At Christ’s home, a senior living community in Warminster, Pennsylvania, residents make waves of memories in their water aerobics class that is more than just exercise; it’s an outlet, a source of community, joy, and health. The class, held every Monday, has become a must for the community as it offers physical and emotional benefits to its participants. It has had a steady amount of growth since its debut in 2022. Its residents say the health benefits, the social atmosphere, and a good instructor are the reasons for their continued participation. According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, older adults who participated in aquatic exercise programs experienced improvements in muscle mass. Water aerobics offers a low-impact workout that helps burn calories, boost mental health, and is gentle on the joints, making it an ideal activity for seniors. The social aspect of the class stretches beyond the pool. The residents form relationships and share things with each other, such as recipes and how to support one another through hardships. While some residents joined the class simply for something to do, many stay because of the instructor and the sense of community.
Jeanine Hendrie, the class instructor and a fitness professional for 29 years, was initially certified in aqua aerobics to assist discharged physical rehabilitation patients with independent therapy. Hendrie emphasizes the inclusive nature of the class; there are adaptive exercises to accommodate different ability limitations. “It gives them the freedom to move in the water without the fear of getting injured,” Hendrie said. She notes the class allows residents to socialize about joys and troubles, vent about issues such as the water temperature and other family problems, and also share stories in a safe space. Many residents have found comfort in discussing worries on a larger scale, such as surgeries and diagnoses. This creates an environment for people to relate to others’ similar experiences.
Jean Kratz, a resident at Christ’s Home for over 15 years, joined the class to prepare for knee replacement surgery and found the class provided more than just physical benefits. “We share stories about everybody and everything,” Kratz said. She emphasizes the strong connections formed within the group. She used to attend aqua class at the YMCA; however, according to her, it lacked a strong connection to others, unlike at Christ’s Home. Another resident by the name of Bob Baur expressed how the aqua class made him feel confident about his strength. He joined because he was sick of doing physical therapy on land and found it was too hard on his joints, but he feels light and mobile in the water. “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” says Baur. He expressed that he sees water aerobics now as more of a fun hobby rather than exercise.
As a whole, water aerobics provides a fun, social, and accepting community for all kinds of people. Some joined just for something to do since it was offered, while some joined to be more social and make new connections. Christ’s Home provides a safe, fun environment for people to connect their personal lives and experiences, such as recipes, births, deaths, health situations, worries, exciting news, and so much more. These friendships that start in the pool have people looking forward to Mondays.
