GROUNDED INSPIRATION
Ground Forces was a conference session that I taught at the International Aquatic Fitness & Therapy Conference (IAFTC) in May. My goal was to encourage instructors to add more grounded movement into their shallow water classes to lessen the overall impact. Why? There is still impact in shallow water classes because participants are still bearing 25-35% of their body weight when exercising in chest depth water. Shallow water exercise often include bounding moves, which requires weight transfer, as well as base moves that involve jumping, such as jacks and skis. Many class members participate in water fitness because they have joint impact issues. Bounding and jumping exercises in chest-to-waist depth water can cause discomfort, pain and possibly injury to participants who have joint impact issues in their lower extremities. Grounding movement by keeping one foot anchored to the pool floor is one way to eliminate impact in shallow water exercise. Watch Mark talk about this in the video below and then read more about grounded movement and the Ground Forces video.
GROUNDED MOVEMENT
Aquatic fitness instructors should consider adding more grounded moves into their classes for the reasons below.
AQUATIC FITNESS CLASS-AT-A-GLANCE
The goal in this 55-minute workout is to show how to implement grounded movement into traditional class components and formats, while still maintaining the intensity of the workout. It was intended as an educational video in which instructors could take away ideas, but it can also be offered as a full class. Below is the structure of the Ground Forces video.
I hope you take away a better understanding of how to lessen impact in your shallow water classes. Grounded options can be offered to your class members any time they feel uncomfortable with bounding or jumping an exercise.
Author: Mark Grevelding is the founder of Fitmotivation. He is also a training specialist and consultant with the Aquatic Exercise Association’s (AEA). Mark has been active in the fitness industry for 22 years as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, international presenter and a continuing education provider for AEA, AFAA & ACE.