AQUACISE,
by Lindsey Hartment
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This is an inclusive fitness class, which helps all individual to
become more physically fit. It will consist of any people who would
like to participate. There is equipment available to aid any persons
with or without disabilities. |
 |
This is a
fitness class for all levels, adaptations to stokes and exercises
can be made and further facilitated by use of equipment. i.e.: hand
paddles, kick boards, or fins. |
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This class
if open for university students of any gender. On average there are
15-20 people who attend each class. We have 2-4 individuals with disabilities
who attend class almost every week. One of the students has mild CP
on her left side, she walks and runs with a slight limp
and her left hand is in a brace. She is an extremely skilled swimmer
who loves the water. Another student has a below the elbow amputation,
and uses an adapted hand paddle to assist when he swims laps. |
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Basic swimming
skills are required for this class. |
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Facility needed
– large pool, including steps, wheel chair lift, and a lifeguard
|
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Equipment
needed – noodles, balls, kickboards, fins, hand paddles |
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The goal of this class is to teach exercise techniques
in the comfort of the water, this will include
cardio, strength and flexibility training, and muscle specific stretches
and exercises. |
DAILY LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES
Day 1: Upper Body
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min -Water
toning/strengthening training: 18 min - Cool down: 4 min
Warm up:
basic arm loops in the water - Stand with
the water up to the shoulders, relax, and let your arms float. Turn your
right elbow and then bring it up and towards the front midline of the
chest. Continue the loop outwards and take the elbow around the side toward
the midline of the back of the chest. The second loop is continued until
the elbow and arm are back to the starting position. Repeat 8 times, and
then switch to the left side.
Knee Bouncing - Stand straight and use the
side of the pool to support your back. Bounce one knee towards your chest.
Return that foot to the floor and then bounce the other knee. Repeat 8
times.
Warm-up laps, in which ever style you choose.
Swim 4 laps.
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Shoulder Stretch - Take your right hand and,
going over your shoulder, place it as far down your back as possible.
Place your left hand on your right elbow and push backward. You should
feel the stretch in your right shoulder area. Switch arms and repeat 8
times.
Upper Back Stretch - Clasp your hands together
in front of your body. Straighten your elbows, keeping your hands clasped
and your palms facing outward. Let your shoulders shift forward, and push
your hands out away from your body. You should feel a stretch in your
upper back area. Repeat 8 times.
Water toning/strengthening training:
Hand Presses - Press the palms of your hands
together on the surface of the water and release. Repeat 10 times.
Pushing a floater down. Hold a floater, or
ball, in front of you and push it down until your arms are fully extended.
Then, while still holding the floater, slowly let your arms come up to
the surface. Repeat 10 times.
Wall dips- with you back to the wall, use
the wall to push you body out of the water. Repeat 10 times.
Biceps curls – using a water weight,
start with weight underwater, curl up to the shoulders, bring weight slowly
back down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Triceps extensions – in the shallow
end, using a step or the floor, get on knees, starting with the weight
under water bring the weight up to the head, then bring the weight back
down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Chest fly: holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms like a T, bring arms together in front of chest,
push arms back to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Back Fly: holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms together in from of chest, push arms backwards into
a T position, then pull back to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Cool-down:
Laps- Swim 2 slow-relaxing laps.
Relaxing Shoulder Rolls - Stand with the water up to the shoulders and
relax. Let your arms float on the water in front of you. Roll your shoulders
upward, backward, downward, and forward. Your extended, but relaxed, arms
will passively follow this movement. Repeat these movements in reverse
rotation. Repeat 8 times
Day 2: Cardio
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min - Cardio: 18 min - Cool down: 4 min
Warm-up:
Laps - start with 4 slow laps of any style
Water lunges- just as one would be preformed
on land. Repeat 8 times on each side.
Walking laps- Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
3 times
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Shoulder Stretch - Take your right hand and,
going over your shoulder, place it as far down your back as possible.
