USAG-RED CLOUD - Soldiers and Civilians now have a new choice for physical training and exercise regimens since Aqua PT has begun. The new program allows trainees to gain a more thorough exercise in a shorter amount of time than running or jogging would allow, explains Paul Henevich, USAG-RC aquatics specialist.
"This type of exercise concentrates on the entire body, not just the legs or arms," Henevich said. "The normal physical training Soldiers get gives their joints a lot of pounding. Aqua PT eliminates that type of injury."
Aqua PT was originally developed by the 1992 Olympic Training Committee. Henevich explained he drew from his experience with that committee in formulating the regimen offered by Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports as well as taking expert advice from 121 Hospital in Yongsan.
The technique of Aqua PT brings along many benefits in contrast to the physical training regimens Soldiers are already doing, Henevich said.
"Aqua PT is a low to no impact workout," Henevich said. "The Soldier gets the benefit of not having the pounding on the legs or knees, with no shin splints or lower back problems. It is a way of getting relief from pounding the pavement every day. It also targets the endurance of the athlete. Within two weeks the participant should see a difference in their run. They should feel more refreshed after a two- mile run than they normally do."
The more you push into the water, the harder the water pushes back, Henevich said. It definitely is a workout where the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.
There are parts of Aqua PT illustrated in the Army physical fitness manual, but it is not generally put into action by noncommissioned officers because most have not been trained with it. This situation may be because the Soldiers day is a very crowded workday and PT time does not always allow for the extra time it would take to get ready for Aqua PT.
"Everything we do is on the clock," Henevich said. "We allow minutes for rest and we have set times for the different exercises."
Henevich had many Soldiers ask how to exercise using Aqua techniques, so he developed a program with a specific regimen athletes could follow to enhance their physical fitness training.
One does not have to be a swimmer to participate in Aqua PT, Henevich said. Non swimmers are sometimes afraid to come to the Aqua PT workout because they do not know it does not involve swimming.
"I came to Aqua PT to try something different from our daily workout," said Sgt. 1st. Class Corye Carrington. "My PT score is pretty good, so I really do not have to do this to improve; I just wanted to do something different for enjoyment. This is more of a cardio-vascular type of workout, so I know it will improve my running and other workout activities. We should be doing this for morning PT more than once a week."
"I came to enhance my normal PT routine," said Staff Sgt. Jose Cabrera. "I do PT twice every day. I am always looking for more ideas to push my workout. I heard about Aqua PT and came out to try it. It is definitely worth the effort. This is a lot better than regular PT because it allows you to do more without damaging your joints."
"I heard this was a very good workout and good conditioning, so I came out for it," said Capt. David Cornelius. "This will improve every Soldier's PT skills and I highly recommend it."
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