Okay I honestly did search this subject on here before I posted a new thread. And I did see a few instructions such as walking, jogging, etc... just making up my own exercises which is what I did today.

There wasn't much info found by googling except sites trying to sell me videos and stuff. I just want some basic information. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Also wondering if anyone else here is into this. One problem is that our pool is only 4 feet deep at its deepest so I am limited unless I go to another pool.

I'm 5'4'' and the 4 foot mark is usually where I stand when I'm at Waterfit. I love it!! our class is 45 minutes long and it is so easy! The next day your legs and arms are pretty tired because it IS an awesome workout. I wouldn't suggest doing deep water aerobics until you are comfortable with just the regular class being as it is waaaayy harder. Hope to help!

Have you got any classes nearby? Water aerobics is best done in a class - so you can learn the moves, and so you don't look silly on your own in a pool. In fact some pools, like mine, don't allow aerobic moves unless you are in a class, due to health and safety.

Lunges, squats and crunches can all be done in water, as well as dance moves from conventional aerobics.

And as you mentioned you can run and walk in the water.

The pool at our gym is the same as yours, constant depth of 4 feet, and we do aerobics there quite successfully.

There are a whole bunch of ladies that "run" laps at the shallow end of our pool here on base. I bet it's a pretty good workout with the water resistance!

LOL actually I already did water exercises for an hour and a half today and yep I am sore but not that much. <G> I just made up my own but it WAS a workout! I am 5'9" so the 4' mark is a bit low but it will do. And I prefer to do it on my own since I am gone 11 hour days (including travel time) for work and if I have to come home and then drive to a class I won't do it. And I am not concerned about looking silly LOL. I can easily time it though so that I am in the pool when most people are "in" for dinner. Thanks for the input... actually I guess what I am doing already is pretty much what you are supposed to do. I appreciate all the advice.

I've been doing water aerobics for a couple of weeks now, but this week, I'm doing those classes every night. They're wonderful. I believe I'm in about 5 foot deep water although the pool is not marked. Like you, I prefer to be in deeper water. It is more difficult though in the deep end. I've seen a dramatic loss of inches with water aerobics. Lost an inch and 1/2 from my waist in only 1 week. Unbelievable. I'm working out for about 90 minutes everyday in the pool with 3 classes though. Good luck and make sure to let us know how it's coming along.

Thanks for the support and info. Yah I wish I also had some deeper water but I am finding plenty to do in the 4 foot stuff too! Wow the info about things such as "jumping rope" and just walking/"jogging" laps is great. One thing I found that is a super workout is just plain old-fashioned dog paddling! Whew! I did about an hour again tonight. Feels great and refreshing to get more of those muscles working! I also found out I can DO lunges in the water... I can't do them on land!

I'm going on my third year of water aerobics classes and I love them. I would suggest getting barbells and/or a belt if you're looking for new moves.

Use the barbells punching down or to the side while you jog, or you can do wheels (like you're riding a bike with your hands) underneath the water. Try this both directions and with your wrists pointed down and up. They're also good to use while doing general moves like jumping jacks and cross country.

The belt is good for doing ab work. (You can also do these with a noodle around your back/under your arms) Start by laying on your back and holding both feet as far out of the water as you can. Then do tiny little crunches. You can put one foot on top of the other, pull your knees all the way to your chest or crunch only to one side as variations. You can also crunch front to back (kind of like rowing a boat) As with all ab exercises, make sure you're isolating the ab muscles and protecting your lower back.

Anyhoo, there's a few more ideas.

Thanks a bunch, Tani! That will definitely help me get started. I am planning to buy some water toys this weekend. Those sound like some really good exercises!

[COLOR="DarkGreen"][/C
Dear Misti:
I'm a water aerobics instructor (For the last 7 years).

Here are some ideas for your workout in the pool:
Safety precautions: keep your chest lifted up, neck and shoulders relaxed, shoulders back, head over shoulders & shoulders over hips. Always land with your entire foot, toe, ball, heel. Pressing your heel to the floor avoids shin splints. Backbone straight, abdominals tight (pull belly button in to spine!)
1. Jog with knees high, palms push water forward
2. Wide leg jog, pushing water to side with hands
3. Frog leg jog, legs are wide, knees are coming up to top of water
4. Nordic track or Nordic ski: legs slide forward and back; front foot lands flat, back foot lands on toe; bow and arrow arms
5. toy soldier or wooden soldier march: straight legs and straight arms coming up to the front; opposite arm coming up with opposite leg
6. toy soldier jog: same as 5 with a bounce off the floor and faster
7. straight leg kicks: forward leg lifts with one foot flat on the floor (beginner); (Intermediate) forward leg lifts, alternating legs, with added bounce and speed it up; (advanced) forward leg lifts, alternating legs, with clapping hands under the lifted leg
8. jumping jacks, arms under water; push palms out, pull palms in
9. jumping jacks, arms out of water, overhead make a V then clap over head while doing jacks with legs
10. Nordic ski legs and jumping jack arms
11. jumping jack legs and toy soldier arms

Have fun!
You can get some of the water videos on clearance (about $10) from some of the websites and watch to get more ideas.

Thanks JRC! It is amazing all the water aerobics stuff I have just invented and learned. But there is a lot on this list I had not thought of and was unaware of. I am going to print it out!!! I appreciate your sharing. I also love doing a lot of "completely underwater" stuff -- back bends and going under, leaping up and coming down under water with different arm and leg movements, even putting my water weights out in front of me and flipping over head first, legs up in the air, etc. It really is fun but it will be helpful for me to have some new instructions and things to try!

Misti