Photo Credit: Eileen HothO
On a frigid winter day the icy air stings cheeks as snow crunches beneath booted feet. Entering the therapeutic pool facility in Hamburg, N.Y., is like finding an oasis amid frozen tundra. Crossing the threshold to the pool room, a visitor is met by waves of steam rising from the inviting water that fogs the air, coats windows, and envelops all in its humid warmth.
On this chilly January morning, 15 women and one man bob in the liquid heat of the 91-degree pool. They are working out with free weights and pool “noodles” in an exercise session led by fitness instructor Michele Geary. She is, by turns, standing or perched on a deck chair, demonstrating each exercise. The aqua-aerobics class is geared towards those 55 years and older, and consists of specially designed movements that use the water’s buoyancy and resistance to improve flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance.
The pool’s dimensions are 20 feet by 18 feet, with a maximum depth of 4 feet, 8 inches. At the time of construction, the size was limited by available land space with a capacity of 22 participants. It is open weekdays, offering an array of aquatic classes in mornings, afternoons, and evenings. All ages may participate at certain times by prior arrangement, and in the Tuesday and Thursday evening aqua classes and open-swim sessions.