Water aerobics instructor Gerry Montgomery, top center, leads a class last week at the Grande Ronde Fitness Club. CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

by TRISH YERGES /Observer correspondent

LA GRANDE At the Grande Ronde Fitness Club, instructors Gerry Montgomery and Stephanie Boudreau are helping people of all ages benefit from a full body workout during water aerobics classes.

Water aerobics is a type of resistance training, using traditional aerobic exercises, motions and calisthenics while submerged in chest-deep water. The instructor tailors the exercises to fit the clients physiological needs and limitations.

The benefits of water aerobics is that its fun and comfortable in the water, yet youre still working out hard and burning calories, said Boudreau, evening aerobics instructor at the club.

According to the Center for Health and Sciences, a person weighing 180 pounds can burn 327 calories an hour performing water aerobics. But weight loss is only one of the many benefits of this kind of workout.

The benefits of water aerobics is that it gives you better balance, muscle strength and cardiovascular health, said Montgomery, who has taught water aerobics for about 30 years and teaches the morning class at the club. Its a good way to get your day started.

Water aerobics classes commonly involve a warm-up routine of stretching and deep breathing. Then the class is led through a 25-minute routine of cardiovascular exercises. After that clients do some walking in the water followed by a routine of muscle building leg exercises like flutter kicks, leg lifts and karate kicks.

Water aerobics is for everyone, young and old, but because of its therapeutic and rehabilitative benefits, it often attracts seniors who want to maintain mobility and cardiovascular health. People who are recovering from surgery often exercise in water to regain their strength and balance.

If a client is new, I ask them what problems they have, said Montgomery. Some have arthritis, as I do, and this is very good for that. Some have a shoulder, ankle or knee problem, so then I change their routine to help them.

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Water aerobics: A fun way to get fit