/27/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Although swimming laps might not be everybody's favorite way to exercise, water-lovers might want to check out the summer water aerobics class offered from 10-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Center Pool.
"The water aerobics classes offered here at Randolph are a great way for patrons to get out and exercise while having fun at the same time," Rey Salinas, Rambler Fitness Center programs manager, said. "Patrons get a full body workout in 55 minutes and are able to listen to music while benefiting from water resistance. Patrons can build muscle strength, muscle tone and improve their endurance without any negative impact on their joints."
Regina Barak has been a fitness instructor at Randolph's Rambler Fitness Center since August 2003 when she relocated from living overseas in Singapore.
"What I love about water aerobics is that it's the perfect medium for anyone to exercise in," she said. "Without gravity, your body has a natural buoyancy in the water which supports you in a way that land cannot. Therefore, a person is able to do many kinds of exercises in the water they find too challenging on land."
Since the weather in Singapore is tropical year-round, Barak came to the realization that she could help people have the best of both worlds by encouraging them to stay in shape while they stay cool in the water.
"It was the perfect place to have classes," she said. "Since most of the condominiums had pools, participants could be in the water, stay cool and exercise at the same time."
One of Barak's favorite incentives about teaching the class is that every Monday and Wednesday she gets to hop in the pool and exercise with her students.
"To me, water exercise can be more playful, relaxing and therapeutic than most land-based aerobic classes," she said. "I love to see people with all kinds of conditions come to the classes and be active in a way they couldn't be otherwise."
Before the class begins exercising, they warm up for approximately five minutes, Barak said. The main part of the class includes a combination of aerobics and body conditioning using a noodle or other aquatic exercise equipment to provide resistance.
Although the class takes place in the shallow and deep ends, participants who don't feel comfortable in deep water are more than welcome to continue with the class in the shallow end.
"I think most of the time they don't know how hard they've worked until they get out of the pool or maybe even the next day," Barak said. "They usually feel great afterwards because they know they've moved and worked their bodies without the stress on their joints."
Water aerobics is a good avenue for people who want to work out while putting less stress on their joints and muscles, Salinas said.
"Water aerobics is a non-weight-bearing exercise where water supports your weight instead of your lower extremities," he said. "It also provides a great deal of resistance in all directions for muscles to work against. This multidirectional resistance provides an excellent environment for rehabilitation."
Besides being great exercise, the water aerobics program can be beneficial in many other ways.
Barak said the class almost becomes a community in itself. She sees participants bond with each other and become friends.
"It's a very friendly, noncompetitive environment," she said.