Place your left hand on your right elbow and push backward. You should
feel the stretch in your right shoulder area. Switch arms and repeat 8
times.
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Repeat 8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Cardio:
Laps - swim 4 moderate laps
Aqua jogging - run in place or laps up and
down the pool. Run for 10 minutes or 12 laps.
Laps - swim 4 vigorous laps
Cool-down:
Walking laps - Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
4 times
Day 3: Lower Body
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min - Water toning/strengthening training:
18 min- Cool down: 4 min
Warm up:
Walking laps - Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
2 times
Jog laps - Jog 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
2 times
Water lunges - just as one would be preformed
on land. Repeat 8 times on each side.
Stretching:
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Repeat 8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Water toning/strengthening training:
Water squats - Stand in water with feet apart.
Bend knees and push the hips back just like sitting on a chair. Bend till
your knees are behind your toes. Repeat 15 times.
Supine kicking - laying supine, kick backwards,
without using your arms, and with out letting your knees break the surface.
Complete 10 laps
Hip/leg Exercise - Hold on to the pool’s
edge with both hands and float both legs out behind you. Move legs alternately,
without bending the knees, in a flutter kick. Kick for a minute. Rest,
and then repeat.
Do the complete sequence while on your back, then on each side. Repeat
the entire sequence 8 times.
Walking on noodle - Once standing on the
noodle, take small steps from one side to the other side of the floater.
To maintain your balance, you need to turn your feet as you move. This
activity improves balance, muscle strength, and flexibility. Walk the
length of the noodle and back 8 times.
Cool-down:
Laps - Swim 4 slow/relaxing laps.
Underwater lunges – repeat lunges on
each leg, 8 times
Day 4: Cardio
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min - Cardio: 18 min - Cool down: 4 min
Laps - start with 4 slow laps of any style
Water lunges - just as one would be preformed
on land. Repeat 8 times on each side.
Walking laps - Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
3 times
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Shoulder Stretch - Take your right hand and,
going over your shoulder, place it as far down your back as possible.
Place your left hand on your right elbow and push backward. You should
feel the stretch in your right shoulder area. Switch arms and repeat 8
times.
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Repeat 8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Cardio:
Laps: swim 4 moderate laps
Aqua jogging: run in place or laps up and
down the pool. Run for 10 minutes or 12 laps.
Laps: swim 4 vigorous laps
Cool-down:
Walking laps: Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
4 times
Day 5: Total Body
Warm up: 4 min - Stretching: 5 min – Total Body Exercises: 18
min - Cool down: 3 min
Warm-up:
Basic arm loops in the water - Stand with
the water up to the shoulders, relax, and let your arms float. Turn your
right elbow and then bring it up and towards the front midline of the
chest. Continue the loop outwards and take the elbow around the side toward
the midline of the back of the chest. The second loop is continued until
the elbow and arm are back to the starting position. Repeat 8 times, and
then switch to the left side.
Laps - Swim 4 laps
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Side Stretch - Clasp your hands together
over your head with your arms slightly bent. Facing forward, bend to the
right at the waist. You should feel the stretch on the right side of your
torso. Return to the standing position with your hands above your head,
and do the same to the left. Repeat 8 times.
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Repeat 8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Total body Exercise:
Knee Bouncing - Stand straight and use the
side of the pool to support your back. Bounce one knee towards your chest.
Return that foot to the floor and then bounce the other knee. Repeat 8
times.
Water squats - Stand in water with feet apart.
Bend knees and push the hips back just like sitting on a chair. Bend till
your knees are behind your toes. Repeat 15 times.
Supine kicking: laying supine, kick backwards, without using your arms,
and with out letting your knees break the surface. Complete 10 laps
Wall dips - with you back to the wall, use
the wall to push you body out of the water. Repeat 10 times.
