Travelling methods
Practise, practise and then practise the move
some more, in the water.
Too little buoyancy
Fact: Too little buoyancy (whether in
equipment, body composition or lack of
water familiarisation skills) may create bad
‘survival’ techniques – struggling rather than
steaming ahead.
Implication: Lean participants often feel
more comfortable wearing two buoyancy
belts. It may sound strange, but it can be
effective for two thinner buoyancy belts to be
worn, one clipped forward and one clipped
at the back. This is only recommended until
the participant learns how to tread water
and use effective aqua hand movements to
aid buoyancy. Water familiarisation is part of
the process.
Music
Fact: It may be more challenging than
with shallow water workouts, but deep
water workouts can be structured easily,
and mapped as well as choreographed, to
appropriate music.
Implication: The key to keeping participants
on the beat in the deep is to plan, prepare
and practise prior to demonstrating.
Intensity
Fact: Deep water workouts can be taught at
low, medium and high intensity levels to suit
a variety of population groups.
Implication: It is your responsibility
to familiarise yourself with the tips and
techniques necessary to modify the intensity.
Fact: Using only one travelling method
restricts the likelihood of delivering a total
body workout.
Implication: Include a variety of travelling
techniques that recruit various muscle
groups. Options include: the 15° forward
lean, as in sprinting action; feet pushing
back; bicycle peddling action; and a long
lever straight(er) leg action.
You can’t just apply the same workout
plan to a deep water class as you can to a
shallow water class. With a little planning,
some modifications and plenty of time spent
practicing the exercises in the water, however,
you can create a stimulating workout that
uses the differences of the deep to your
participants’ fitness advantage.
Jennifer Schembri-Portelli, aka ‘JSP’, has been active
in the fitness and aquatic industry for over 25 years. A
skilled and creative presenter, she also founded Water
Exercise Training Service (WETS), an education provider
whose aqua fitness qualifications are now delivered in
partnership with AUSTSWIM. wets.com.au
EDUCATION
INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION
TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
Research suggests that if children do not reach a degree of physical competence by the
time they reach grade 6 at school, they are not only less likely to play sport throughout their
adolescence, but their motor skill development will be hindered, potentially impacting their lives
socially and functionally.
Discover how you can help to improve the fundamental movement skills of your young clients in
Network’s latest 7-CEC course ‘Developing Fit Futures: Exercise for Children and Adolescents’.
Delivered entirely online – anywhere, anytime – this course is a must for any fitness professional
working with children.
1300 493 832 | FITNESSNETWORK.COM.AU/CECS
Network Education – creating a fitter, healthier new generation
ORBERS
F
5 EM
0 M
$E1TWORK
N
NETWORK SUMMER 2014 | 61