Exercise - Free Fitness Library
Differences between teaching Aqua and Land exercise
Eva Stefanska and Lydia Campbell of AquaMotion* explain what it's all about?
Have you ever considered gaining an aqua instructors certificate to add to your string of credits? Leisure centres are screaming out for qualified aqua instructors to teach their keen followers of aqua aerobics.
Some of you may think aqua related exercises has a stigma attached to it, and that aqua is targeted for the older female population who suffer from arthritis. Well, ladies and gentlemen you have been mis-informed, aqua is an extremely popular mode of exercise which caters for all ages and levels of fitness.
Teaching workouts in water is not as straight forward as you may believe. because water has different properties to that of land, instructors need to adapt their teaching skills to suit this new environment.
WATER
Pool environment
Temperature - the pace of workout should be adapted to pool's temperature
Positioning - find a point by the pool where you can best be seen
Pool floor - check for grip value, adapt class to slippery floors and raked pools.
Teaching environment
Pool deck - slow your demonstration moves down to mimic water speeds. If it is slippery you can't move quickly and safely when teaching
Vet your students, non-swimmers need looking after, inform the lifeguard so that they may help you
Aqua attracts people with problems. Expect to handle anything from back problem to arthritis
Teaching skills
Emphasise your visual cues, pool acoustics absorb sound making it difficult to hear verbal cues and you are competing with pool noise. Vocal cords voice can easily strain
Educate students how to find their own centre of buoyancy - this will vary according to the shape and body composition; High fat ratio can affect how dynamically one can workout in the pool
You have to train your class how to use the properties of water to create MSE overload
Range of individual's abilities will differ - Encourage members to compromise their speed in order to maintain their technique
Choreography
Transition moves - allow time before change direction in water, the
body needs a stationary move as turbulence will cause
Mis-alignment of muscle action, your class members can fall over!
Various water depths need choreography modifications
Shallow water
Slower speeds - lengthen levers of arms and legs, go through a full range of movement, and apply force to the action (118 - 125 bpm approx.)
Normal speed - use loose moves of buoyancy during warm up, in between moves power moves, and after active stretching (122 - 126 bpm approx.)Faster speed - shorten levers, pull in stomach muscles to help maintain body alignment so that the exercise is carried out correctly (126 - 129 bpm)
Deep water ( i.e. above nipple line) - Introduce some bouyant equipment. Moves become even more exaggerated, and the centre of buoyancy will change (110 - 130 bpm approx.) Body composition affects the success of workout
Tuck the tail bone under in to maintain a upright position in deep water
Buoyancy belts and use of wave mitts; Go through the safety procedures with equipment
Adapt your choreography to suit the different pool depths, and choose music to fit in with each sections of the workout; Complicated choreography does not work in water
LAND
Temperature
On land you can maintain warmth with clothing, heating, raised body temperature through exercise.
Positioning
In a studio you easily change direction along with your class; and members do not have to crane their necks to see you
Studios are purposely built for aerobic activity; you would never teach on a slippery surface
Teaching environment
Instructors can workout at the same pace as the students, you can change tempo and intensity within seconds
Students are screened for health and disabilities
Most people choose a class for their ability
Teaching skills
Verbal and visual cues can be easily heard and seen, it is not unusual to have echo and background sound
Gravity creates a natural balance; Rarely do you see a class member topple over while jogging!
To increase intensity using resistance aids or muscle overload with repetitions. Build on combination moves, incorporate different plane of motion and increase changes of direction. On land it is easy to workout at ones own pace
You can work at a much faster pace whilst keeping your technique
Choreography
Changing directions can be executed in time with the music
Instructors do not have to consider the air environment working at a slower bpm is not easy and usually is applied to stepping or body conditioning
Gravity will not change during a workout . Class workouts are built around the choreography and speed of music. A teacher can easily see class alignment
Body alignment remains neutral on land
Weights are used on land as a tool for intensity and not for balance; on teaches safety tips but not life saving drills!
Adaptations to choreography on land is not necessary
Choreography can be amazingly complicated. Dry land teaching skills and correct body alignment, exercise action, verbal and visual cue all vital. Dependent on music
Air is less resistant to water and therefore more repetitions can be carried out on land. Three dimensional resistance does not exist throughout the workout
Hints for in a Crisis
Music problems adapt to : low impact, new body or pitch control
Class Members
One never has to ask a class to kneel to do a body conditioning!
It is not a problem to sip water throughout class. Teaching in a studio with mirrors is so very different. Most up to date studios have radio mics
Have you ever fallen in class because the floors are slippery? A rare occasion!
You can develop your teaching skills on land
There are only so many dry land classes you can teach a week before you body complains
There are various aqua teachers training associations available, all of which are offering an excellent array of courses. The choice is yours depending on your training and budget.
For details of courses contact:
Aquafit 0509 230431
Aquarobics 081 876 7789
AquaMotion 081 741 0215
Hydro-Fit 0983 840555
SplashDance 0708 730431
Y Aqua 071 580 2989
Speedo Aquatic Fitness 060 229 6131