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| THE COLONY NEWS | APRIL 2024 | 27 Everyone has been waiting with bated breath for the exciting return of the activity commonly known as WATER AEROBICS! What is water aerobics? Water aerobics is a form of aerobic exercise that requires water-immersed participants, typically in a swimming pool. It is done mostly vertically and without swimming, usually in waist deep or deeper water. e equipment that is used includes water weights and a variety of flotation devices. Oh, and usually, this is all done to fun music! Now, here's the interesting part — guess who invented Water Aerobics? JACK LaLANNE! How many of you remember him? My mom was a dedicated follower of this television fitness guru. Jack LaLanne opened his first spa in 1931. In the 1950s, he developed exercises for the purpose of relieving the pressure formed by the force of gravity. ese exercises, and the location where they are practiced, is now commonly referred to as "water aerobics." Starting April 15, Water Aerobics starts back up at e Colony. Join aerobics instructor Danielle Ross at the pool Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 to 11 am. Each class is $3. You will need water weights and a pool noodle, but try it first to see what you think. And if you are like most Colony residents, YOU WILL BE BACK! Last month I discussed neuropathy and the benefits of our vibration power plate machine to address that condition. is month, I want to focus on the benefits of maintaining flexibility as we age throughout our golden years. Flexibility is one of the principal components of health and fitness. at is why you see athletes of all ages stretching before competitive games. As seniors, it is very important that we do not ignore this aspect in our exercise regime. Simply put, flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its full range of motion, plus the ability to move a muscle to its maximum capacity. For us seniors, flexibility is especially important to decrease muscle imbalance and minimize the possibility of injuries that may occur in our daily activities. In our own Colony gym, we are so very fortunate to have a piece of equipment, the Stretch Cage (SC), that enables us to integrate flexibility into our exercise routine. e SC helps senior exercisers to perform multiple stretch variations that benefit the entire body. e SC allows you to focus on specific muscles, joints and areas of your body that are particularly tight. One excellent feature about our SC is that it provides a safe platform for senior users to be able to stretch without the difficulty of having to go down to the floor, or unsafely leaning over other equipment or a wall. For a good senior workout, I would encourage everyone to start with at least a two-to-three-minute warm-up using the Power Plate Machine. en advance to the SC as your next station. I would encourage you to start out with these two stations before advancing to any weight-bearing exercises, such as dumbbells or the other exercise machines. Consider revisiting the SC at the end of your workout for a nice cool down, and to relax the muscles that have been worked out. is will minimize muscle tightness and soreness that is typical aer most workouts. If you are interested in learning more about the multiple ways to use our Stretch Cage, or any other aspects of our fitness center, please contact Cindy Irving, our HOA receptionist, at (951) 677- 4341, to arrange a free appointment with me. See you at the gym! Water Aerobics By Valorie Hillerich Colony Fitness Center By Cece Gordon Please note the time change! e ursday Bocce Club will be meeting each ursday, from 4 to 6 pm (or later if there are still players willing to keep playing). Anyone in e Colony is welcome to come and play. ere is no equipment needed, we always have water and ice available. You are welcome to bring snacks and any other beverage of your choice, so come down and join in the fun, camaraderie and friendly competition! Bocce By Jeanne Bender, 949-295-5412 A Game For All Seasons, Played For All Reasons!