AOM Programming: The Aquatics Option

Flexible AOM Customer Programming Options: “Aquatics Programming”

This is Article #5 in our AOM Customer Support Program Series. The feedback that Ann Gilbert and I are receiving from our audiences is helping us tremendously in flushing out and fine-tuning our content.

This Article will cover Aquatics as a flexible programming option.

To keep us all on the same page, for those Readers who are joining us for the first time, the Graphic below captures the essence of our AOM Support Program Series.

We would also like to point out that these “blended” support services will be delivered within the scope-of-our-practice as Fitness Professionals.

In Article #2, Ann & I also introduced the need to create flexible Customer-Centric Omnichannel Programming Options that can meet the AOM Customer “where-they-are-at” in their “journeys-to-success”. We had received feedback from members of our Audience to explain “why-the-need-for-flexible-programming”? From our perspective, this is a really great question.

The Need For Flexible Programming: The AOM Customer Profile.

As you recall in our Staff Training Article (Article #3), we introduced our AOM Customer Profile Concept. This Concept consisted of 3 interrelated sections: Physiological, Psychological (Pre-AOM) and the potential Customer-Centric Reactions to their AOMs. These 2 Graphics below summarizes these conditions in each category.

We acknowledge that the items included in Lists #1, #2 & #3 are all potential issues/challenges that may be experienced by our AOM Customers. To the extent we understand these potential challenges, is the extent that can modify our programming options accordingly.

If and/or when these issues occur, these side effects may impact how our Customers feel on any particular day/time in relation to participating successfully in their customer-centric Programs. This creates what we call the “Good Day/Bad Day” Reality. Should this occur, it's crucial that we have adaptable/flexible programming options available so we can modify our training sessions accordingly.

At this point in this Article, we will take a more “granular” look into our Programming discussion by introducing Aquatics Programming as an inviting, viable and flexible option for AOM Customers.

We want to also acknowledge that we understand that every facility in our Sector does not have a Pool. However, there are many facilities in our Sector that do have Pools. As such, we need to address how Aquatics Programming can be positioned as an AOM Customer Support option.

Meet The Aquatic Programming Side of Ann Gilbert

Of the 38+years in the Health & Fitness Sector, Ann has not only spent 18+ years of teaching, creating & delivering Aquatic Programming options to Active & Inactive Adults, but she has also been recognized as a Continuing Education Provider & Master Trainer for various Aquatics-Focused training organizations. These include the following Organizations:

>WaterInMotion

>SCW Aquatic Summit Conferences

>SCW MANIA Annual Conferences

Certified by the Aquatics Exercise Association, Ann has summarized for our Readers the benefits of Aquatics Programming in the Chart below. As you can see, the potential exists for the Physiological & Psychological Benefits, if implemented & managed correctly, to either “jump-start” &/or facilitate the AOM Customer Journey.

For those Customers who are experiencing the “Good Day/Bad”, the Psychological upside of Aquatics Programming can be used as an alternative that is less stressful. For those Customers who cannot handle any impact activities, the Aquatics Physiological upside can keep them moving with minimal impact on their bodies.

If we don't have access to any flexible programming options, we will only be able to offer a one-dimensional series of options that will not always be responsive to the AOM Customer's evolving physiological & psychological needs.

Having the Aquatics option is another “layer-of-value” for your AOM Customer Support Program.

Aquatics Program Design Format. For those Readers who may not be familiar with the Program Design Format for Aquatics Programming, Ann has put together the following abridged Program Design Overview:

>WARM UP: Increases the Core temperature of the body while moving in the sagittal plane. One will slowly increase lever length and?in the frontal and transverse planes. Patterns or movements are reversed that will be repeated throughout the session. There is a fusion of rhythmic and dynamic stretching as one moves to the conditioning phase

>CONDITIONING: As the session continues, as if climbing up a bell curve, coaches will introduce multi plane movements and unique combinations, including both water and land speed patterns. The drag and resistance of the water increase cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance.?

>STRENGTH TRAINING SPECIFICITIES are added according to format planned with the assistance of toys and tools the facility may offer.?

>FLEXIBILITY: Drag buoyancy works together to elongated muscles and increase ROM at every joint.?

>BUOYANCY: Forces core stabilization throughout the entire session while lengthening the spine in the low impact environment

The following CHART summarizes the Branded Aquatics Programs that Ann has developed & currently use at her Fit-HER Club in the Tampa-Metro Area in Florida.

These and similar Aquatic & Land Based Programs have been successfully blended together and utilized by Ann long before AOMs became available.

Once again, none of our Operational & Programming Assumptions are absolute. They are designed to continue the Operational & Programming conversations. ?

As additional feedback & research becomes available, adjustments will be made to our thesis accordingly.

Our final thoughts to our Readers……..If your current Operations & Programs can support the unique needs of AOM Customers, Great.

If not, are you prepared to “rethink” what you currently do so that we can collectively support successfully each AOM Customer?

Our Next Topic……….The Potential R.O.I. for AOM Customer Support Programs.

Legal Disclaimer: The information that Ann & I are providing is for educational, operational & programming purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Our intention is to provide customer-centric operational & programming support for AOM Customers.

Ann Gilbert: Club Owner/Operator, Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator & Author. Creating Health & Fitness Sector Programming Solutions for Active & Inactive Agers Since 1983. [email protected]

Bob Esquerre: Business Growth Strategist & Operations Analyst: Health & Fitness Sector Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator, Author. Creating?Health & Fitness Sector Business Solutions Since 1993. [email protected]