The editorial team tries it out: what is aquaflats and why is it the perfect workout for summer?

Aquaflat is a functional training on a raft in the pool. The same exercises as in the gym, but on the unstable surface of a plastic raft attached by carabiners to the lane dividers. The raft can be attached to both short sides and long sides for greater stability.

After reading about a new type of fitness, the whole Lifestyle department decided to try aquaflat on ourselves, and Crocus Fitness Studio helped us in this, where they have been promoting this trend, which came to us from France, for a year already and is open to all comers.

We arrived to the fitness center a little earlier than the appointed time and caught the training of not beginners. The class lasted 30 minutes and began with smiles and confidence that today no one will fall into the water. The first movement is “storm” – put your feet in the middle of the long sides of the raft and start walking without taking your feet off. The raft on the air cushion is very malleable: it is worth not calculating the effort and a little more lean on one foot, as it goes out from under your feet and you fly into the water. But the experienced group passed this test easily. And then the difficult level began: planks, lunges, push-ups, burpees, jumps with a twist – during the training everyone fell into the pool, and not once, but they climbed onto the raft with enthusiasm and even greater desire to defeat gravity.

What goals do people who start exercising set?

“From weight loss to having fun. Everyone can get what they want here. During a 30-minute workout, 200-250 calories are burned – this is on average, because everyone has different intensity, some people can’t catch the balance for a long time, so they do slowly or don’t do all the exercises. A trained trainer will make a program so that the load is enough for everyone in the group. If you eat right and, for example, do only aquaflats three times a week, you can quickly get in shape,” says Nikita Khavruk, personal trainer, instructor of aquatic programs at Crocus Fitness.

Who is not suitable for?

It is suitable for everyone – we were convinced of this when we got on the rafts ourselves. The girls from our department have different levels of physical fitness, but we were satisfied with the training, our muscles were also pleasantly sore – it means that the load was not in vain. According to the trainer, the best chances to stay on the raft are for those who have small muscles-stabilizers, which help us to keep our balance. So, if you are an experienced yogi or have practiced body balance, you will conquer the rafts. If, however, you’ve been working out in the gym for volume, you’ll probably have to “swim” a lot during your first training sessions until your stabilizers start working.

Safety rules:

• the raft should always be secured with a carabiner to the lane dividers;
• keep your feet on the edges of the raft, keep your knees straight, tense your abs and keep your body centered on the floating surface;
• if a fall is unavoidable, fall sideways because the short sides of the raft are not protected by a soft, non-slip mat;
• do not be afraid! Falling into the water from your own height does not hurt at all. If you can’t swim, place the raft in a part of the pool where you can reach the bottom.

What to do if you are tired?

No one will not force you to do all the exercises, do to the best of your ability. Take pauses between exercises, approaches. You can take a child’s pose and so restore breathing.

How to prepare yourself for training on rafts aquaflat?

Of course, people familiar with functional training will find it easier to master the same exercises on the water. Experience in surfing, snowboarding or wakeboarding will be a big plus, exercises on bosu (rigid platform up) will also help. In general, aquaflat is not much like anything else, so you just have to show up and try it out!

What to wear: a swimsuit or t-shirt and tights?

For this pool fitness activity, a swimsuit is not preferred. For more comfort, wear gym shorts, tights and a t-shirt – plus you’ll gain a new experience swimming in the pool in your gym uniform.

How do I get in for a workout?

In order to practice aquaflight, you do not need to buy an expensive semi-annual or annual pass to a fitness club: each session is paid separately, costs 550 rubles, you can sign up at the reception of the studio. In summer, training takes place in an outdoor pool, and in winter in an indoor pool at Crocus Fitness. The direction is popular, so sign up in advance and boldly go to master a new type of fitness.

Who will benefit: peoplewho want to have fun and spend time on the water.

What it’s aimed at: burning calories, getting your body in shape and improving balance and coordination.

Level of difficulty: from beginners to pros.