Caron Hutchinson had an active background in horseback riding and tennis. Yet, her highly demanding job as a supervisor of clinical research meant her fitness regimen frequently fell by the wayside.
It took her blood pressure rocketing into unsafe territory to inspire her to make some changes — and changes she made! She retired from work and decided to prioritize her health, hoping that lifestyle improvements would lead to better heart health.
Caron made a significant step to employ these new goals — she became a member of The Paseo Club. In this article, you will learn about what inspired Caron to take her health more seriously, how she found Liquid Cardio water aerobics class, and why that class is helping her to live her best life.
Between a rock and a hard place
Caron had a very tough job at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. She supervised a team of fifteen clinical research coordinators, conducting over 70 clinical trials on children suffering with blood cancers. Her job “consumed” her, and the accompanying stress was sky-high.
Two years ago, she returned from an Alaskan cruise vacation and found she had 1500 new work-related emails in her inbox. Simultaneously, her blood pressure had been steadily increasing, and she needed higher doses of medication to manage it.
It was at this pivotal moment, and with an air of despair, that she turned to her husband and asked for his support in her decision to retire. Her husband wholeheartedly agreed. He said, “thank goodness for that!” and politely suggested she begin her retirement by looking at her now “nonexistent” fitness.
Finding a place to reconnect with movement
Caron knew that joining a fitness center would be a good choice for her. She became a member of The Paseo Club and decided to explore all its departments.
After touring the gym, she realized she was not a “gym person.” Pickleball and tennis weren’t quite the right fit, either, as her husband wasn’t keen to partner her! She did, however, find a new passion in the pool.
Liquid Cardio
When Caron arrived at her first Liquid Cardio class, her ankles were swollen, and she was often out of breath. To top it off, she had recently had a blood pressure reading of 178/98.
Liquid Cardio class was not easy as she expected! She worked at learning the exercises and started relatively slowly. She did, however, feel great afterwards and decided to keep going.
Liquid Cardio is The Paseo Club’s water aerobics program. This class is cardio and strength training and uses the resistance of the water to grow muscle, improve flexibility, and boost heart health. It is a comprehensive program because it is a full-body workout.
Caron began to attend Liquid Cardio 4-5 times a week. She got stronger, more energetic, and had increased stamina. Her ankles began to slim. She was no longer breathless, and best of all, her BP began to drop.
Caron can now keep up with the best of them and uses the “heavy” water aerobic dumbbells, which have been created to perform a similar function to their dry land counterparts.
The main difference between regular weights and ones made for pools, are the water weights are made from foam and plastic versus a heavy metal.
Water weights, or aquatic weights, utilize the resistance of water to provide a workout similar to land-based resistance training. When submerged, the water provides an upward force (buoyancy) that counteracts gravity. This buoyancy makes it harder to move the weights in the water, creating resistance for your muscles. The larger the foam weights, the “heavier” they are.
Caron tries to attend four to five Liquid Cardio classes per week. She also claims the instructors are “fantastic” and the class is both an excellent challenge and a judgment-free zone.
Her blood pressure dropped into a normal range between 110/50-120/60, leading her doctors to decrease her medication. Caron sleeps well at night and feels great. She calls herself the “poster child for the benefits of the Liquid Cardio class.”
Liquid Cardio is not just for fitness and health
Caron was pleased to discover that many of the attendees at Liquid Cardio were really lovely people. Although they work hard in class, they always make time to joke and laugh. Training together through the cool rainy days and the blistering hot ones bonded them. These social connections have led to shared meals, message groups, and long-term friendships.
These “old ladies” aren’t messing around
Although Liquid Cardio and other water aerobics classes tend to be attended by women in their fifties, sixties, and seventies, this fitness program is not for the faint of heart. It is a myth that Liquid Cardio is, “a bunch of old ladies floating around to music.”
According to Harvard Medical School,
- You burn up to 50% more calories in water than in air
- Water aerobics improves coordination, balance, and agility
- People who do water aerobics have more lean muscle mass
- This is the best method for minimizing stress and impact on joints
- Water is denser than air and provides 12% to 14% more resistance
- Water aerobics is a “double-duty workout” — cardio and strength training
- It is a comprehensive, full-body workout, so you do not need to perform other forms of exercise
The Caron Hutchinson Liquid Cardio Challenge
Caron has heard the titters and seen the eye rolls as people walk by the pool, observing Liquid Cardio. Yet, how many people have actually attended a class?
Caron is inviting The Paseo Club community to lose their preconceptions and try Liquid Cardio. She predicts you will get a better workout and, at least to begin with, be more sore afterwards than you might imagine. Even multi-marathoner and instructor Jodi Broz says she does not want to be without Liquid Cardio.
Liquid Cardio is non-competitive — which is great for people who feel intimidated by gyms or fitness classes. It is also customizable according to each person’s abilities. You can move faster and use larger water dumbbells when you want a hard workout and not use dumbbells (or select smaller, “lighter” ones) and move slower when you need to go easier.
Caron is proud to say she is feeling healthy, energetic, and more socially fulfilled — all because of her time in class. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that her calves are looking rather shapely!
The Paseo Club’s mission is to support and encourage athletes of all ages, abilities, and interests to live the best, healthiest, and most fulfilling life possible. Caron is a wonderful example of this and we are so pleased to share her story with you.
Liquid Cardio is Monday through Saturday 9:15-10:15 am and is free to attend with membership. Classes do fill up, so register in advance. The pool is always set to a comfortable 82 degrees. Accept Caron’s invitation and see what Liquid Cardio is really like!
If you would like support and guidance in becoming more physically active, The Paseo Club has certified personal trainers that can help you. When you sign up for sessions with a personal trainer, you also receive a free initial fitness assessment and a three-month fitness plan. Join us today. We can’t wait to see you!
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