Aqua Zumba: A Great Way To Enjoy The Pool

You can’t beat the YMCA for the range of exercise classes available and I’ve tried all kinds of fitness classes over the years. I love to be in the water and I love to dance, so what better way to combine two of my favorite ways to exercise than to try Aqua Zumba?

I’ve taken many Zumba classes over the years since the craze began, but lately I’ve found it wreaks havoc with my joints. Swimming is a great all-round exercise, but I know how important weight-bearing exercise is for the prevention of osteoporosis as we age. Aqua Zumba offers a balanced exercise routine and the instructor who teaches the class at the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is awesome!

Julie Devinny is a qualified group fitness instructor who trained in and taught Zumba fitness before she decided to add Aqua Zumba to all her other fitness certifications. She’s taught this class at the Y since July and says it is great for people who enjoy exercising to music. One of the ladies in the Aqua Zumba class, MaryAnn Hood, used to do regular Zumba until a foot injury made it too painful. She loves the aquatics class so much she thinks everyone should try it. She says, “It’s stress free and so much fun.”

Knowing how quick some of the Zumba dance moves can be, I was curious to know how this would pan out in the pool. After all, you can’t slow down traditional Salsa or Soca. Surprisingly, this was not a problem because Julie expertly modified the choreography to match the pace dictated by the water resistance. And, because it takes place in shallow water (about chest depth), people of any level or ability can take part. Julie explains to the class how modifications can be made and how to increase or reduce the intensity of the workout.

Aqua Zumba is a great complement to other types of exercise because it is a good cardio workout and the water resistance helps with strength training and core work. Julie’s husband, Sean, usually runs and lifts weights but decided to try the class today saying, “The water makes it low impact yet the water resistance makes it a really good upper body workout.” So men, take note! This class is not just for women.

It’s such an easy-to-follow format too that Julie says even kids from the age of 11 or 12 can do it. I was surprised at how doable all the moves were. I expected to be muddling along amidst a lot of splashing, but you seriously don’t have to be a dancer or a swimmer to enjoy it; Julie’s enthusiasm is infectious. She obviously loves Zumba and wants everyone to have fun. I came out agreeing with MaryAnn who enthusiastically says, “Everyone should try it.”

So I challenge you to take an Aqua Zumba class at the Wilmington Family YMCA and tell me I’m wrong! I know you’ll have fun.

By Carole Wirszyla
Freelance Writer,
children’s picture book author, and blogger
[email protected]