Join Richard Gormley for Fill in the Bounce, a 45-minute water aerobic video that features several add-on sequences of movement. Each sequence is layered with intricacy and intensity options to advance the movement. As per the video title, if you get lost, return to the bounce until you get back on track.
Richard is a popular Zumba Education Specialist (ZES) and has presented Aqua Zumba® at conferences and instructor workshops in 56 countries. In his debut Poolfit filming in 2025, Richard shared two Aqua Zumba videos in a special collaboration with Zumba Fitness®. His last video, Sink or Sprint, and this current video demonstrate his foray into more traditional forms of water exercise.
Add-On & Layering
The movement in this video is presented with primarily two types of choreography, add-on and the layer technique.
Add-on choreography, often called the building block method, is achieved by teaching a movement #1, then teaching movement #2 and then adding #1 and #2 together. Next, you introduce movement #3 and then add 1,2 and 3 together, and so on. The end-result is predictable sequencing that helps build exercise confidence as participants start to identify the sequence.
The layer technique involves introducing a base move or combination, teaching it, and then layering the base move or combination with a movement variation. The variation often progresses the base move with either intricacy or intensity.
Repetition
The key to success in a workout like this is repetition. You simply cannot expect to fully grasp the 35 minutes of choreographed sequences the first time through. Like any class, it takes an instructor a few times to get good at teaching a new routine, and it takes the students a few times to get good at performing the new routine. The goal is to get to the point where you can master the sequences without verbal cueing from the instructor. In Zumba® classes, instructors don’t talk at all. They rely on visual cueing and participant mastery.
Below, Richard talks about his inspiration for creating Fill in the Bounce.
Workout-at-a-Glance
Fill in the Bounce is a 45-minute shallow water workout that includes a warm-up, cool down and three aerobic segments. The choreography in the three segments is broken down into two sequences in each segment, both coming together with add-on and layered instruction. In segment 2, the choreography is added on from segment 1, and in segment 3 the choreography is added on from segments 1 and 2.
Poolfit extends a big thank you to Richard for sharing his knowledge and passion with subscribers. Check out his other Poolfit videos. I look forward to seeing Richard and many of the Poolfit video presenters at the International Aquatic and Therapy Fitness Conference (IAFTC) in May 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida.
