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Community Corner

Mentor Residents Take the Plunge

Mentor residents enjoy the benefits of pain-free water aerobics

Let’s face it. Exercise, while good for you, can be a drag. After walking, jogging, stretching, twisting, lifting and sweating, your muscles and joints may feel achy and stiff the next day, making it a bit more difficult to stay motivated to exercise.

But water aerobics may be a better way to get the benefits of exercise without all the pain.

Certified water aerobics instructor Patricia Davis, who teaches water aerobics classes at  public swimming pool on Mentor Avenue, said exercising in the water doesn’t put stress or pressure on your muscles and joints. Water causes your body to be buoyant, which reduces the stress on your muscles and joints. Plus, the water keeps your body cool while you exercise.

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“There are very few people who have aching muscles or joint pain after doing water aerobics,” said Davis. “It relaxes all of your muscles and it relaxes your body. I’ve even found that some people have lost weight doing this type of exercise.”

Davis teaches a 45-minute water aerobics class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. An evening water aerobics class also is held every Tuesday and Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

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Exercises include walking, jogging in place, stretching, as well as a variety of upper body, lower body and waist exercises.

“The secret about our exercise regime is that you can work as hard as you want to,” Davis said. “If I tell my class to swing their arms, every person can swing their arms as vigorously as they want to, so they can set the pace of their exercise that suits them.”

Jane Scott has been taking water aerobics classes for several years.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Scott. “I can’t do without it. It keeps you toned up and it makes you feel real good.”

On a hot summer’s day, Davis has had as many as 26 people participate in an aerobic exercise class.

“Our program is run by Mentor’s Recreation Department so it’s open to everyone,” said Davis. “But the men are reluctant to participate because they say, ‘I don’t look good in a bathing suit.’ But no one cares because we’re all just doing this to feel good and to stay healthy.”

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