With half of the U.S. college population considered overweight, many students are finding it difficult to workout while balancing academics. For many, hitting the conventional gym can become boring and routine. One SF State instructor has a workout alternative: aquatic fitness.

According to the American Obesity Association, 64.5 percent of adults age 20
or older are considered overweight, while 31 percent of the U.S. population is
obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an overweight person with an "increased body weight in relation to height, when compared to some standard of acceptable or desirable weight." The CDC defines obesity "as an excessively high amount of body fat...in relation to lean body mass."

To help combat the war against flab, workout alternatives such as
aquatic fitness are starting to attract people of all ages for an intense, yet
enjoyable, workout similar to running around Lake Merced.

SF State instructor Beth Kelley leads KIN 173: Aquatic Fitness on Tuesday
and Thursday mornings. According to Kelley, taking an aquatic conditioning
class improves one’s physical condition, regardless of the student’s fitness
level or ability to swim. “There’s less impact and less weight bearing,” said
Kelley. “Everyone can do it.”

Kelley credits the increase of obesity to society’s “quick and easy” needs.
“It’s really a way of living,” said Kelley. “When you meet with friends or family, it’s usually over food.”

While some students may opt to take an aquatics class at a health club, Kelley
insists her class is different for many reasons. “You really learn what to do,” said Kelley. “You apply the concepts and theories versus just following an instructor.”

Mali Chipman, a liberal studies major, has never missed one of Kelley’s classes since the semester started. “I look forward to it,” said Chipman. “It’s effective. It’s increased my endurance, and I’ve built muscles.”

The majority of Kelley’s 50 students are female. There is less than
10 male students in the class.

“That’s a high number,” said Kelley, referring to the number of male students. “Honestly, most male students (have) said, 'I didn’t know this would be a fun and great class.' The feedback has been great.”

Arnold Thomson, a graduate student, doesn’t think too much about the male-to-female ratio.

“It has never crossed my mind,” said Thomson as he stretched in the
swimming pool. “I get a workout and it’s pretty fun.”

One day, Kelley challenged her students to use a variety of props and
equipment to incorporate in their workout. Hula Hoops, kickboards, fins and
beach balls floated throughout the pool as Kelley instructed her students to
use them for cardiovascular and strengthening exercises.

Normally, Kelley’s 55-minute class consists of a regular workout: warm-ups, stretching, cardiovascualr and strengthening movements, ending with a final stretch—all inside the pool. Earlier this week, Kelley asked her students if they noticed any physical changes since the semester started.

"My stomach's smaller," yelled one student. A variety of other replies soon followed, ranging from lost weight, smaller inner thighs to jeans fitting more loosely, experiencing less stress and sleeping comfortably at night.

According to the kinesiology department, aquatic fitness was last offered in
1995. Dr. Robert Spina, the new kinesiology department chair, is credited for the class's return. “It’s a great class,” said Spina. “That’s why I brought it
back.”

Of the 22 other CSU campuses, most offer similar aquatics classes such as aqua aerobics and swim fitness. Kelley plans to offer two sections of aquatic
fitness next semester since she nearly overenrolled this semester. “It uses
the pool differently than just for lap swimming,” said Kelley.