At first glance, Aqua Zumba might look like a poolside party at Clyde Recreation Center. But behind the upbeat music, splashing water, and smiling faces is a powerful form of movement that’s transforming lives—one dance step at a time.
“It’s more than just a group fitness class,” says Jodi Thompson, who has been teaching fitness classes for over a decade. “It’s building a community.”
A certified instructor with thirteen years of teaching experience, Jodi leads her class through a dynamic blend of international dance styles—like salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton—set to a pulsating beat. But instead of a studio floor, her classroom is waist-deep in water.
Aqua Zumba is part of the broader Zumba fitness family, but it’s tailored for the water. Created with guidance from Olympic synchronized swimmer Maria Browning, the format emphasizes fluid movement with reduced joint impact. Participants perform cardio-intensive dance moves, but with the added resistance and support of the water.
“The buoyancy of the water is taking the strain of gravity off your joints,” Thompson explains. “You’re still working your heart, and you can still work your muscles, but you’re not hurting your joints.”
Thompson would know. After shoulder surgery made land-based workouts painful, a friend encouraged her to try Aqua Zumba.
“I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard of,” she admits. “I had been doing physical therapy for about two months on my shoulder and not making any progress. After a week of doing three Aqua Zumba classes, I could raise my arm; I couldn’t do that before. And so, it just kind of convinced me.”
Inclusivity is at the heart of Thompson’s approach. Her classes welcome everyone—from fitness newcomers to cancer survivors, seniors, and even individuals with disabilities. She’s had students with Down syndrome, dialysis patients, and people recovering from surgeries.
“Everybody that goes to water classes has a story,” she says. “Whether it’s an injury or arthritis or someone who just doesn’t really know what else to do. They come and they try it. They love it, and they love it because they can move.”
Unlike traditional fitness classes, Aqua Zumba removes many of the barriers that discourage people from getting active. There are no mirrors, no pressure to look a certain way, and no competition. “It’s just you against the water,” she says.
That freedom extends to how people connect. Many of Jodi’s students come for the exercise but stay for the camaraderie.
“I have my regulars, and it’s all about the friendship and the connection and having a place where people welcome you and are happy to see you,” Thompson says. “A lot of them go out to lunch after their workout together.”
Though it feels like a pool party, Aqua Zumba delivers serious health benefits. In addition to improving cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone, it enhances flexibility and balance. Because participants are constantly pushing against water resistance, they get a full-body workout that’s also easy on the joints.
“You can work every single muscle — your backs, your shoulders, your hips, thighs, quads, stomach core—all of it,” Thompson says. “You’re incorporating fitness with stretching and muscle strength training, so anybody can do it. You can add layers and levels and find where you are comfortable.”
For those who feel intimidated by traditional Zumba or think they’re “not coordinated enough,” Thompson has a simple invitation: “Try it. Come to an Aqua Zumba class, give it three or four times. There’s no judgment. People are so welcoming. We just want to have you come and be a part of our class and be a part of your fitness journey.”
Whether you’re recovering, reconnecting, or just looking for a different kind of workout, Aqua Zumba offers something that’s hard to find elsewhere: movement with meaning.
“I love being an instructor just because I’m inspired by every person’s story,” Thompson says. “There’s just love and a vibrant feeling of life and community that I just really enjoy. There’s a place for you and you can start anytime.”
Call Clyde Recreation Center at 801-491-7881 to reserve your spot in class today.
