Water aerobics at the YMCA | Review

Tired of sitting in front of the tube feeling like a slug? Want something to do that makes you feel great, is fun and is good for you? I've got just the answer - water aerobics at the YMCA.

Participating in water aerobics at the Y feels like playing for grown-ups. No more dread of being hot, sweaty and miserable. You stay cool while you exercise in the pool. Movement in the water is also great for joint and arthritis issues.

Worried about wearing a bathing suit in public in front of strangers? No sweat. At water aerobics, we are all shapes and sizes, both young and old. Besides, your body is underwater and nobody cares what you look like. There are very few Barbies.

Did I mention the class is fun? My favorite water aerobics class, Aqua dance, incorporates music. Our instructor, Angie, plays everything from "Respect" by Aretha Franklin to "Cake By The Ocean" by DNCE. We jam, sing and burn calories all against the resistance of the water.

Water aerobics improves flexibility and is a good all-around cardiorespiratory workout. You can expect to burn 30 percent more calories than a conventional floor workout.

So get up off that couch, join the Y and try water aerobics. Warning: it's addictive.

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Ellen Bahm is a physical education teacher at Coral Ridge Elementary School in Fairdale, Ky. When she isn't in the water, she likes to watch UK basketball and play with her grandson, Cal.