How to Teach Prenatal Water Aerobics
There was a time when women were considered to be in a delicate condition during pregnancy--when they were expected to stay off their feet for nine months. Those days are long gone, however. In fact, an increasing number of expecting women are participating in prenatal fitness programs today. Water aerobics is a particularly good choice for prenatal exercise and offers many benefits for both mother and child. Find out how you can bring these benefits to your expecting students by learning how to teach prenatal water aerobics.
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Things You'll Need
- Prenatal water aerobics instruction certification
- Basic water aerobics instruction certification
Instructions
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Learn How to Teach Prenatal Water Aerobics
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Obtain your basic certification to teach water aerobics, if you are not currently certified. This core certification is good for two years and includes training and certification in the basics of water aerobics instruction, safety precautions and the application of CPR.
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Ask for program recommendations in which to get your certification to teach water aerobics from your current instructor or the director of the health club or spa that you belong to.
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Check out the water aerobics certification courses offered by WaterART Fitness International (see Resources below).
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Earn your certification to specialize in teaching prenatal water aerobics. Motherwell offers training for instructors who wish to teach prenatal water fitness and follows the safety guidelines set forth by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (see Resources below).
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Remember to renew all of your certifications every two years. The instructors of the training program where you received your certifications can assist you with this process.
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Tips & Warnings
Certain exercises may become uncomfortable for your students at some point in their pregnancy. Remain sensitive to this and try to assist your students with alternate positions or movements.
Make sure you have current emergency contact available for all prenatal students, just in case the Stork decides to make an early appearance.
Make sure that your pregnant students have medical clearance before they enroll in your prenatal water aerobics classes. In fact, you should require that each participant provide you with a signed medical release form.
Pregnancy cam promote sensitivity to the sun. Remind your prenatal students to use sunscreen if your water aerobics classes are conducted in an outdoor pool.
Caution your prenatal students about the danger of dehydration and encourage them to drink plenty of water before and after participating in water aerobics.
