Whether you are interested in becoming a trained arthritis leader or you simply want to add more joint awareness and mobility into your classes, the purpose of this blog is to summarize the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) Arthritis resources that are available to you.
_*AEA ARTHRITIS RESOURCES (click on links below)
*_Please bookmark the AEA Arthritis page on the AEA website for quick links to all AEA Arthritis resources
AEA Arthritis Foundation (AF) Program Leader (Online Training Course)
If you want to be trained to lead the AF Aquatic Program (AFAP) or the AF Exercise Program (AFEP), you can do so online in the convenience of your own home at a very affordable price. This online training course includes a digital copy of the AF manual and a digital (video) Movement Library of the approved exercises.
AEA AF Program Leader Development Course (in-person day long course)
This course is the perfect accompaniment to the online training course as it reviews approved exercises for both the AFAP and AFEP and it provides ample practical skills and applications for creating lesson plans and exceptional arthritis classes. You do not have to take the online training course in order to participate in this course.
AEA AF Manual (printed manual)
Whether or not you take the online training or the in-person development course, this manual is a must-buy. Go online to AEA’s AKWA SHOP and buy it now! For just $25.00 you will have the ultimate resource guide for leading effective and creative arthritis classes. All the approved exercises are included in this manual along with progressions and variations. Note: the digital version of the manual is included with the online training course. But trust me, you will want this manual handy and hand-held in order to quickly refresh your lesson plans.
AEA AFAP & AFEP Movement Library (DVDs)
Okay…so even with the manual…perhaps you are more of a visual learner. No problem! Almost all of the approved exercises depicted and described in the manual are available on the AFAP (aqua) DVD and the AFEP (exercise/land) DVD. And they are offered at an excellent price - $18.99 each.
AEA AF Continuing Education (workshops)
Keep your eyes on the AEA Online Calendar. Three new AEA AF CEC workshops were created in 2016 to help fitness leaders keep their arthritis programming fresh and inspiring. 1) Lesson Planning Tips & Tools 2) Teaching Platforms 3) Motivating your Participants. Find out more about these workshops in the interview with Julie See. Attend all three of these workshops and take the AF Program Leader Development course at the AEA Philadelphia Specialty Event Nov. 4-6, 2016.
AEA Arthritis Leader Tools
Enjoy monthly ideas for sample warm-ups and cool-downs, creative ways to incorporate neurobics into class, fun and functional games to increase socialization, expanded class themes for motivation, and/or additional health education topics.
Arthritis: Aquatic Essentials (streaming video)
This video collaboration between Fitmotivation and AEA showcases the essential components of an AFAP lesson plan. Take away fresh ideas for your existing arthritis classes or for adding joint mobility into your regular programming.
AEA Membership
AEA Members receive 20% off all Online AKWA Shop purchases, including the AF Manual and AF Movement Library DVDs. Members also receive discounts on all AEA events they attend, as well as several other benefits - including AKWA, the only magazine in the world exclusively dedicated to aquatic fitness professionals and enthusiasts. An AEA Membership starts at just $4.00 a month!