Clinton residents Anita Pope and Elizabeth Rogers didn’t expect to have so much fun exercising. The friends tried a new exercise concept at the Center for Health and Wellness last week and made plans to come back because they enjoyed it so much.
For the past several weeks, the local center has been promoting a new program and teasing the idea on Facebook. Just last week, the new program was revealed and is receiving great reviews.
The new program, Hydro Active, is a series of classes designed around the concept of an inflatable, floating fitness mat. The mat is used in the water to create instability during exercise. Hydro Active is the branded name for one of the newest innovations in aquatic fitness that takes traditional gym workouts to the water.
“This revolutionary floating fitness mat adds a totally unique body workout by creating more focus on core muscle groups and improving balance and coordination,” programs manager Tawanda Outlaw said. “The harder you work, the more difficult and intense the workout becomes.”
According to Pope, who says she exercises on a regular basis, said the Hydro Active class was fun, but harder than she expected.
“You tend to get bored doing the same things all the time,” Pope shared. “This class is fun and offers a different atmosphere to exercise in.”
Both Rogers and Pope say they have been members of the wellness center for a while, but have just recently started utilizing the programs that are offered through the wellness center. The Hydro Active class is the newest of those programs that has been added to the list of classes available.
The highly challenging workout takes place in a lap pool on a floating board, called Boga Fitmats. The technology, officials say, provides superior durability and stiffness to maximize performance. During the workout, participants can expect to do traditional land exercises, like burpees, push-ups, sit-ups, planks, squats, jumping jacks and more.
Always looking for new concepts to offer members, TCHW is one of the few facilities to offer the new concept.
“We always look for things we don’t have,” Outlaw said. “Since we had the resources to provide the Hydro Active classes, we wanted to offer something that our members can enjoy.”
The program is a world-wide recognized program in fitness and is becoming globally covered in places like India, Sri Lanka, Holland, Finland, Croatia and Japan.
“No other fitness facility in our community is offering this style of workout,” Amber Cava, vice president of marketing for Sampson Regional Medical Center, said. “It’s been gaining world-wide popularity, and we have it right here in Clinton. In addition, we aren’t aware of a similar program within an hour’s drive.”
According to Outlaw, all classes are led by certified fitness instructors who are additionally trained to teach on the Boga Fitmat, which adds a totally unique core body workout by creating uncontrolled instability in the water. This workout allows the accessibility of aquatic fitness indoors, year-round and is great for balance recovery training.
Each workout lasts 45 minutes and works muscles in all areas of the body.
While the workout is guaranteed to get you wet, Outlaw said it’s important for everyone to remember that a bathing suit is not required.
“This is an aquatic workout, and while participants will be doing land exercises on the floating mat, they have to enter the pool to mount the mat, and there’s a good chance of falling in the pool during the workout,” Outlaw shared. “Participants should wear some type of quick dry fabric. It doesn’t have to be a swim suit. Cotton fabrics are not recommended. Participants should remember to bring a pool towel and a change of clothes.”
Workouts are done barefooted, but sandals, flip flops or pool shoes are suggested between the locker room and pool deck.
This workout, Outlaw promises, isn’t just 45 minutes of pool time — it’s an intense workout.
“This is probably a workout unlike any most people have ever experienced,” Outlaw said. “It will challenge muscles for a full body workout and you will use muscles you didn’t know you had.”
Each class is limited to 10 participants, so pre-registration is highly encouraged. Boards can be reserved by stopping by the front desk or calling 910-596-5400.
The class is not recommended for women who are pregnant or were recently pregnant and children under 14 are not permitted. Participants should be able to swim and have a comfort level in water chest deep.
The program is included as a benefit of membership to TCHW. Non-members will have a participation fee and registration is required. Hydro Active is also open for private groups of 5-10 people.
