Participants jump into health and happiness at the outdoor Powassan community pool
Not everyone enjoys exercising, but the smiles and giggles coming from the newly renovated Powassan Lions Community Pool on a Monday or Wednesday night indicate that the aquafit program is a hit.
The fact that the classes are held at the outdoor pool brings the experience to the next level.
“It’s so much fun. We’ve got the sunshine, and everybody is in a good mood. It’s summertime, it’s party time, it’s holiday time,” grinned instructor Cathy Rowe.
“People really love it; they’re excited to find out it is an outdoor pool. So, it is kind of like they’re off to the cottage when they come here.”
There is a steady tidal wave of participants who travel from across the area to participate in the twice-weekly classes.
“We’ve got people coming from North Bay, South River, Trout Creek, Bonfield, Astorville, and, of course, Powassan. They’re all coming here for the summer experience,” stated Rowe.
The concept is easy enough.
“Everyone gets in the water; the pool is heated. We get in, we warm up, we do some cardio. The most important muscle we have is our heart, and then we take out the equipment, mostly pool noodles. They’re professional ones, and I’ve been told they’re the equivalent of lifting 20-pound dumbbells because you have the water to resist you,” explained Rowe.
“So, anybody that’s got any issues with body mobility, the water will support them, but it will also give them some resistance, so they get a good workout.”
Lisa Harwood attends classes regularly and is one of those people with mobility issues who is benefiting from the workout.
“The water is there to help you stay up. I have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, and this seems to help.”
Harwood credits her friend Donna Turgeon for motivating her to get out and get active.
“We’re co-workers and actually, it worked out really well because we’re in a stressful environment and this is a good stress reliever,” Harwood explained.
“I enjoy the fresh air, and there’s a lot of laughs because a lot of the things you’re trying to do in the pool are like ‘this isn’t working, I’m not coordinated enough to do this,’ but you try your best. Sometimes we see equipment flying, especially the flutter boards. They like to launch themselves every once in a while as you try to lie on them,” laughed Harwood.
Friend Donna Turgeon experiences both the mental and physical benefits that outdoor aquafit offers.
“The exercise, the social gain of it, and just coming out and enjoying it. I come out twice a week, normally when it is warm, but I liked it so much that I’ve been coming on the cooler nights too,” grinned Turgeon.
Her preference is the outdoor classes versus the indoor aqua fit classes.
“Just the sun, the fresh air, and, believe it or not, the coolness. It is enjoyable, and you work at your own pace. So, for a good time and good laughs, you can come and just relax. I go home, take a nice warm shower, and then go right to bed and get a good night’s rest. I sleep great afterwards.”
It is also a social outing for many in the group.
“It’s wonderful. Most of them come with a friend or two, or three, and everybody is always happy, they’re laughing, they’re kidding each other, “stated Rowe.
The participants tend to be older adults, mostly women.
“I would say 60ish, give or take five years on either side, but I’ve got some young folks coming in that are in their 30s, almost 40s, and I’ve got some grandmas who are in their 70s and 80s.”
All agree that there is something freeing about doing aquafit outdoors.
“I feel like as my group ages, including me, we actually come for the benefits, not just for the fun, for the workout for our body, to keep it moving, to stay mobile, to stay well. The social commitments are really, really important too because a lot of people are isolated, they live in the country, they’re out in the middle of nowhere. So, to gather with their best friend, or their niece, or their daughter, is always a big deal to come in to. It is social and physical.”
The classes are held on a drop-in basis, running from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“It is $5, we’ve got to pay for those lifeguards. We work out for an hour and then they have a half hour free swim, and that’s their social time,” Rose pointed out.
As Turgeon noted, don’t think twice about joining the group, just jump right in with both feet.
“It is enjoyable, and you work at your own pace. So, for a good time and good laughs, you can come and just relax,” said Turgeon.
“I would say go for it, have fun. That is what we’re all here to have is fun, and get fit. Nobody is watching what you’re doing. The deeper you go, the more you’re covered,” laughed Harwood.
BOLD articles focus on healthy outdoor activities.