By ADAM STEWART

News editor

Before water aerobics class Monday at USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center in Marion, an older man walked in with a cane, and even that was laborious. Once he was in the water, though, he moved around without any apparent difficulty.

He wasnt part of the water aerobics class, but he demonstrated why some people choose water aerobics for exercise.

I cant walk too good, but here in the water youre buoyant and can walk easier, participant Jackie Hett said. Its a health issue with me.

Hett, 86, estimated she has gone to water aerobics about four years, and she goes all five days a week it is offered. She is able to keep up with all of the exercises the group does, led by Heather Calhoun.

She gives us a good workout, build up our heart rate, work out every part of our body, Hett said.

Calhoun took over the classes from Greta Smith in November.

I love it, Calhoun said. It gives me a daily exercise routine.

Participants are able to set their own intensity level for the workouts, depending primarily on the depth of water they do the workouts in. Without a floor to stand on, working out in the deep end of the pool takes more exertion, she said.

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Water aerobics take it easy on the body