a simple way to remove the color from the pool. However, the basis for the...
Do you like to dance? Dance is the movement interpretation of music. Most instructors would say 'Yes' because we often use exercise as a movement interpretation of music, and perhaps that is why we like this form of exercise. Do you find yourself dancing, or bopping...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Pursuing the next great aqua move Aqua Fitness has taken the world by storm, captivating enthusiasts with its invigorating and effective workouts. Aqua instructors constantly pursue groundbreaking techniques and cutting-edge moves to stay ahead in this rapidly...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Fitness Professionals
How can dumbbells and noodles be used for deep water exercise? Dumbbells and noodles are popular aquatic tools, predominately in shallow water, for resistance, turbulence and buoyancy-type exercises. But can they be used effectively for a deep water class? These two...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
What are the ingredients of a fabulous aqua session? Class Plan Music Teaching Skills X factor One of the most important aspects of a fabulous class is the plan. Even with all other factors being present, without a plan, your sessions will be a “hit or miss”. It will...
Aqua - Deep, Aqua Articles, Articles, Fitness Professionals
Co written with Clare Patmore Our mission was to look at conventional deep water sessions and explore the movement possibilities for a range of reasons. Originally we had tried deep water running classes. Our cliental didn't really enjoy the drills, sprints and...
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Consider this… Participants coming to YOUR class because of the MUSIC you play! This has certainly been an important aspect in land based classes for as long as group fitness has existed. Admittedly, this is sometimes missing in aqua classes and music is merely a...
What class would be complete without some exercises devoted to using the humble dumbbell? From the original milk containers that were one of the earliest floatation aids used in aqua classes, the dumbbell has many uses, including: Suspended exercises in shallow and...
As an aqua instructor, I've worked with dumbbells and noodles in countless ways. Both are fantastic tools with many uses, but after years of creativity, it's time to try something new. Foam ankle cuffs! Floating Feet The ankle cuffs increase resistance and buoyancy...
Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Aqua instructors are continually challenged to create new and interesting classroom formats. Hence, different forms of equipment such as dumbbells, noodles/woggles, aqua belts, etc. were developed. Unfortunately, not all facilities are equipped with these great tools....
Aqua, Aqua Articles, Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals
Celebrating the Unsung Heroes - Aqua Instructors Today I shine a spotlight on a remarkable group of individuals who truly deserve our appreciation: aqua instructors. These dedicated individuals often find themselves teaching in less-than-ideal environments—hot, humid,...
