fitness adventure 2016 — aqua zumba

In 2010, I did my first Avon walk with Beth, who happens to also be my manicurist. A few years later she was involved in a pedestrian accident while walking the dog. The dog didn't make it. Her knee was injured badly, and because she was too young, they pieced it back together instead of replacing it. (And you wonder why I have a low opinion of doctors.) Heaven forbid they use logic.

Anyway, in the intervening years, she is in a lot of pain and has difficulty walking any distance. She moves less and less and therefore is gaining a lot of weight. It's a lose-lose situation.

When she posted on Facebook that she wanted to take an Aqua Zumba class at the municipal (outside) pool, I immediately told her I'd come. It's two bucks, Monday's and Fridays, at 6:30. But she lives in Lopatcong, NJ. It's not exactly a five minute drive. But I went. It's been a long time since my last fitness adventure.

The original plan was Friday. But then there was storms and it was cancelled.

So we did the class last night. I think her group ended up being about 6. There was maybe 30 people there. 85% were middle aged or older. 95% were well overweight. We took up a good portion of the pool. And we had our own lifeguard.


As with regular Zumba, I am not coordinated in water. However, you can hide it better in the pool. There is a very long lag time ... at least for me .... in water. I found myself walking side to side, or marching, and just doing the arm movements. But I can do squats and jump. That was so exciting.

I learned that the water bottle needs to be at the edge of the pool, not on the table with your stuff.

When I got out of the pool I had jelly legs ... I must have been something correct. I left the pool walking like I was drunk. 

I liked it enough to do it again. I came home and looked it up online. The closest is the Y. Many are at membership facilities. But there are a few at community pools. Some slightly closer than Lopatcong—Emmaus, Macungie and Coplay. I was hoping for Fountain Hill or Memorial. There is also a class at Rodale Pool at Cedar Crest. That's a pay as you go place. So perhaps.

Really, nothing beats exercising AND watching the sun set.