ATHLETICS
WATER FITNESS
Glide Into Fitness With Paddleboard Class New class merges traditional group exercise with a stand-up paddleboard
Y
ou don’t have to be in the water to get a workout at the Sun Deck Pool. MAC’s newest water fitness class marries stand-up paddleboarding with traditional exercises to create a routine that helps you increase balance, strengthen underused muscles, have fun and, on occasion, still get wet. The Glide CardioWave water fitness class – a registration-only class – is already a favorite among the water fitness faithful and those curious about SUP.
It Starts with SUP Just standing on a paddleboard can be tricky. Now try keeping your balance while in the downward dog pose, or doing a burpee or jump lunge. Of course, falling from the inflatable-yet-sturdy paddleboards into the water happens, and that’s part of the fun. Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, originated in Hawaii in the 1940s, but has seen a surge in growth over the past decade as a new generation took the sport from the sea into rivers and lakes. Now, classes are popping up to teach yoga and other fitness exercises atop these floating boards in the controlled environment of a pool.
Building better balance Everything you do in life takes balance, from sitting in a chair to walking in the park to complex movements like mountain biking or skiing. You might take these things for granted; yet, functional
62 | The Wınged M |
JANUARY 2018
balance is fundamental to well-being, strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Aquatic Based Stability/Balance Training (ABST) is a new way to improve all aspects of your physical wellness. And long-term health benefits for the cardiovascular and immune systems. Exercises done in class allow you to slowly transition your body into new stages of movement, control and more challenging body positions. The water provides support for your body when you fall, emphasizes good alignment and posture, and allows those with physical limitations or injuries to enjoy the benefits. Participants can do this in pools, year round, without worrying about waves from a passing boat or debris in local waterways. Plus, lifeguards are always on duty. The Glide CardioWave class brings a new level of excitement and novelty that breaks down barriers and places everyone in the same state of vulnerability. Class runs in six-week sessions from 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $120 a session. Space is limited. The boards are hooked on lane lines with a bungee cord and carabiner to make sure no one drifts away. You will get wet. Be prepared to fall in! If you have any questions, please email Water Fitness Supervisor Lisa Best at lbest@themac.com. If you are unsure of your ability to climb up on the board, reach out to Lisa and she will put a board in the water for you to try. –Lisa Best WM