Why water aerobics is a great option for getting fit

Submitted by Johnston Health

When you’re driving past Holts Lake in Smithfield, you might see lakeside resident Johnnie Sue Lee riding her water trike.

At 66, the retired nurse is feeling her best ever, thanks to HealthQuest, the fitness and wellness center she joined 12 years ago. She got her start in the pool, believing water would be the kindest environment.

At the time, she was 54 years old. She was also “overweight and a couch potato,” she said, and afraid of dying with the same chronic illnesses that plagued her mother. It was her husband, Sherwood, who suggested a membership to the local wellness center.

In the water, and over time, she gained strength, confidence and new friends. With coaching from the staff, she changed her diet, set fitness goals and began losing weight.

They held her accountable, she said, and also showed great concern for her well-being.

“I was hooked,” she added. “The certified trainers were knowledgeable and provided structure. They look at every member as a whole person, not just a body.”

Six years in, she began teaching water aerobics as a way to give back to the community.

“When I first started in the pool, I couldn’t swim even 12 yards,” she said. “Now I can swim a mile in 39 minutes.”

Along the way, she’s lost 100 pounds and several dress sizes.

“I can’t say that HealthQuest saved my life. But it sure saved the quality of my life,” she said.

Recently, Lee talked with a client about what he could expect from his membership at the wellness center.

“You’ve found the best place you can be,” she told him. “A place where people can be supportive, where you don’t have to be lonely, where you’ll meet friends you can’t find anywhere else.”

What are the benefits of working out in the water? Here are the top five:

• Improved cardiovascular strength, physical endurance and flexibility.

• Enhanced balance, coordination and muscle tone.

• Aid in recovering from injuries and chronic conditions.

• Relaxation for your brain, boosted mental health and improved sleep.

• Reduced stress, anxiety and depression.