Water Fitness Class

A few months ago I would have sworn to you that I don't like group exercise classes and that speed walking or hiking are the only activities I really care to repeat often.  But I'm quickly falling in love with classes at the YMCA.  I love that somebody else figures out how to balance warm up, cardio, and cool down.  Somebody else worries about the right moves and repetitions to work all the major muscle groups.

I tried a water fitness class today.  Wow!  It was really fun and a great workout.  We did some running in the pool, but mostly we did various stretches and exercises that use water resistance to build muscle and raise the heart rate.  Sometimes we used floatie foam noodles for stability and also foam dumbbells to increase the workout.
(Here's a video about water fitness, if you're curious...  http://youtu.be/GfIVfibtHOs)

I loved the sound and embrace of the water.  I also loved that for a group workout, you feel sort of hidden; it was easier to be a newbie in this class.    I sort of anticipated a messy process when class is over, but actually my hair stayed dry because I put it in a bun and showering away from home went smoother than I thought.  Also, the Y has a bathing suit centrifuge!  Put your suit in, press down the lid, and it is spun almost dry.  Easy peasy.

I thought I'd just use the Y three days a week during Eli's preschool hours, but now I'm starting to think that the morning water fitness class and Child Watch Center is a great way to start the day on winter weekends.