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What products are available
to assist teachers with side of pool
impact injuries and in-water vocal injuries?

The biggest advance for water exercise professionals has been the development of a specialty water exercise shoe. As the fitness industry gets more and more diversified with the range of activities we can pursue, the shoe companies follow suit with specialty footwear. Supportive footwear would be the first and best way to protect yourself from poolside impact. However, you need shoes that are designed for the job. That's why it is so cool that we now have our own specialty shoes. Specialty shoes will be built with the shock absorption materials and support structures specifically in the right place for the type of impact moves involved in the modality.   Ryka makes water exercise shoes. Avia also has a shoe, and I have just seen a new one from Speedo. A variety of companies distribute these shoes. Hydro-Fit (www.hydrofit.org ) is a major distributor for Ryka, and H20 Wear (www.h2owear.com ) sells Ryka and Avia. Another product that will reduce impact is a poolside mat. Again, this will provide shock absorption. The mat needs to be non-slip and portable. I've only seen one company with a specific Aqua Mat………they have a toll-free number, 1-866-229-2782, or visit www.aquamat.com The other 'product' I always have on the pool deck is a chair.

Teaching many moves from a chair is a great way to get away from the impact, and still give a good simulation of the water movement. Here are a couple of other tips:

  • Have good body mechanics. Many water exercise instructors were not trained in land fitness programs, so they get on the deck without knowing how to do weight transference and landings, especially on concrete! Survival on the deck relies on you knowing how to move your own body very efficiently and safely.

  • Remember, you are supposed to 'simulate' the water exercise from the deck, not actually do it! I see way too many instructors doing all the moves on the deck. This the quick way to get hurt. You are supposed to show the exercise, initiate the response in the clients, and then leave them to do all the repetitions.

  • Don't keep changing the exercises too often. This will also trap you into doing too much physically from the deck.

Vocal injuries occur out of the water as well as in the water. I assume from the question that you are interested in waterproof products to help protect your voice. Waterproof cordless microphones have been available for several years. There are still two main suppliers to water exercise instructors

  • Hydrophonics - 1-800-794-6626 (located in California)

  • Joshel Engineering - 1-888-joshel-8 (located in New York)

I am a major advocate for use of microphones, and I often advise instructors on how to make a purchase. Please feel free to ask me for more information.