I am over 50, and aqua-fitness workouts have been the only option left for me to maintain my joints. I have rheumatoid arthritis to multiple large and small joints that is causing deterioration to my joints and pain on movement. For the last two years, I have attended the Fountain Park aquacize classes either at the 8 a.m. (50+ Club) or the 11:30 a.m. (Shallow water). Aqua-fitness is the only place my hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders and fingers are able to move more easily and with less pain while in water.
There is an astronomical lack of respect by some participants towards the aqua-fitness instructors and other participants that are there to gain benefit from these structured classes. Socializing is at an all-time high. During an aqua-fitness class socializing should be prohibited, since you can not hear the instructor or the music when over 25 per cent of the class decides to talk at the same time the instructor is talking. This socializing should be done during public swim, or at any of the wonderful coffee shops we have all over St. Albert.
I pay the same rate that others pay to get into Fountain Park Pool and I have respect for the wonderful aqua-fitness instructors there. I also have enough respect towards the other participants not to socialize above and beyond “Hi” and “Have a good day.” My aqua-fitness class is the highlight of my mornings; if I don't attend I will have more pain in my joints by the end of the day. But, lately I come away feeling like I just left a busy playground full of adults acting like they are back in playschool.
Susan Hasiuk, St. Albert
