Unleash some Manhattan Mayhem in the pool with NYC’s Jenni Lynn Patterson LaCour, creator of the S’WET series of aqua workouts. Designed for more advanced participants, S’WET Boot Camp features a series of athletic exercises using the pool wall, the pool floor and foam dumbbells.
Get ready to S’WET in the pool! This high-intensity 35-minute boot camp style workout is divided into three parts: 1) wall work 2) agility skills on pool floor 3) foam dumbbells. Jenni Lynn has been teaching aqua classes in New York City for the past 10 years and during that time discovered an appetite for bringing a more advanced fitness experience to the pool, hence the creation of S’WET.
S’WET BOOT CAMP: VIDEO AT A GLANCE
Experience S’WET Boot Camp through the eyes of Jenni Lynn in the PoolFit interview below. And check out a Fitmotivation video interview with her.
PoolFit: What is S’WET Boot Camp?
Jenni Lynn: S’WET Boot Camp is my favorite class to teach not only because I get a wide range of participants, but it can be freestyle and most of all - FUN! When I first started to format the structure of the class, I thought it might be more circuit based, but with all the different drills it turned into more of a Boot Camp experience. For the video, I chose drills that utilized the pool wall, the line on the pool floor and foam dumbbells.
PoolFit: Many S’WET exercises involve the pool wall. Why?
Jenni Lynn: The pool wall is a great tool to use in a workout. Holding the wall, pushing off the wall, using the wall as a target, the wall provides an opportunity to create unique and challenging moves. When I teach my classes in Manhattan, I like to give two or three exercise options for each wall circuit, which allows students to work at different levels. I find this is a great way to keep active students pushing harder, but less physically capable students feeling confident and getting a great workout. For example, Progression 1 at the wall is running in place, Progression 2 is mountain climbers and Progression 3 is kicking at the wall. When I start the wall segment, I tell my students they have three options, running in place, mountain climbers or kicking at the wall - any style they wish. I let them know that they can do whatever exercises they choose during the three progressions. They have fun getting creative and choosing their own options and exercises.
PoolFit: In your S’WET workout, you use the line on the pool floor. Why?
Jenni Lynn: Many larger lap pools have lines on the pool floor marking the lanes. I love to use these lines to keep students in an isolated position and to enforce proper form. Student’s legs are either striding over the line for cross-country skis, or straddling the line for jumping jacks. In the S’WET Boot Camp video, I use the line for cross country skis, jumping jacks, hops and moguls. Each section progresses the exercises in order to give students more options and to encourage them to work harder. If there is no line on your pool floor you can simply imagine one.
PoolFit: The third segment of the S’WET Boot Camp video includes foam dumbbells. How are they utilized?
Jenni Lynn: The hand buoys are used to increase the intensity of the exercises, which my male participants particularly enjoy. Hand buoys are a fun way to amplify the line work of cross country skis, jumping jacks, front shoots (Rock & Rolls) and side shoots (Angels). Students have to use more arm and core strength to keep their feet both touching and suspended off the floor. However, please be mindful of the buoy’s density and the fitness level of the person using the equipment. I personally hand out the hand buoys to control who is using what. Smaller buoys are usually safer and utilized more effectively.
PoolFit: Some people may watch this video and say “Wow, these advanced are pretty advanced exercises and I am not sure I should do them?” How do you respond to that?
Jenni Lynn: It is important for people to work to their own abilities. All exercises can be modified. There are many options and modifications you can do when incorporating S’WET Boot Camp in your pool. In my classes, I have always found that giving students the options and encouragement to try new things and push themselves to reach higher goals allows participants of all levels and ages the opportunity to achieve success while working at their own abilities. Aquatic fitness is misperceived as exercise strictly for the elderly or less physically capable. It’s time for a new generation of aquatic enthusiasts to get excited about working out in the pool and to prove that it can be a challenging and athletic workout.
Like this S’WET Workout? Leave a comment on the video or the blog. And if you want to explore more of Jenni Lynn’s S’WET workouts, visit her website. You can also keep up with Jenni Lynn on her Facebook page.