Participants in running in water classes stay tethered in place, but go far as they reap the rewards of cardiovascular and muscular benefits of working out in water.
The classes, held in various locations in the western suburbs, are the brainchild of Jennifer Conroyd, a La Grange resident who started her business Fluid Running in 2011. The company provides classes and personal training in deep water running and certifies instructors.
Conroyd, a certified personal trainer and marathoner with 17 races under her belt, became interested in the benefits of running while immersed in water after she tore a calf muscle six weeks before she was scheduled to run in the Chicago marathon.
Taking part in the race was a particular goal for her because her five siblings were going to run to raise money to fight juvenile diabetes, an illness that one of her nephews has.
“I thought I was out of that race,” she said. “But I was determined to do it because it was so important to me.”
She researched ways to rehabilitate and connected with a coach who talked her through some of the aspects of running in water. She was able to run the marathon and had found a calling.
“I said, ‘If you can not just keep me in running shape, but in marathon shape, I’m going to do this with my life,'” she said.
Conroyd stayed true to that vow when she started the business. Participants wear flotation devices and are tethered to a lane divider as they run in the water. They don’t touch the ground with their feet. They move their arms, which provides an upper body work-out against the resistance of the water, and utilize their core muscles to stay vertical.
“We mimic land running in the water,” Conroyd said.
The work outs require a pool that’s at least 6 feet deep. They are done to music and everyone works out at their own pace. An ultra marathoner could be working out next to someone who is a novice in terms of exercise, Conroyd said.
Conroyd also teaches other exercise pros about the ins and outs of her methods of running in water.
She has developed a curriculum that includes in-pool and out-of-the-pool training for others to become certified. The training is recognized by the Aquatic Exercise Association and the American Council on Exercise. She has certified 77 instructors nationwide, she said.
One of the places where Fluid Running classes are offered is at the Oak Brook Park District.
“They’re extremely popular,” said Jessica Gray, aquatics manager. “I think people like that they are a different kind of work out.”
The workout is challenging and involves intervals of running, high intensity sprints and recovery time.
“I have some football player size lifeguards who’ve done it and said, ‘Oh look at that, that’s so easy,'” said Gray. “But then they do it and they say, ‘Wow. That was a really good workout.'”
Hinsdale resident Jackie Edgewater started doing Fluid Running classes four months ago at the suggestion of a friend. She had a torn muscle in her hip and was in pain.
“I didn’t want to go the surgery route,” she said. “I thought this would be a good addition to the physical therapy I was already doing.'”
The workouts get her heart beating, but do not put strain on her joints.
“I sweat while I’m in water,” she said.
She has been taking the classes twice a week at WEST Superior Training in Willowbrook, and has seen her hip pain disappear. She used to do kick boxing, hot yoga, and other intense workouts, but feels she no longer needs those.
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“Now that I’m pain free, I’ve let go of some of those more intense activities,” she said.
Conroyd said a benefit of running in water for injured athletes is that they can return to working out more quickly in water than on land and there is less impact on their joints in water.
“They can start working out much quicker in water than on land,” she said.
Conroyd said her goal for her business is to increase the numbers of those who are certified to teach and to see Fluid Running spread throughout the country.
“We’ve got big plans,” she said. “My goal is to make it a national fitness program. I’d like to see it expand to more park districts and YMCAs. I’d like to have it in every state.”
Today, it’s offered in various places in the western suburbs including WEST Superior, the Oak Brook Park District, the Clarendon Hills Park District and at 13 YMCAs.
Edgewater said she hopes the good feeling she gets from running in water lasts.
“You get out and you feel good for the rest of the day,” she said. “I don’t see myself quitting this any time soon.”
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