As a lap swimmer for more than thirty-five years, I hardly noticed the water aerobics classes at my pool. When I did, I was annoyed, because the members were always trying to pull out my lane markers so they could start their class. I probably sighed and gave them withering looks when I had to stop swimming. A bunch of older people, mostly women, moving around to loud music seemed like a waste of pool space.

Writer Nancy Leon (center) with her water aerobics classmates at Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center. It turned out that the music she loved as a sixteen-year-old was still great for moving in the water. | Photo: Mark Bialek

This was, of course, before I reluctantly joined them. Several years ago I injured myself swimming but still wanted to exercise in the pool. When I joined the class that I’d assumed was for wimps who wouldn’t or couldn’t swim, I discovered how wrong I’d been: It is filled with courageous, persistent people.

Here is some of what I have learned and keep learning:

During a sixty-minute water aerobics class, you never stop moving, using all your muscles and joints. I found out that many people in the class are fighting their limitations as they await hip or knee replacements or recover from these surgeries. They are pushing themselves and getting stronger and healthier all the time.

The woman next to me is in her upper eighties but looks to be at least ten years younger. This happens all the time at water aerobics.

Outside of class, many regularly take care of young grandchildren, their own
frail mothers, or both. They have spouses who have had debilitating strokes, difficult chronic diseases, and more. The class helps them stay strong and maintain their optimism.

I also learned that the music that I loved as a sixteen-year-old is still great for moving in the water. My classmates mouth the words and often break out in song. If anyone had told me that I would be exercising to this music fifty years later, I might have been disturbed. But now I love connecting my past and present in the water.

—

My classmates have had very full lives. I might find myself next to a former public policy expert, a cancer researcher, or the chef who created my favorite entrée at the Earle. Some are still working.

Together, we’re a cooperative, caring community. We share the pool and then swap stories and advice in the small, crowded locker room. We are constantly moving our wet towels, clothes, and ourselves to make room for each other. Cards are signed when someone is having surgery or chemotherapy. We will later ask after them and keep up.

People often leave the locker room smiling and saying they feel much better about continuing their day.

Near the end of our class, the lap swimmers arrive, eager for their lane markers to be put back in and for us to be out of their way. I still swim laps. But I no longer think of it as a superior exercise. I know there is true joy in movement, music, and community, no matter how old you are or what condition you are in. And I know that water aerobics is definitely not for wimps.