FloatFit aquatic fitness classes get Australian launch

FloatFit, the world’s first floating fitness class, is being officially launched in Australia by Belgravia Leisure on 3rd November.

60 people will take to the water at the picturesque Cabarita Swimming Centre (CSC) on the shores of Sydney Harbour on Saturday to do a fun full-body workout on floating exercise mats.

Offering high-intensity and yoga-inspired classes, as well as ones for children, FloatFit is 40 minutes of low-impact exercise designed to suit all abilities.

At the launch, participants will be doing a high-intensity version and performing squats, mountain climbers and lunges while floating on an AquaBase, a rectangular inflatable device.

The CSC event marks the launch of FloatFit classes at six of Belgravia Leisure’s aquatic and leisure centres across NSW and Victoria.

Developed by UK-based water fitness company AquaPhysical, FloatFit classes have risen in popularity since they were first introduced in Europe in 2017.

Belgravia Leisure has bought 60 of the state-of-the-art boards, which feature a special textured surface to aid grip and are tethered to ropes so participants don’t float off.

Having tested FloatFit HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool on Sydney Harbour throughout 2017, Belgravia Leisure has responded to high levels of interest in the classes and is now introducing the classes at Cabarita Swimming Pool, Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, Tomaree Aquatic Centre, Waves Fitness & Aquatic Centre and Victoria Park Pool in Sydney. In Victoria, classes will be offered at the Faith Leech Aquatic Centre in Bendigo.

The centres will initially offer FloatFit HIIT before introducing FloatFit BALANCE, a yoga-inspired workout, and FloatFit GROW for children.

Gary Burton, Aqua Physical master instructor, says FloatFit HIIT is perfect for those who want to burn calories, build muscular strength, improve balance and have fun.

Burton advises “what attracts people to FloatFit is that it’s really fun.

“It’s a high-intensity interval training workout and because it’s on the water, it’s great for the body’s proprioception – the sense of knowing your body’s relative position in space.

“Proprioception diminishes as you get older, so this type of exercise is excellent for maintaining that awareness, which can help to prevent falls and trips later on in life.”

Burton says the class is suitable for all ages and abilities, explaining “one of my first participants was an 80-year-old woman. She got on the base and did her very best to balance. It can be tricky at first, but she persevered – people usually adjust to the board within 10 to 15 minutes.”

For time-poor people, Burton sees that the 40-minute format is also convenient, commenting “you can get a good workout in just over half an hour. You’re hitting all the exercise buttons that you need to hit – strength, cardio, flexibility – it’s all there. You don’t realise how much effort you’re putting in until the next day when you ache.”

Burton especially enjoys the classes at the outdoor pools, adding “it feels amazing to be out in the weather, getting all the sunshine, a little tan and there’s plenty of happy vibes.”

James Ellender, Belgravia Leisure General Manager of Marketing and Strategy, says he’s excited to welcome the company’s fitness and industry partners and members of the public to Saturday’s event, advising that it will be “Australia’s biggest FloatFit class ever”.

Ellender advises “AquaPhysical, the licensee of the product, can confirm there has never been 60 boards in a pool before.

“Against the backdrop of the stunning Cabarita Swimming Centre, it will be a great experience for participants and a fun photo opportunity.”

One of the main reasons Belgravia Leisure chose the Aqua Physical program was because of Burton’s experience and ability, with Ellender noting “the program has been thoroughly researched and developed by fitness experts in the UK and all our instructors have been trained to the highest standard by Gary.

“We’re taking a new and well-respected product and dropping it into the Australian context, which has some of the most enticing pools in the world.”

Belgravia Leisure is the first company in Australia to implement the FloatFit program at scale.

Ellender concludes “water has been predominately limited to aqua aerobics over the years and it hasn’t been the focus of much innovation in terms of exercise programs.

“FloatFit classes will attract a new cohort to the pool: those folk that might be stuck in the cross-fit gyms and want to mix it up. It won’t replace their gym workout routine, but it will complement it – and it’s fun and you can do it with your friends.”

Belgravia Leisure’s ‘Biggest FloatFit class ever’ will be held at Cabarita Swimming Centre in Concord, NSW on Saturday 3rd November 2018, from 11.30am-12.55pm.

The class is free, but members of the public must register their attendance via Eventbrite at biggestfloatfitever.eventbrite.com.au

Images: FloatFit classes in action and (below) being trialled at the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool in Woolloomooloo.