Biceps curls – using a water weight,
start with weight underwater, curl up to the shoulders, bring weight slowly
back down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Triceps extensions – in the shallow
end, using a step or the floor, get on knees, starting with the weight
under water bring the weight up to the head, then bring the weight back
down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Chest fly - holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms like a T, bring arms together in front of chest,
push arms back to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Back Fly - holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms together in from of chest, push arms backwards into
a T position, and then pull back to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Cool - down:
Laps - Swim 2 cool-down laps
Relaxing Shoulder Rolls - Stand with the
water up to the shoulders and relax. Let your arms float on the water
in front of you. Roll your shoulders upward, backward, downward, and forward.
Your extended, but relaxed, arms will passively follow this movement.
Repeat these movements in reverse rotation. Repeat 8 times
Day 6: Deep Water Cardio
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min - Cardio: 18 min - Cool down: 4 min
Warm-up:
Laps: start with 4 slow laps of any style
Water lunges - just as one would be preformed
on land. Repeat 8 times on each side.
Walking laps: Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
3 times
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Shoulder Stretch - Take your right hand and,
going over your shoulder, place it as far down your back as possible.
Place your left hand on your right elbow and push backward. You should
feel the stretch in your right shoulder area. Switch arms and repeat 8
times.
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Repeat 8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Deep Water Cardio:
Laps: swim 4 moderate laps
Kicking w/o fins: swim 2 laps using only
kicks- (use hands or kickboard only if needed for balance)
Deep Water Running: run in place, never letting
the feet hit the ground. Run for 10 minutes
Laps: swim 4 vigorous laps
Cool-down:
Walking laps: Walk 2 laps in the pool. Repeat
2
Head Tilt - Slowly tilt your head from the
center to one side. Then tilt it to the other side and return your head
to the center.
Head Turn - Turn your head to one side and
then to the center, then to the other side and back to the center again.
Day 7: Upper Body
Warm up: 5 min - Stretching: 3 min - Water toning/strengthening training:
18 min Cool down: 4 min
Warm up:
Basic arm loops in the water - Stand with
the water up to the shoulders, relax, and let your arms float. Turn your
right elbow and then bring it up and towards the front midline of the
chest. Continue the loop outwards and take the elbow around the side toward
the midline of the back of the chest. The second loop is continued until
the elbow and arm are back to the starting position. Repeat 8 times, and
then switch to the left side.
Laps -Warm-up laps, in which ever style you
choose. Swim 4 laps.
Stretching:
Upper Arm Stretch - Cross your right arm
across your chest toward your left side, keeping your elbow straight.
With the inside of your left elbow or your left hand, push your right
arm back toward your body. Switch arms and repeat 8 times.
Shoulder Stretch - Take your right hand and,
going over your shoulder, place it as far down your back as possible.
Place your left hand on your right elbow and push backward. You should
feel the stretch in your right shoulder area. Switch arms and repeat 8
times.
Upper Back Stretch - Clasp your hands together
in front of your body. Straighten your elbows, keeping your hands clasped
and your palms facing outward. Let your shoulders shift forward, and push
your hands out away from your body. You should feel a stretch in your
upper back area. Repeat 8 times.
Water toning/strengthening training:
Hand Presses - Press the palms of your hands
together on the surface of the water and release. Repeat 10 times.
Pushing a floater down - Hold a floater,
or ball, in front of you and push it down until your arms are fully extended.
Then, while still holding the floater, slowly let your arms come up to
the surface. Repeat 10 times.
Toning Exercises: arms and shoulder- Stand
in water at shoulder level. Extend your arms on each side below the water
level. Make small vigorous circles with your arms, ten each, forward and
backward.
Stand in water at chest level. Extend one arm forward, one back, imitating
a swimmer doing a crawl stroke. Continue for 3 minutes.
Biceps curls – using a water weight,
start with weight underwater, curl up to the shoulders, bring weight slowly
back down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Triceps extensions – in the shallow
end, using a step or the floor, get on knees, starting with the weight
under water bring the weight up to the head, then bring the weight back
down under the water. Repeat 10 times.
