After hosting aquatic exercise classes for over 20 years, Linda Bennett knows how to wade in the water. Her enthusiasm is apparent to anyone who watches the class, and the students credit Linda’s effervescent personality to their continual participation in the classes. Some courageous students have stayed with Linda’s classes for 28 years! Bennett’s certifications from the ACE, as well as Arthritis, Aquatic, and CPR certifications, accent her professionalism and allow her to be versatile with her exercise regiments. Using choreographed lessons to upbeat music and incorporating themes to liven the atmosphere (for example, I was informed that the Fourth of July session will be complete with small American flags and patriotic pool games!), Linda stresses the short and long term benefits of aquatic exercise. An immediate advantage to exercising aquatically is the intense buoyancy of the water. Water allows students to take the stress off their joints and use the resistance of the water to gain muscle strength. Water is typically accessible to all kinds of people, so water aerobics ensures a rigorous exercise without the pain that commonly accompanies a regular, non-water workout. The relaxing pool atmosphere soothes the fear of people who may feel slightly intimidated by a gym or less inclined to work out in front of others. A few of the long-term benefits of water aerobics include improved circulation and increased energy levels. Linda keeps the students lively in the water with fun dance routines; I had the privilege to watch an encore presentation of the ladies performing the water version of the YMCA! Each routine is designed to strengthen specific areas of the body; Linda will use techniques from memory recall games, to the “laughing game”, which causes the laughers to promote function of organs and core muscles. Pool balls are employed to assist in hand-eye coordination by tossing them to and fro between the students; this technique serves to speed up reaction times and emphasize cross training. When asked about her favorite part about the class, Linda swiftly replied that “making a difference [in the lives of the students] by helping people get strong and heal more quickly…” is what prompts her to continue with the classes. “When a student tells me that they are now able to do things with the grandkids, like walking around Disneyland,” Linda confides to me, “that’s the best part!” And her students adamantly agree; in the words of one student relaxing in the spa after the workout, “[Aquatic Exercise] is good for you! It keeps you with it! Linda’s positive encouragement pushes us to work hard.” Their diligent work pays off, because Linda reports positive results from exercise, such as students decreasing some of their medications, loss of burdensome weight, increased balanced, and a faster recovery rate from illnesses. Often, mothers and daughters will join the classes in order to be healthy and spend quality time together. If you are over age 18 and looking for a new community exercise experience, you will find Linda Bennett on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the pool within the Bouquet Canyon Senior Apartments. Join the crew for a hearty, mid-morning work out routine, and start on the fast track for renewed health!
For more information, contact Linda Bennett at 661-993-3969 or email lbnewhall@yahoo.com