Glassell Park Pool

One of the big advantages to living in Southern California is the year round warm weather. Sure it gets cold for a week in January and we all whip out our scarves and boots, but the rest of the time it’s gorgeous. So when my friend Alicia from the brilliant blog Bottle Poppin Mama asked me to join her for an #MIH15by15 challenge in the pool, I said yes faster than you can lick ice cream off a cone in August.

We went to the city pool in Glassell Park for some Aquacise! What’s that you say? It’s just like it sounds: exercise in water. Alicia has been doing it for a while and was basically the only person attending the class. I have no idea why because it was amazing and only $4.50! I started wondering what other city exercise programs there are for free or cheap that I’m missing out on.  You can find some ideas here if you live in LA but I highly suggest googling activities in your area and see what you come up with. swimming

 

Our class was small and our instructor was not at all intimidated by how hot we looked in our swimsuits. I was expecting a bunch of old ladies bouncing around in the pool with noodles. Turns out, WE were the old ladies. There were noodles, but we also used pool dumbells and did a healthy amount of cardio in the water. This is definitely not a swimming class. We didn’t do laps or learn technique. It was similar to an aerobics class at a gym, but in water. I described it to my husband and he said, “Like the movie Cocoon.”

Yes. Just like Cocoon.

Our class. Basically.

Our class. Basically.

Aquacise was a refreshing, peaceful way to get in a workout. It’s easy on the joints but still uses enough resistance from the water to feel it in your muscles.  I have to admit my favorite part was hanging with Alicia. She is such a funny, down-to-Earth mama and we basically chatted about our babies and blogs the whole time. Bonus mom date! See if you can find friend and go to a similar class near you to get your blood pumping in the pool, Cocoon-style.

 

My Bottle Poppin Mama friend!

My Bottle Poppin Mama friend!