Chest fly: holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms like a T, bring arms together in front of chest,
push arms back to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Back Fly: holding a weight half way below
the water, with arms together in from of chest, push arms backwards into
a T position, then pull back to starting position. Repeat 10 times
Cool-down:
Laps: Swim 2 slow-relaxing laps.
Relaxing Shoulder Rolls - Stand with the
water up to the shoulders and relax. Let your arms float on the water
in front of you. Roll your shoulders upward, backward, downward, and forward.
Your extended, but relaxed, arms will passively follow this movement.
Repeat these movements in reverse rotation. Repeat 8 times
Day 8: Lower Body and Balance/Flexibility
Warm up: 4 min - Stretching: 2 min – Water toning/strengthening
training: 21 min - Cool down: 3 min
Warm up:
Swim 2 laps Walk 2 laps Run 2 laps
Stretching:
Hamstring Stretch - Stand with your feet
slightly apart (about 6 inches). Bend over at the waist and let your upper
body hang down. Reach your hands toward the ground. You can bend your
knees slightly. For a deeper stretch, grasp your calves and gently pull
your upper body toward your legs. You should feel the stretch in your
hamstring area, or the back of your thighs. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Thigh Stretch - Stand with your feet slightly
apart. Bend your right foot back and up toward your buttocks, and grasp
it with your right hand. Balancing on your left leg, pull your right foot
up with your right hand. To help you balance, pick a stationary spot in
front of you to stare at and lift your free arm out to the side. You should
feel the stretch in your thigh. Release and switch sides. Switch and repeat
8 times.
Calf Stretch - Stand with right leg straight
and behind you. Your left leg should be bent in front of you. Place most
of your weight onto your left leg. Push the heel of your right foot down
toward the ground, and slightly shift your weight back keeping your torso
upright. You should feel a stretch in your right calf. For a deeper stretch,
you can face a wall and push against it for leverage. Release and repeat
on the opposite side. Switch and repeat 8 times.
Water toning/strengthening training:
Sitting on a floater- Sit on a floater as
if you are sitting on a swing. Bring both knees upward toward the chest
and then push them outward again. Repeat 12 times.
Standing on a floater - Begin in a sitting
position on the floater and then bring your feet up and move into a squatting
position on the floater. Push the floater down to the pool floor and stand
on it. Repeat 12 times.
Flexibility Exercise: Stand in water at shoulder
level. Lean sideways or backwards against the side of the pool. Balance
on one foot, while raising the opposite knee towards your chest. Grasp
with both your hands and gently pull it into the upper body, stretching
muscles of the hip, thigh and back. Release and repeat with the other
leg. Repeat 12 times.
Water squats: Stand in water with feet apart.
Bend knees and push the hips back just like sitting on a chair. Bend till
your knees are behind your toes. Repeat 15 times.
Supine kicking: laying supine, kick backwards,
without using your arms, and with out letting your knees break the surface.
Complete 4 laps
Hip/leg Exercise - Hold on to the pool’s
edge with both hands and float both legs out behind you. Move legs alternately,
without bending the knees, in a flutter kick. Kick for a minute. Rest,
and then repeat.
Do the complete sequence while on your back, then on each side. Repeat
the entire sequence 8 times.
Walking on noodle. Once standing on the noodle,
take small steps from one side to the other side of the floater. To maintain
your balance, you need to turn your feet as you move. This activity improves
balance, muscle strength, and flexibility. Walk the length of the noodle
and back 8 times.
Cool-down:
Laps - Swim 4 slow/relaxing laps.
Underwater lunges – repeat lunges on
each leg, 8 times
Relaxing Shoulder Rolls - Stand with the
water up to the shoulders and relax. Let your arms float on the water
in front of you. Roll your shoulders upward, backward, downward, and forward.
Your extended, but relaxed, arms will passively follow this movement.
Repeat these movements in reverse rotation. Repeat 8 times
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