Getting your fit on in the pool

Henriette Lamprecht – It would be a mistake to think the splish-splash of water, and people trying to balance (while jumping, stretching and planking) on something vaguely resembling a surfboard in a swimming pool is just a playful way of tempering the heat of a normal midsummer’s day.

Firstly, what you likened to a surfboard is actually called an aquabase and secondly, the splish splash is an aqua boot camp in full force.

Based at a heated swimming pool at a high school in Windhoek, Namibia is the first African country to offer floatfit classes.

The owner of Aquaphysical, as well as the instructor, Alex Slippers, have always been into “all kinds of sports”.

After completing her studies in Sport Science in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Alex returned to Nambia to resume her part time job as a swimming instructor at the Dolphin Swimming Club. Soon it would become her full-time job, but being a swimming coach wasn’t enough.

“I have always wanted to do something more interesting,” she explains.

Alex designed a class called aqua boot camp, which involved all sorts of exercises in water. After she fell pregnant, Alex discontinued her classes. When her baby arrived, she also decided not to work after hours any more.

“So, no new aqua boot camp classes until I came across this ‘water matt’. It was a Facebook clip someone tagged me in and it really looked like fun!”

Alex contacted the owners of Aquaphysical to enquire about the cost of bringing it to Namibia.

“After getting all the info I somehow forgot about it, since it was quite pricey, one single mat is about N$11 000.”

A year later Alex was stil being tagged in Facebook posts regarding the product.

“My old clients seemed to be very keen! On the spur of the moment and with a supportive husband, I ordered my first three mats last year, buying seven more a few months later.”

Alex launched her first class in September last year and in January this year became the first certified aquaphysical trainer in Africa.

Training on the mat is usually a high-intensity workout lasting 30 minutes. With the aim, of course, to not fall off!

“It’s a new way of exercising involving low impact cross training on water. All exercises can be modified to suit different levels of fitness. It’s a combination of isometric, plyometric strength and endurance, including flexibility training. It’s fun and effective, with your core engaging at all times to maintain balance,” Alex explains. Another benefit is the correcting of muscle weakness and postural imbalance.

Alex receives her training programs directly from the aquaphysical team, of which the benefits include:

• Enhanced postural alignment

• Muscular strength

• Muscular endurance

• Power

• Cardiovascular fitness

• Flexibility

• Coordination and balance

• Relaxation and mental well-being

Together with these fitness benefits, exercising on the aquabase provides a unique opportunity to gain the following additional benefits:

• Enhanced balance and proprioception for daily life and sports performance

• Greater kinaesthetic awareness that helps prevent injuries

• Improvements in the body’s core muscle strength and stability

• Enjoyment from the sound of the water lapping and a change of scenery from the gym or usual exercise environment, leading to a sense of purposeful calm

• A sense of achievement at mastering the challenges the aquabase brings to the body and a big boost to motivation and confidence

• Overcoming training plateau because of the variable training effect the aquabase demands of the body

Age is no limit and anyone from the age of five can do it, says Alex.

“There are only two things keeping people from taking off fully. One is called winter! People don’t want to get wet in winter, so classes have been closed for July.” Secondly, the facilities.

“This product could be a hit if I had full access to a heated pool and more space. Currently, I do have that but I’m limited in space and therefore can’t get it off the ground the way I want to. The pools available are either outdoor, so weather dependent, or too small. The mats are quite big, so you need a lot of space.”

Alex also realised people are reluctant to start something new.

“The best way is for people to try it out and then make up their minds. It can be quite a hard workout.”

Currently mostly women take part, because “men don’t see it as hard work”.

“But for those men who did try, believe me, they were quick to learn that it’s not a simple water aerobics session. It’s incredibly difficult when I up the level for the fitter people. It’s a bit of a shame that men haven’t realised the potential this method of exercise has.”

She admits “everything takes time to take off in Namibia”.

“I’m loving it. It’s my little gem in a tough economy and I hope it gets the credit it deserves. It’s all over the world now, but lots of countries don’t have it yet.”

(Facebook: Aqua Boot Camp; Alex Slippers – 081 221 8701)