Mid-level Exercise Class in the Water 

Who likes Water 2: Intermediate Water Aerobics classes? 

Water 2: Intermediate Water Aerobics is a class is for women and men ages 18 years and older. This class is appropriate for all adults who enjoy the water. It is a safer option for people who want to get back into exercise after an injury or surgery. Although water may be the preferable option for people to exercise while they heal from surgery, most participants are not under medical care. It’s also a safe exercise for pregnant women. Because water exercise is easy on your joints, many seniors enjoy this popular class.  

What is a Water 2: Intermediate Water Aerobics class? 

Water 2 is a mid-level water class that is more intense than the beginner Aqua Basics, but not as intense as the Water 3: Water Aerobics class that is similar to HydroHIIT. This joint friendly workout will increase your mobility with some cardiovascular intensity but low impact on your joints.  

Some instructors may do some interval training with timed rounds and/or repetitions. Each instructor has their own style; if you are looking for variety in your workouts, feel free to try this class with different instructors if it works for your schedule.  

You can expect some exercises to require travel in the pool, and some exercises ask you to remain stationary as you incorporate a little bit of balance and mobility work, some strength training and even a hint of cardiovascular training.  

Grounding exercises that require you to ground your feet to the floor while you do upper body movements truly engage your core and maximize water resistance. The upper body movements may use your own bodyweight or external water exercise equipment like pool noodles or aqua bells, which are water-safe dumbbells. Some instructors might include different lower body movements with the use of resistance bands under water.  

Isolation movements will focus on the use of one muscle group at a time. Some isolation exercises are bicep curls or triceps pushdowns using aqua bells. On the other hand, if your instructor leads exercises that engage both your upper- and lower-body muscles at the same time, these are called compound movements. Examples of compound exercises might be pendulum variations, rocking horse variations, punch and kick, cross country skiing or jumps with a shoulder press.  

Then there are isometrics, which are more of a holding exercise, where you ground your feet and have a dumbbell in each hand. You turn the dumbbells to neutral positions, slowly push your arms under water and hold still for a number of seconds. This provides resistance and engages your core as the water constantly tries to buoy the aqua bells and push your arms up to float. 

Water 2 might involve a minimal amount of plyometric exercises where you are instructed to jump. You’ll engage your leg muscles for star jumps, basketball shooters, power jacks, rocket ships, heel click jumps, tuck jumps and more. Plyometrics provide benefit for your cardiovascular health, alongside instructions to run place or travel run in the water. 

You'll use every muscle group in each class, with a lot of core work every time you move against the water. You’ll tone and strengthen your upper-body muscles: deltoids (shoulders), triceps, biceps, chest, back and core; along with your lower-body muscles: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves. 

Water 2 is not prechoreographed and loud music may or may not be used. At the end of the class, you’ll do about five minutes of cooldown exercises, which consist of stretches, relaxation moves and mobility movements, all of which help the body to relax and recover. 

Where and when does the class meet? 

Water 2: Intermediate Water Aerobics classes meet at the pool at the North, South and Bossier WK Fitness & Wellness Centers that are more than just a gym. Find a location and a class that works for you on our interactive class schedule on this website.  

Why do Water 2: Intermediate Water Exercise? 

Water 2 is an intermediate class that has many benefits, including cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, core strength and mobility. Water work challenges your balance, so you’ll see improvements there, also. This is a safe way to exercise if you like being in the water. If you have certain limitations from an injury or surgery, this class is a good option for you.  

Community is especially big in water classes like this. Members constantly encourage each other to improve their overall fitness. Socialization is a great benefit, in addition to all the physical benefits you'll get from this class.  

Water aerobics classes are allowed two lanes if less than ten participants are in the class and three lanes if ten or more participants are present for the class.