Belt or no belt...
Feb. 24th, 2012 11:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
susandennisEvery deep end aqua exercise class starts off with the donning of the flotation belt. All the instructors tell you to put one on. They are not that comfortable but not that bad. Everyone else in the class loves 'em cause they keep them afloat. One guy in my Tuesday/Thursday class always wears two! He says this year is his year to learn how to swim.
Between my natural buoyancy (aka massive body fat) and my excellent swimming skills, I don't need one. I *think* I get a better workout if I use my muscles to keep me up and in the correct posture instead of relying on the belt/crutch.
But, what in the heck do I know???
When I ask an instructor, I get 'the belt is important to keep you afloat and enable you to maintain good posture'. But, I say, I can get both of those things without one. Do I need one anyway? 'If you don't think you need it then....' None of them really seem to know.
A look around websites shows that nearly every one I can find on aqua exercise/jogging/gym/etc, says the belt is essential. BUT they all sell belts. So today I found the AEA - Aqua Exercise Association website and it had a list of certified trainers and I picked about 6 and sent them each an email asking.
I'll be interested to see what info I get back, if any.
Also while I was pounding around looking, I found the website of a *local* store that sells serious swim stuff (as opposed to suits that make you look good on the beach). It's at Northgate (an area I often land in after swim class on Saturdays). I'm going to have to drop by sometime and check it out.
Work had me chewing off my hands until late last night. I finally figured out the issue (and that it wasn't me - thankyoujesus - and got the problem confirmed at 10 pm). Today things are slow and I am grateful for the break.
I think I'll just have me a pre-swim banana (in a losing attempt to quash foot cramps) and then hit the pool early today.
Between my natural buoyancy (aka massive body fat) and my excellent swimming skills, I don't need one. I *think* I get a better workout if I use my muscles to keep me up and in the correct posture instead of relying on the belt/crutch.
But, what in the heck do I know???
When I ask an instructor, I get 'the belt is important to keep you afloat and enable you to maintain good posture'. But, I say, I can get both of those things without one. Do I need one anyway? 'If you don't think you need it then....' None of them really seem to know.
A look around websites shows that nearly every one I can find on aqua exercise/jogging/gym/etc, says the belt is essential. BUT they all sell belts. So today I found the AEA - Aqua Exercise Association website and it had a list of certified trainers and I picked about 6 and sent them each an email asking.
I'll be interested to see what info I get back, if any.
Also while I was pounding around looking, I found the website of a *local* store that sells serious swim stuff (as opposed to suits that make you look good on the beach). It's at Northgate (an area I often land in after swim class on Saturdays). I'm going to have to drop by sometime and check it out.
Work had me chewing off my hands until late last night. I finally figured out the issue (and that it wasn't me - thankyoujesus - and got the problem confirmed at 10 pm). Today things are slow and I am grateful for the break.
I think I'll just have me a pre-swim banana (in a losing attempt to quash foot cramps) and then hit the pool early today.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-02-24 09:24 pm (UTC)