Has anyone done deep water running?

[JillC]

I've just signed up for a deep water running class. I was told it's taught as a class similar to aqua aerobics and that they use weights to work the upper body.
Has anyone ever done this? Will I need water shoes?

[Jen]

I haven't done a "deep water running" class specifically, but for awhile I was going to a deep water aquacize class that involved some running (probably similar to what you'll be doing, with the weights, etc.). It's great and you get a better workout than you feel like you're getting! The water helps keep you cool. I never had water shoes - since you're in the deep end your feet never touch the ground anyway. They give you a flotation belt so that you stay upright in the water. I'd recommend taking a water bottle and leaving it by the side of the pool to come back to occasionally - lots of people don't bother but I found it helped me a lot. I'm also one of those people who needs to drink tons of water during exercise, though.

I should start going to that class again...it was a really good workout!

Jen

[Alisa]

When I was in University I went to water aerobic classes much like the ones Jen described - I found the deep water running to be the best part of the whole work-out. I really don't like to exercise, and this was the only thing I've ever found that was more like relaxation than exercising. I'd climb out of the pool feeling like I hadn't gotten a workout and then I'd realize my pulse was sky high and my legs were all jiggly. I miss that a lot. We have w. aerobics here but they do it in the shallow end and it's v-e-r-y s-l-o-w.....

[JillC]

Thanks for your replies Jen and Alisa!
Tonight I toured the place where I'll have the class which is indeed held in the deep end of the pool with flotation belts. They also have flotation booties you can wear for extra resistance. The woman who showed me around said that a lot of athletes with injuries take the class b/c it's such a great workout but is without impact.
I haven't exercised regularly for about 6 months, so I'm now wondering what I've gotten myself into!