Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility 8 Dynamic Water Fitness Classes | YMCA of Central Virginia
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Water Fitness

Get in and Get Moving

Dive into a refreshing and invigorating way to stay fit with our dynamic water fitness classes. Whether you’re looking for a full-body workout, gentle low-impact exercise, or specialized senior exercise classes designed for those with arthritis, our programs cater to all fitness levels. Our heated exercise pool offers a unique and supportive environment where you can engage in energizing water aerobics and calming aqua yoga sessions. Enjoy the incredible benefits of water resistance while improving your overall strength, flexibility, and endurance.

WATER WORKOUTS For Every Fitness Level

a woman in a swimming pool

Aqua Bootcamp

High Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Jamerson Family YMCA
Downtown YMCA

All fitness levels can benefit from this high intensity interval workout using resistance equipment for an additional challenge. Combines strength and pool aerobics training with water resistance to give you an awesome overall body workout.

a woman in a pool

Aqua Tabata

High Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Downtown YMCA
Jamerson Family YMCA

HIIT training classes involve a high intensity interval training workout in the water. Participants use maximal effort for a set amount of time and recover for a shorter amount of time for 8 rounds of work. For example, 20/10 seconds. Suspension and weights may also be used in class.

a group of people sitting in a pool

Aqua Tone

Medium Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Downtown YMCA
Jamerson Family YMCA

A combination of fat-burning cardio and muscle-toning techniques using dumbbells and engaging in aqua aerobics with the resistance of the water. This low-impact workout helps improve overall strength, endurance, and flexibility while being easy on the joints.

a woman in a swimming pool

Aqua Yoga

Low Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Downtown YMCA

Aqua yoga, also known as water yoga, brings traditional yoga poses and mindful movement into a warm water environment. These gentle water yoga exercises use the buoyancy and resistance of the water to support the body while improving balance, flexibility, and strength with minimal impact on the joints. Swimming pool yoga is a calming, full-body workout that’s accessible for a wide range of fitness levels.

a group of women in a pool with dumbbells

S’WET™

High Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Jamerson Family YMCA
Downtown YMCA

Structured Water Exercise Training delivers a high intensity, low-impact cardio and strength training experience. S’WET™ combines muscle, strength, and high intensity interval training (aka HIIT training classes) with advanced cardio, plyometrics, equipment from the swim world, and a splash of fun.

a woman in a pool

Cardio Energize

High Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Downtown YMCA

Challenging high-energy workout using a combination of shallow and deep-water exercises. Expect powerful movements, quick transitions, and an upbeat atmosphere that pushes your limits and keeps you engaged from start to finish.

a woman in a swimming pool

Deep Water

High Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Jamerson Family YMCA

A great non-impact pool aerobics workout using floatation devices in the deep water. This class helps improve core strength, endurance, and flexibility while providing a challenging full-body workout with no stress on the joints.

a group of women in a pool

Aqua Lite

Low Intensity

LOCATIONS:
Jamerson Family YMCA

A workout emphasizing range of motion, gentle stretching, and muscular strength while incorporating cardio bursts and pool aerobics. Designed to be low-impact and joint-friendly, this class is ideal for individuals seeking to stay active, enhance mobility, and build strength at a comfortable pace.

AQUATIC FITNESS Frequently Asked Questions

All fitness levels can benefit from this high-intensity interval workout using resistance equipment for an additional challenge. Combines strength and aerobic training with water resistance to give you an awesome overall body workout.

Yes, aquatic fitness classes at the Downtown YMCA and the Jamerson Family YMCA are included with your Y membership. This means you can enjoy a wide range of water exercise classes at no extra cost. With flexible schedules and various options, your Y membership gives you full access to the programs that best suit your needs and goals.

Aquatic fitness is perfect for low-impact workouts, reducing stress on joints and minimizing injury risk. The water’s resistance helps build strength, endurance, and flexibility, while its buoyancy makes it ideal for those with arthritis or mobility issues. It’s a great way to improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

For an aquatic fitness class, bring a swimsuit, towel, and of course, yourself. Water shoes are also recommended for better grip, and don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Where To Find Us

Jamerson Family YMCA

801 Wyndhurst Drive, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502

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Downtown YMCA

1315 Church Street, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24504

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170 Years of Voices that Matter

Clean facility, great classes (and if you ever take their power yoga classes, you HAVE to go to Marinda's class, she is the best!). Weights area could be set up a little better, but there is a very wide variety of equipment available. Great pools, awesome kids pool area/water playground.

Maegan P.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2017

This YMCA boasts a well appointed exercise facility complete with full swimming and weight lifting amenities all to the accompaniment of a knowledgeable and extremely inviting staff. When I started here I was a complete novice, but I now know my way around a weight room quite well thanks to the friendly and helpful people. I highly recommend this place. Try the Zumba strong and...

Google R.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2017

Great gym with great facilities. Staff are friendly and helpful. Includes an indoor pool with full locker room and showers as well as a multipurpose gym (basketball, etc.) and instructor-led exercise/fitness studios. Also, the facility has a large fitness area including cardio equipment, weight machines, free weight area, and yoga room. The downside is that because this is the primary facility of its kind in...

Jeremy H.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2019

Get for the kids during the winter. They have to pass a swim test to be allowed to curtain parts of the pool as well as the 2 slides (which I don't have pictures of) Green Band for 2/3 foot deep, buckets and 1 slide. Red Band for anywhere and both slides. They have swim noodles for everyone as well. Me and the hubby like...

Hope

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2019

I LOVE THE WARM POOL SO MUCH!!!! THE JACUZZI IS A LIFESAVER TOO!!! HAVING ACCESS TO BOTH, EVEN IF ONLY FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE IS INCREASING!! 💯💯🙏🏿🙏🏿😭😭🙌🏾🙌🏾

Virginia S.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2022

Friendly staff, great facilities! The single worst place I've seen for goggle thieves. If you wear goggles to swim, make sure you hold them tight! I've left mine in the changing room and lost 3 pairs...

Dylan P.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2022

Just spent a little over 3 hours at the Family Pool at the Jamerson YMCA with two of my grandchildren. Although I am a long-term YMCA member I have limited my visits to the downtown branch (which I love, btw). Our Family Pool experience was off the charts. The lifeguards, the support staff, the hot tub, the slides, etc. far exceeded my expectations. Another Central...

Greg M.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2022

It has a big pool and its comforting and has a gym and great service

Anne R.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2025

I love the Jamerson YMCA! The zero-entry pool is perfect for kids—it’s one of our favorite places to spend time together. I do wish the buckets and slides were on more often, but I understand that depends on having extra lifeguards available. The childcare staff are absolutely amazing—they’ve cared for my daughter since she was just 8 weeks old, and she’s almost 3 now! My...

Mitchell H.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2025

Caitlin Church has been my daughter’s instructor since Stage 1, and she is now in Stage 3. Throughout this time, Caitlin has been absolutely amazing. She is friendly, patient, and consistently goes above and beyond to help my daughter become a confident and capable swimmer. I have never met an instructor who is as dedicated and determined as Caitlin when it comes to helping children...

Yitbarek W.

Jamerson Family YMCA · 2025

I worked and worked out here for a number of years. There are a wide variety of programs and exercise classes, and the free weights area is great, although sometimes it can get a little cramped at peak hours. They are continually working on expanding and updating their facilities, and I absolutely love the pools.

Maegan P.

Downtown YMCA · 2017

Pool, cardio equipment, weights, sauna: exactly what you expect from a Y. It's the oldest one in the area but they offer towel service which is nice.

Ben M.

Downtown YMCA · 2018

a group of children sitting in a pool

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