The new frontier of fitness in the water? Is called Float Fit, an aquatic discipline born in Great Britain that is a candidate to become the trend of summer 2022. Floating fitness is a very intense workout, carried out on innovative “floating” mats, technically called “reax raft”, attached to lanes of the pool. This technique is aimed specifically at tone and strengthen all the musclesa, with particular attention to what in the Anglo-Saxon world is called “core”, ie the muscles of the central area of the back and abdomen. The unpredictability of the water amplifies the execution of all the exercises, creating different intensities according to the sequences performed and the accompanying musical rhythm, and forcing each muscle district to work in harmony with the whole body. The range of exercises to be performed is fun and offers multiple combinations of movements, from the softest to the most energetic. The result is never boring sessions through which muscle reactivity and metabolic activity are increased, while reducing the risk of injuries thanks to the fact that, moving on the aquatic surface, the joints suffer less from the classic impact that the hard surface could give. of the ground.
Float Fit, the new summer trend
Expert advice
“In the float fit on reax raft mats, exercises are carried out that simulate the structure of daily gestures, stimulating proprioception, body control and heart activity”, explains Manua Novati, coordinator of the courses at the Colonna Pool in Milan, who adds : «When those who train next to you move, they create a sudden disturbance that interferes with your balance, thus forcing you to react with rapid neuromuscular reactions and find a new adaptation and balance in the body. For this reason it is an unpredictable, effective and fun training that can also be very suitable for post-trauma recovery ».
The benefits
The benefits of Float Fit are not only physical, in terms of balance and coordination of movements, muscle strengthening and joint agility, but also psychic and emotional: concentration is enhanced and adrenaline is released, especially during group lessons. In Float Fit, willpower is also strengthened, learning to get back on the “mat” if you fall into the water, and to resume the exercises with a float in order to stay in balance.
To practice Float Fit it is necessary to wear sports costumes, preferably in shorts, to be freer in movements and better contain the muscle band. Lessons have an average duration of half an hour, and when you advance in level and technical preparation they can reach 45 minutes.
It is recommended to drink a lot at the end of the lesson, to replenish dispersed liquids with sweating. Before the lessons it is good not to have “heavy” meals, but small snacks, for example with a banana or dried fruit.
It is a workout that can also be practiced at the sea or lake, as long as the mattress is anchored and the surface of the water is flat like that of a swimming pool.
Exercises
On the Float Fit, depending on your preparation and experience, you can alternate high-impact sequences, such as push-ups, squats, abdominals or even jumps (in the case of Aquajumping), aimed at toning and shaping the arms, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, to more “sweet” positions (which draw on Yoga and Pilates) which preferably take place seated on the floating mat itself, and favor stretching and body perception, as well as the release of muscle tension. The fundamental thing is to never go “in apnea” while carrying out the exercises, and to always leave your breathing fluid. The lesson begins with a muscle “warm-up” phase in the water, then continues on the actual floating mat. After the high-impact sequences, the teacher always performs a few minutes of relaxing “recovery”.