I’ve never been good at getting regular exercise. That’s one reason I like to take classes, they help me stay motivated by providing diversity and community. Over the years I’ve taken regular aerobics classes, step aerobics, salsa aerobics, and jazzercise classes. I’ve also taken spinning classes, abs classes, kick-boxing classes, weight tone classes, and once — just once — a running class. I’ve also tried yoga and pilates, and I’m sure I’m forgetting half a dozen other classes. I’m a class person.

Right now I’m taking a deep water running class. It’s exactly what it sounds like — you run in the water. Most people wear some type of buoyancy device (belts are common, as are cuffs) to keep their heads above water. Then you run, using as close to the same form that you use when you run on land. You do this in deep water, so the only part of your body that’s out of the water is your head — which means that you are getting a zero-impact, full-body resistance workout.

It’s both easier and harder than it sounds. It’s fun, diverting, and it wipes me out. Here’s a little video showing what it looks like (note: I’m not in the video — I’m not that brave — I googled it up).