Make a Splash With University Recreation's Water Fitness and Education Programs

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Lap swimming in the HPER Natatorium.

Water exercise is a great way to add diversity to your exercise routine, or to enable you to do exercises that are difficult on land.  Continual resistance to every move you make allows for total-body strengthening, and buoyancy eases stress on joints.

Some of the water exercise options available this fall through UREC include:

• Lap swimming. The lap lane section of the HPER Natatorium offers both short (25 meter) and long (50 meter) course options. Participants are able to do their own self-paced workout, and utilize fitness tools such as kickboards, hand paddles, and pull buoys. Participants who are interested in utilizing lap swimming for fitness, but need help with strokes or are not sure how to start are welcomed to drop in on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. for the duration of the fall 2015 semester. A UREC staff member will be stationed near lanes 7-8 (the farthest from the locker rooms) to assist you. 
• Water running. Floatation belts enable participants to stay upright in the water and mimic a walking or running motion. This non-impact activity is great as an alternative to running or walking on land. Floatation belts are available for participants to borrow.
• Water Fitness classes. Classes provide guided workouts utilizing floatation belts, resistance dumbbells, and other movements. Classes are free to students and faculty/staff UREC members, but require pre-registration at the UREC main office in HPER 225. For schedules and class descriptions, visit the UREC Group Fitness Schedule.  

HPER Natatorium hours, policies, and further information can be seen on the UREC website.

University Recreation also provides educational programs through the HPER natatorium as well. Learning to swim not only enables participants to enjoy water-related leisure and fitness opportunities, but also builds safety skills for water environments. With drowning a leading cause of death by unintentional injury among children, skills such as holding breath under water, floating, gliding, and coming to the surface are valuable to water safety. UREC members, in addition to faculty/staff and their families, as well as Arkansas Alumni Association members, are able to register for the following classes:

• Adult Swim Lessons. This beginner class teaches the basics of swimming including breathing, floating, gliding, and basic strokes. Available for ages 12 and older.
• Youth Swim Lessons. Available for children ages 5-11, participants will learn to hold their breath underwater, float on front and back, flutter kick, and begin coordinated arm and leg motion.
• Private Swim lessons. For more individualized attention and availability, UREC offers private (one participant) or semi-private (two participants) swim lessons. Lesson days and times are based on pool and instructor availability.
• Lifeguard Certification Course: UREC offers the American Red Cross Lifeguard certification curriculum in preparation for outdoor pool season.  Classes will be available in Spring 2016. 

For more information about aquatics fitness or education programs, including schedules, cost, and registration, please see the UREC website. Contact Katie Helms at 479-575-4684 with questions.