By Payton Tholstrup

The Clay Center Aquatic Park is offering water exercise classes again this summer. The classes are Monday through Friday, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting. Classes are for people 14 years old and older.

Available classes include Aqua Exercise, Water Pilates, and Aqua Dance. Water Pilates is new this year. It adapts the principles of traditional Pilates to the water environment. Water Aerobics is a low-impact exercise in the water that combines cardio, strength training, and flexibility movements. Aqua Dance allows participants to engage in choreographed dance movements in the pool.

Rayleen Dreher, Aquatic Park Manager, said, “Water exercise offers numerous benefits including reduced impact on joints, improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and flexibility, and stress relief.”

Lap swimming and water walking are also options for those who don’t want to participate in classes. “We have a 25-meter lap swimming area and walking the lazy river is always available. We also have a group that likes to chat and tread, so that’s always an option too,” said Dreher.

Season passes can be purchased, or participants can pay a small fee when they attend. More information can be found on the Clay Center Aquatic Park Facebook page and their website.