Water aerobics more than just exercise at the Medford Pool

Water aerobic classes are often thought of as being a super intense workout with a very high difficulty level. However, the water aerobics class at the Medford Pool is far from that. 
“It is more of a relaxed water aerobics class. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about other classes where you can’t talk, but you can make this what you want of it,” said pool manager Olivia Full. “You can make it really difficult or easy going; it just depends on your personal preference.”
Full has been the pool manager for three summers now, but says the class was going on when she started working at the pool five years ago. 
The first class was held Monday, June 8, and runs Monday through Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m. or 8 to 9 p.m. through the end of August. 
The class is set up so participants can come and go as they please; Participants can attend sessions that fit in with their schedule with each session costing $2. 
Full says she enjoys teaching the course not only for the exercise, but also because it is a time to hang out and socialize with the participants. 
“I like hearing all the stuff they have to talk about. In the morning I learn a lot about how to garden,” she said. “I know most of the people that come and just being able to catch up with them is fun. It is fun seeing them come back each summer, and we have a whole years’ worth of stuff to catch up on.” 
Typically the morning sessions are busier than the evening sessions with around 10 to 12 participants versus seven to 10 participants. 
There are five instructors of the class, all of whom are the pool’s lifeguards. The class starts out with a warm up with exercises such as running or walking back and forth or grapevines in the pool. Then participants line up against the wall to do stretches and wall exercises. 
Then the group gathers in a circle to do various exercises such as different jumps and twists and some participants choose to add jugs or noodles for resistance to increase the exercise’s difficulty level. The class finishes off with exercises in the deep end of the pool and 10 minutes of free time to wind down. 
“We really like the pool, especially for the children, because there is not a whole lot else to do in Medford. We don’t have gyms, workout clubs or organized groups so this is a really nice option for those who don’t want to drive to Owatonna or Faribault every day,” Full said. 
Tuesdays and Fridays are open swim days so if participants wish to do exercises on their own, they can; otherwise a lifeguard or two is present to help lead the traditional class. 
Full recommends the course because, “It is easy to come and socialize, especially if you are from town or know the people that come. It is not super expensive, and it is more of a let’s go together thing than a let’s go kill ourselves at the gym.”
This year is participant Judy Schultz’s first time attending the course. So far she has been to every class and plans to continue attending five times a week. 
“I need exercise, fresh water, fresh air and the people are nice… it is fun,” she said. 
So far Schultz has enjoyed the exercise aspect as well as socializing with the other people and instructors.
Even though Schultz has not taken a water aerobics class previously, she finds this one to be pretty easy. “It is not very difficult. It is very easy if you just take your time, go slow and at your own pace,” she said. 
The most challenging part of the class for her has been keeping her balance in the water while doing the exercises. Schultz hopes that by taking the course, she will be able to lose some weight. 
This is participant Suzanne Thofson’s second year doing the class. She, similarly to Schultz, also tries to attend the class five days a week but sometimes comes in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings, depending on how she is feeling. 
Thofson says she enjoys the class because, “It is good exercise and it is easy on the joints. The camaraderie of the group makes it a lot of fun.” 
She recommends the class because it is a chance to spend some time outdoors while improving your health. She also says the class is set up so that anyone can participate, no matter what level they are at. 
“I think it is kind of geared for all levels. You can do the exercises to be more advanced by using resistance, or you don’t have to. It is geared at your pace, which is really nice,” Thofson said. 
Thofson plans to keep attending the course regularly throughout the summer and hopes to see  better muscle tone when it is over.