Water Aerobics for Full Body Exercise 

Who likes aqua fusion classes?

Aqua fusion is a fun water workout class for men and women ages 18 and older that is easy on the joints. Alternate instructors each week to focus on your cardio health and strength through many different exercises in the pool. 

What is an aqua fusion class?

Aqua fusion is a water aerobics exercise class that has a lot of similarities to aqua dance. However, in this class the instructor leads basic athletic movements, not dance moves, choreographed to music in the pool. If you want to exercise in the water but you don’t want to dance, this class is suitable for you. Members find the class enjoyable as the instructor leads challenging but easy-to-follow movements that make every workout fun. Regardless of your physical abilities, your instructor can use regressed variation to modify any exercise to fit your needs. 

An instructor takes participants through a basic warm up before moving to cardiovascular or strength exercises. While in the pool, participants run to song, jump to song, do jumping jacks, move arms, swing legs, kick legs and more. Mastering these activities while remaining stationary in the water are some of the best exercises for core strength. In addition to your core, other muscles worked in each class include biceps, triceps, shoulders, back muscles, glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves.  

Some strength movements are isolation exercises that target one specific muscle group at a time. For example, you might do a triceps extension with an aqua dumbbell, or bicep curls. Pool noodles are another piece of exercise equipment some instructors use in the water. Other movements are called compound exercises, like punching and kicking at the same time, or a jump with shoulder presses. Leg muscles are exercised in this water aerobics exercise class when they run in place in the water.

The background music is fun and familiar to participants. It includes oldies and rock and roll – musical favorites from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and beyond. When participants hear music they enjoy, it often distracts them from the ongoing exercise and allows them to have fun moving at a higher intensity than normal. Very little speaking, or verbal queuing, happens as the class is mostly led to the beat of the music. Verbal queues that may be heard include, “jump,” “ground,” “keep it going,” or “keep it there.” The instructor mostly uses hand queues and points their fingers in a direction participants need to move as they adapt their speed to changes in the music. 

Near the end of the workout there is a brief cool down that helps participants relax and recover from the workout they just did with flexibility and relaxation movements. This part of class may include both traveling and stationary exercises. 

Where and when does the class meet? 

Aqua fusion is a 50-minute class where participants meet in a WK Fitness & Wellness Center pool to do water aerobics. Check out the interactive schedule on this website to find a class that fits your schedule.  

Why do aqua fusion? 

Come check out this class if you want to do aerobic exercise off the floor due to an injury (like a knee or back injury) that limits your mobility. A full body workout in water is easier on your joints and has less impact on your body than on land. You can finally do some resistance training that is joint friendly and creates less stress on your body. This full body workout routine benefits your balance, muscles, heart health, hip mobility, thoracic mobility and more.  

Another great benefit is you get to be part of a great fitness family. Class members become friends, smiling and singing along with the music as they hold each other accountable to regular exercise. A healthy community is an important part of overall wellness and can stack the odds in your favor for an increased healthy longevity.