Water Aerobics: Essential Attire for Comfort, Performance, and Safety

What Do You Wear to a Water Aerobics Class?

Choosing the right attire for a water aerobics class is crucial for maximizing comfort, enhancing performance, and ensuring safety in the aquatic environment. The ideal ensemble prioritizes quick-drying, chlorine-resistant fabrics that offer support, freedom of movement, and appropriate traction.

Understanding Water Aerobics Attire: Why It Matters

The unique properties of water—its buoyancy, resistance, and temperature—directly influence the effectiveness and comfort of your workout. Therefore, your clothing choices are not merely about aesthetics but are integral to your exercise experience.

• Buoyancy and Resistance: Water provides natural resistance, making movements more challenging. Loose, baggy clothing can create excessive drag, hindering fluidity and potentially making movements more difficult than intended. Snug-fitting attire allows for efficient movement through the water.
• Support and Mobility: Dynamic movements in water aerobics, such as jumping, kicking, and arm sweeps, require clothing that offers adequate support, particularly for the chest, while allowing for a full range of motion without restriction.
• Chlorine Resistance: Pool water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can degrade common swimwear fabrics like spandex over time. Opting for materials specifically designed to resist chlorine extends the life of your garments.
• Hygiene and Safety: Proper swimwear helps maintain pool hygiene. Additionally, appropriate footwear is essential for preventing slips on wet surfaces.

Essential Clothing Items for Water Aerobics

The foundation of your water aerobics wardrobe should focus on functionality and durability.

• Swimsuit:

  • One-Piece Suits: Often the preferred choice for women due to their streamlined design, excellent support, and minimal drag. Look for suits with built-in bra support and a secure fit around the legs and shoulders.
  • Tankinis: A two-piece option offering more coverage than a traditional bikini, combining a tank-style top with swim bottoms. They provide flexibility for bathroom breaks while still offering good coverage and support.
  • Board Shorts/Swim Trunks: For men, or as an outer layer for women, these offer comfort and modesty. Ensure they are made from quick-drying, lightweight material to prevent excessive drag.
  • Fabric Composition: Prioritize suits made from polyester and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) blends. These materials are highly resistant to chlorine degradation, maintain their shape, and dry quickly. Avoid 100% spandex or nylon if chlorine exposure is frequent, as they break down faster.
  • Fit: Your swimsuit should fit snugly but not restrictively. A proper fit prevents chafing and ensures the suit stays in place during vigorous movements.

• Rash Guards or Swim Shirts:

  • These form-fitting tops, typically made from quick-drying, UV-protective fabric, can be worn over or instead of a swimsuit top. They offer:
    • UV Protection: Essential for outdoor classes, protecting skin from harmful sun rays.
    • Warmth: Can provide an extra layer of warmth in cooler pools.
    • Modesty: Offers additional coverage for those who prefer it.
    • Chafe Prevention: Reduces skin irritation from repetitive movements.

• Water Shoes:

  • Water shoes are a non-negotiable item for most water aerobics classes. They offer multiple benefits:
    • Traction: Their non-slip soles provide crucial grip on slippery pool decks and the pool bottom, minimizing the risk of falls.
    • Protection: Guard your feet against rough pool surfaces, potential debris, or chemical irritants.
    • Stability and Comfort: They enhance stability during exercises and make standing and moving in the water more comfortable, especially for individuals with sensitive feet or certain foot conditions.
    • Drainage: Look for shoes with good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and allow for quick drying.

Considerations for Different Body Types and Preferences

• Support: For women, adequate bust support is paramount. Look for swimsuits with adjustable straps, underwire, or built-in shelf bras that provide firm support during dynamic movements.
• Coverage: Personal preference for coverage varies. Options range from traditional one-pieces to tankinis with longer tops or swim dresses that offer more leg coverage. Men might opt for longer board shorts over speedos for increased modesty.
• Temperature Sensitivity: If you tend to get cold easily or the pool water is cooler, a rash guard or a full-body swim skin can provide additional thermal insulation.

Accessories to Enhance Your Water Workout

While not strictly clothing, these accessories contribute to a more comfortable and effective water aerobics experience:

• Goggles: Useful if you plan to submerge your head frequently or if your eyes are sensitive to chlorine. They improve underwater visibility.
• Swim Cap: Keeps hair out of your face, reduces drag, and can help protect hair from chlorine damage.
• Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, even when exercising in water. Keep a water bottle readily accessible on the pool deck.
• Towel: An absorbent towel for drying off after class is essential.
• Post-Workout Essentials: A change of dry clothes, toiletries, and a waterproof bag for your wet swimsuit.

What to Avoid Wearing

Certain materials and clothing types are unsuitable for water aerobics:

• Cotton: Cotton fabrics absorb water, become heavy, lose their shape, and take a long time to dry. They offer no support and can become uncomfortable.
• Loose-Fitting Street Clothes: T-shirts, sweatpants, or regular shorts become waterlogged, create excessive drag, and can hinder movement.
• Street Shoes or Socks: These are not designed for wet environments and pose a significant slipping hazard.
• Excessive Jewelry: Rings, necklaces, and large earrings can snag on equipment, get lost, or cause injury. Chlorine can also tarnish certain metals.

Pre- and Post-Class Preparations

• Pre-Class Shower: Most facilities require a quick rinse before entering the pool to remove lotions, oils, and sweat, contributing to better water quality.
• Post-Class Rinse: After your workout, thoroughly rinse your swimsuit in cool, clean water to wash away chlorine and extend its lifespan. Avoid wringing vigorously.
• Proper Drying: Air dry your swimsuit away from direct sunlight or high heat, as these can degrade elastic fibers.

Key Takeaways

Selecting the appropriate attire for water aerobics is a blend of practicality and personal preference. Focus on chlorine-resistant fabrics that offer a snug but comfortable fit, allow for full range of motion, and provide adequate support. Don't forget water shoes for safety and comfort. By dressing smartly, you enhance your ability to perform movements effectively, maximize your workout benefits, and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience in the pool.