# What is aquagym, and who is it for? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-aquagym/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-14 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Aquagym, also called aqua aerobics or aquafit, is a group exercise class in a swimming pool, usually in water around chest height, led by an instructor on the poolside to music. It suits almost anyone, including people who can't swim well, because you stand in the shallow end, and the water hides every wobble, which makes it one of the least self-conscious ways to try a class. Look for sessions at public pools, lidos, sports centres and many Italian seaside and spa towns. Aquagym has a reputation as something your aunt does on holiday, and it deserves a better one. It is a full class with music, an instructor and a room full of people moving together, except the room is a pool, and the floor is somewhere under your feet doing its best. In Italy, where *acquagym* is a fixture at hotels, *lidos* and municipal pools all summer, you will see every kind of person in the water, from teenagers to grandfathers, usually laughing. ## What a session is like Classes vary, but a typical one goes like this: - **The instructor stands on the poolside**, demonstrating each move in exaggerated slow motion so you can follow from the water. Some go in with the group. - **You stand in the shallow end**, usually at chest or waist height, spread out so everyone has room. - **The music starts**, and you work through a series of moves: marching and jogging on the spot, jumping jacks, kicks, arm sweeps, side steps, the occasional bit of choreography that everyone gets slightly wrong at the same time. - **Equipment appears.** Foam dumbbells, pool noodles, floating belts, sometimes small steps or even underwater bikes in specialist classes. - **A gentle wind-down** at the end, and then the walk across the cold tiles to the changing room, which is the real test of character. Some classes are gentle; some are surprisingly hard work. The water pushes back against every movement, so the more vigorously you move, the more you feel it. The same class can be relaxed or energetic depending on how much effort you put in. ## Why the water helps beginners For many people, the hardest part of a first fitness class is the feeling of being watched. Aquagym quietly removes most of that. Below the surface, nobody can see whether your kick is elegant or whether you have lost the rhythm. Everyone looks roughly the same: a row of heads and splashing arms. Mistakes disappear into the water. The pace is also forgiving. If you need a breather, you can stand still and nobody notices. If a move does not work for you, you can do a smaller version. And because the session happens in the shallow end, you don't need to be a confident swimmer to join. ## Who it is for Almost everyone. Aquagym suits: - **People new to exercise classes** who would like a gentle introduction. - **People returning after a long break** who prefer to start somewhere relaxed. - **Non-swimmers and nervous swimmers**, as long as the class stays in water where they can stand, which is worth confirming when booking. - **Anyone who simply likes water**, music and company. If you are pregnant, recovering from an injury or have a medical condition, it is worth checking with your doctor or physiotherapist first, and telling the instructor before the class. ## How to find a class - **Your local pool or leisure centre** is the obvious place to start. Look under "aqua aerobics", "aquafit" or "aqua fitness" on the timetable. - **On holiday in Italy**, look for *acquagym* or *acquafitness* at hotels, campsites, *stabilimenti balneari* and municipal pools. Some beach clubs run classes in the sea. - **Lidos and outdoor pools** often run summer sessions, which are a particular pleasure on a warm morning. - **Ask about levels.** Some centres run gentle and more energetic versions. ## FAQ ### Do I need to be able to swim? Not usually, because most classes take place in water you can stand in. Check before booking, tell the instructor you are a non-swimmer, and stay where your feet touch the bottom. If you would like to learn, our page on [learning to swim properly as an adult](https://zestasy.com/movement/learning-to-swim-properly-as-an-adult/) is a good next step. ### What should I wear? A comfortable swimsuit or swim shorts that stay put when you jump. Some people like pool shoes for grip and warmth. Leave jewellery in the locker. ### Will I get cold? In an indoor pool, usually not once you are moving. In outdoor pools or the sea, it depends on the day. The more energetically you move, the warmer you will stay. ### Is aquagym a "real" workout? It can be as gentle or as demanding as you make it. The water resists every movement, so pushing harder makes it harder. Whether it counts is up to you; we think a class you enjoy and go back to counts a great deal. Our guide to [your first group fitness class](https://zestasy.com/wiki/first-fitness-class/) has more on surviving the first session of anything. ## Related - [What should you expect from your first group fitness class?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/first-fitness-class/) - [Is it worth learning to swim properly as an adult?](https://zestasy.com/movement/learning-to-swim-properly-as-an-adult/) - [Is it too late to start a new sport in your sixties?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/moving-in-older-age/) - [How do you get comfortable putting your face in the water?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/face-in-the-water/) - [Why can't some people float?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/why-some-people-sink/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)