Why Water Fitness at LORAC Is the Best Workout You're Probably Not Doing
- Derrith Schmidt
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Men, women, and yes—even kids during the summer—join water fitness classes throughout the week in LO at the Recreation & Aquatics Center. The classes are set to music, led by enthusiastic instructors, and filled with friendly people. It's one of the most welcoming fitness communities I've found in Lake Oswego.
My husband goes almost every day. I make it two or three times a week. We always run into friends, and we both love that we can get a challenging workout without the aches and pains that sometimes come with land-based exercise.
If you're a LORAC member, water fitness classes are included in your membership. Depending on your health insurance plan, your membership may even be covered. (Mine is!) Not ready to commit? Day-use passes are available if you'd like to give a class a try. LORAC has two pools and large shower/bathroom/changing areas that are always clean, plus a fitness room with a view of the golf course, the gym and rooms for classes. And a nice lobby area to hang out inside or on the patio.
Why Water Fitness?
Each 60-minute class includes:
Warm-up
Cardiovascular exercise
Strength training using water resistance and equipment
Balance work
Stretching and cool-down
The result is a full-body workout that's as challenging as you want it to be, while being easier on your joints.
One friend texted me after class recently: "1 hour and 3 minutes. 628 calories!" She was definitely going for it that day! As instructor Carol likes to remind us, "You can make it as intense as you want." Carol demonstrates different levels of effort and encourages everyone to listen to their bodies.
One thing I particularly appreciate is that nobody is watching or judging your workout. Unlike a gym aerobics class where everyone can see exactly what you're doing, everyone in water fitness is chest-deep in the pool. Whether you're working at full intensity or taking it a little easier, nobody knows but you.
Two Types of Classes
Shallow Water Fitness
These classes take place in the warmer recreation pool, where your feet touch the bottom. Many participants wear aqua shoes for comfort and traction.
Shallow water classes are energetic, upbeat, and use the natural resistance of the water to provide a full-body workout. Depending on the instructor and the music, they can feel more like a pool party than an exercise class. The water is a warm 84–86°F in the Recreation Pool where the shallow water classes are held.
Deep Water Fitness
Deep water classes take place in the competition pool, which is 9-foot-deep and cooler 80-82°F to be most comfortable for people swimming laps. Everyone wears a flotation belt, which keeps you comfortably suspended in the water. The workout combines cardio and strength training, often using water weights and other equipment. I find deep water classes especially freeing. With water all around you and plenty of room to move, there's a sense of weightlessness that's hard to describe until you've experienced it.
Both formats are excellent. What really makes them special are the instructors, the music, and the positive people who show up ready to exercise and have fun.
Meet the Instructors
Carol ("Killer Carol" or "Captain Carol")
Carol has been teaching water fitness for over a decade and is the most experienced instructor on the team. She creates themed playlists, changes up the exercises, shares stories, and continually teaches us about fitness and movement. She has also helped train many of the newer instructors.
Jan ("Joyful Jan")
Jan Wirtz is Deputy Director of Recreation & Adult Services for LO Parks & Rec. She returned to teaching water fitness to help expand the program and fills in when instructors are gone. My husband describes her classes as "exercise mixed with cheerleading." She brings energy, enthusiasm, great music and fun to every workout.
Veronica ("Vivacious Veronica")
A Lake Oswego native and lifeguard, Veronica now leads the water fitness program. Her classes are positive and full of energy. She too has curated fun playlists and dances around the pool area encouraging everyone to do their best.
Noah ("Nice Noah", "Nitro Noah" and "Rockin’ Noah”)
Noah is another lifeguard-turned-instructor whose classes are high-energy and entertaining. Last week he wore a cowboy hat while leading a series of cowboy-inspired kicking exercises. You never quite know what surprises Noah has planned. A friend says she calls him Rockin' Noah "because if he wasn’t part of a band in the past, he should have been."
Hannah ("H2O Hannah")
A friend describes Hannah's classes as "water based boot camp with upbeat dance music. She also leads a good strength training session with water weights and pool noodles." People who track their fitness on their watches say her classes burn a lot of calories.
Give Water Fitness a Try
Class schedules change periodically, so be sure to check the current schedule on the LORAC website before heading to the pool.
The hardest part of water fitness is putting on your swimsuit and getting into the water.
The best part? Once you're in, you'll probably feel like a kid again—while getting a good workout. In the winter it's lovely to be in the warm, covered pool area. In the summer, it's lovely to escape the heat in the pool.
Maybe we'll see you at the pool. There are usually 20-30 people in each class with plenty of room for newcomers.
The schedules change so you'll want to check the LORAC website. The schedule for now through June 14 is:
Monday - 8:45am shallow water class with Jan and 1pm shallow water with Carol
Tuesday - 8am shallow water and 9:30am deep water - both led by Carol
Wednesday - deep water at 8am with Hannah
Thursday - shallow water at 8am and deep water at 9:30am - led by Noah and Veronica
Friday - deep water at 8am and shallow water at 9:30am - led by Noah or Veronica
No classes on the weekend.
Classes are 1 hour
The schedule for June 15- june 28 is shown below:
Here's a link to the LORAC website with the schedules:
And here's a link to the "What to Know About LORAC" on their website:
The address of the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center (LORAC) is 17525 Stafford Road in Lake Oswego. The facility is located right next to Lakeridge High School on the Lake Oswego Municipal Golf Course property.
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