February Water Fitness Move of the Month - Jumping Jacks

Let’s jump in and explore the basics of this versatile, low-impact movement!

Movement Basics

• Shallow End: Jump both legs wide out to the side while arms lift at your side to just below the water’s surface. Jump legs back together while arms pull down and hands meet in front body. The move is just like a jumping jack on land, except arms only lift as high as the water’s surface, rather than overhead.
• Deep End: Similar to shallow water Jacks, but arms and legs move in opposition. Begin with legs together and arms lifted, as legs open to side, arms come down. Moving arms and legs in opposition will help to avoid bobbing up and down.

Arm Variations

• Open and close arms at chest level.
• Lift/lower one arm at a time, alternating lifts instead of together.
• Two-hand palm press out at chest level as legs open, then pull elbows back as legs close.
• Start with arms lifted in front of the body at chest level, pull them down and wide as legs open, then lift back to center as legs close.
• L arms – one arm lifts out to the side while the other lifts and lowers in front of the body.

Jack Variations

• Cross Jack: Perform a regular jack, but cross ankles and wrists as legs come together and arms come down.
• Tuck Jack: Tuck both knees up as legs come in
• Rocket Jack: Start with wide legs. Drive legs together to “pop” up and out of the water. In shallow water, drive legs in, pop out of the water, then as you come down, take legs wide again to touch down.
• Sit Jack: Lift long legs so they are straight out in front, forming an L-shape with the body. Open and close arms and legs, with the option to add a crossover of ankles and wrists.

Check back next month for another exciting move to add to your water fitness routine. Until then, enjoy your Jumping jack workout and keep making waves with your fitness goals!