Chlorine conquered calories as participants in the University Program Council's Water Aerobics Workshop learned new ways to exercise and tone their muscles in the pool.
Thursday's workshop, held in the James E. Martin Aquatics Center, was one of several fitness-related events UPC will host this year.
"Next semester we'll choose another aerobics class," said Nadja Helbling, a sophomore in German and assistant director of Special Projects for UPC. "Whether we do (water aerobics) again depends on how many people come today."
Helbling said one of the primary goals for UPC workshops is to provide freshmen with a way to get involved in a campus organization.
"This gives students an idea about what Special Projects is and what we do," Helbling said. "They can also try something new or something out of the box."
Helbling said UPC sponsored a hip-hop workshop taught by members of the AU Rhythm Dance Troupe this spring and have made plans for the fall concert.
"It was a lot of fun and energetic," said Anne Smead, a sophomore in public administration and Director of Special Projects.
"We want to promote wellness and provide a different workout from your normal workout of jogging or running," Smead said.
Smead and the rest of UPC work all year to come up with new and exciting events for students.
Ceren Yarar, a graduate student in neuromechanics, was instructor for the workshop.
"I used to teach a water aerobics class for our department," Yarar said. "This is my first event for UPC."
Yarar said she prepared a routine consisting of 10 exercises for the shallow end of the pool and five exercises for the deep end.
"Ten to 15 exercises total in a session is good for water aerobics," Yarar said.
Yarar said her main focus was on shallow exercises.
"Exercises in the deep end are more intense and designed for experienced swimmers," Yarar said. "My goals for students today are to have fun for an hour, improve their fitness levels and give them a break between their classes."
Yarar said water aerobics targets leg muscles, arm muscles and upper and lower back muscles.
"It is great for the joints because you're not really carrying your weight," Yarar said. "You can use water resistance, but you're not exposing your joints to degeneration or bloating."
Yarar incorporated a series of warm-up and cool-down exercises and stretches into her routine.
"It helps you more to do arm and shoulder stretches," Yarar said. "You're students, and you're constantly sitting over a desk with hunched shoulders, making a curve in your back."
Yarar's routine also included underwater leg lifts, kicks, jumps and crunches.
"We use kickboards because they really help the legs," Yarar said.
The workshop was open to all students and faculty, as well as those who wanted to observe.
Kat Milly West, a faculty member of clinical laboratory sciences in the chemistry department, said she came to learn new techniques for teaching water aerobics.
West said she has been teaching water aerobics for four years through Auburn Parks and Recreation at the Samford pool.
"I was looking for a way to start teaching all year long instead of just during the summer," West said. "I love teaching."
West said she likes to see students become regular attendees of water aerobics classes.
"You're not sitting on the sofa eating bonbons," West said. "You're here."
In addition to fitness workshops, UPC organizes a multitude of events each semester.
Free movies, guest speakers, open mic nights and a battle of the bands are a few of many entertainment options UPC provides.
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