Font Size

Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

Local Water Workout Burns Hundreds Of Calories

Reporting
Tracy Kornet

DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Non-Invasive Laser Procedure Helps Trim The Fat
(8/1/2009)
Kettlebells Gaining Popularity As Fitness Tool
(7/30/2009)
Online Tools Help Runners Find New Routes
(5/4/2009)
Exercise May Hold Key In Shrinking Breast Cancer
(7/16/2009)
Study: Water-Rich Fruits, Vegetables Help Shed Fat
(7/1/2009)
Small Changes Help Local Man Lose 55 Pounds
(6/26/2009)

It's a water workout that will burn hundreds of calories and tone just about every muscle in your body. But before you put on your bathing suit, you better be ready to move and shake.

The workout is based on Zumba, the Latin infused dance workout that incorporates salsa moves with aerobic exercise.

Jessica Therivel says it's an intense workout because of the additional resistance provided by the water. During the workout her arms are constantly in motion. "It definitely gets your heart rate up and gives you a good cardio workout," she said.

Therivel says she feels less self conscious than if she was in a gym. "When you're in the pool and you don't have the workout mirrors and no one can see what your feet are doing if you're stepping left when you should be going right, it makes me more comfortable."

Amy Harper loves the workout class because of the intensity, but also because it's fun and easy on the joints. "My knees get sore. I get shin splints. The water is a nice break from doing that, but you get a really good workout," she explained. "It doesn't matter if you have rhythm, doesn't matter if you are coordinated you just have a really good time."

The woman who makes it so much fun, according to the participants, is instructor Brandi Ferris. "My whole goal is to have them smiling through the whole workout, so I hoop and holler to try to make sure that they do that," says Ferris.

Ferris says if participants step it up, you can burn up to 400 calories in 45 minutes and it's a full body workout. "You're not just sitting on a bike using your legs. You're using your whole body. You're working your core. You're working your arms. You're working your legs."

Ferris spices up the aqua routine with 80's tunes, Bollywood, even some hip hop. "We can all go on the treadmill and go on the stationary bike but we wanted something fun."

Amy Harper is now a regular, attending the weekly water class along with traditional indoor Zumba instruction. "If you go once, you'll keep going because it gives you confidence. It lets you relax and be yourself," Harper claims.

The class is called Aqua Boombastic.

CLASS DETAILS:

Aqua Boombastic
Thursdays at Noon
Hotel Anatole-Verandah Club
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207
$16 – for non-club members
(214) 761-7855