How Can Trainers Transition From Land To Aquatic Personal Training?

To become a personal trainer in the water, you must first, last and foremost understand your environment. Without the basic understanding of the physics of water, you will not be able to translate the benefit of a water workout to the client. You will also not have the tools to evaluate movement, equipment and overload. If you are a well-educated land trainer and seek education about the best ways to train in the water, you can become a good trainer in the water. The key to success is being educated, conscientious and responsible.

The transition from land to water requires that both the trainer and the client develop new knowledge and skills. Simply dropping land exercise into the pool would be the same as trying to swim the breaststroke on a treadmill. It doesn't make sense! Trainers need to address a number of areas in order to integrate water exercise into their training options. Ask yourself the following questions and then seek out the answers. oDo you understand the environment? What is the difference between training designs for land and the varying depths of water (shallow, transitional and deep)? Buoyancy creates assistance and resis- tance to movement as well as support. In some movements, water's engagement against the body is in opposition to land, like working out upside-down! For exercises to be purposeful, you must understand the training responses. oCan you both model and then teach/ coach water-specific skills? In order to swim for health, you need to learn to swim well enough to create safe and effective overload. The same is true for water exercise. Clients must build skills, such as sculling for balance, in order to then be able to use water as a training medium. Trainers should practice in the pool on a regular basis so they are skilled in water and can model proper body mechanics. oDo you know how to design water progressions that effectively target functional living on land? These progressions should both utilize the properties of water and train the whole body for better movement on land, maximize a client's time in the pool and help them to better achieve their objectives. Factors such as water temperature affect exercise design. oWhen is water appropriate for your client? Not everyone is a good candi- date for water exercise. How should a client be prepared for water exercise? How does water exercise supplement land training or living? Water's natural support and on-demand resistance provide individualized exercise intensity. Do you understand how to allow clients to find their own pace, and can you teach personal intensity regulating skills for comfortable exercise? oDo you understand how and when to integrate land and water exercise ses- sions into a program for good health? What are the benefits of water training, what are the benefits of land training and what are the considerations for blending the two for a holistic approach to health? oDo you know how to work with clients with special needs? Since water is so forgiving, many of them will come to the pool for training. Can you perform effective assessments, teach individual- ized modifications, know how to respond to abnormal responses to pool exercise and know when to refer clients to a health care provider? oDo you understand how to respond to an emergency in water? Trainers should have basic knowledge and skills in how to work with an emergency team to ensure the safety of both the client and themselves. oFinally, what type of equipment pro- vides safe, comfortable and effective training progressions? Do you under- stand how to teach clients how to use the equipment properly for their individual needs? To learn more about water fitness, check out resources such as YMCA Water Fitness for Health and WaterFit educational videos that teach moves based on research. For more information, see www.waterfit.com or www.dswfitness.com.

I made the transition from land to water because of the team sports coaching I was doing. I was also a strength conditioning coach and a medical assistant for volleyball, football and basketball teams and ran a gym in the military. To help injured athletes get back to playing or to assist injured military personnel return to active duty, I worked very closely with physiotherapists and provided all the weight training the clients needed. However, some people were not yet ready to do land weight training, and I saw that water training would help them without compromising their injuries. While I learned to help these injured people in the water, I soon saw water's potential to help athletes cross train. How did I learn to cross train them in the water? I used simple anatomy and biomechanics. I looked at the skills required within the sport, broke them down using the principles of water, and soon my clients and I were jumping, cross country skiing, running and hitting baseballs and tennis shots in the water! Land personal trainers can learn to use water movements. All you need to do is analyze the movements your clients need, break them down biomechanically and adapt them to water. Your clients will move to new heights, and you will add another program to your training repertoire.

If you train runners, I recommend that you learn about water training to help them prevent injuries. I have trained several runners to run long races and usually recommend that they do deep-water running once a week. The water running is crucial for them as their mileage increases and the impact becomes noticeable. Once runners get a feel for the water and receive a little help on form, they are hooked and welcome the change of environment. I recommend running beside them and coaching them on form as you would on the road. If you are not working with runners, I recommend that you introduce the water as you would any new piece of equipment. Mix up your first workout to give clients a chance to experience both a cardiovascular and strength-focused pool workout. Work beside them in the pool to help determine their affinity for water fitness.

I love to teach and train water exercises. Water is a different world. Its very useful for rehabilitation. I do both, that way I have more to offer and options for my clients needs. Get a good certification with a reputable national company. Knowledge is power.