Workout On Water

From Pilates to Barre, water aerobics and even strength training, most local gyms offer a similar array of classes — but not Manhattan’s Tmpl Gym where workouts are taken to another level.

Tmpl Gym takes classic strength training workouts and adds a bit of water, transforming fitness. For certain exercises classes if you don’t maintain your balance you’ll get wet — and no we aren’t talking about sweat. These classes require you to get into the water, but the trick is staying above the water on an aquabase, or a floating exercise mat.

An unstable surface is created by combining exercise classes and water, which adds a new dimension. You’re forced to stabilize your core in order to keep yourself upright. The class emphasizes strength training and high-intensity intervals. Once you grasp a sense of balance with low-intensity moves, the class starts speeding up.

Trainees begin with modified burpees which progress to regular burpees — an exercise much harder in water than on land, along with mountain climbers and jump squats.

Having strength and maintaining a chiseled physique does not necessarily mean you’ll stay afloat, sometimes the larger the muscles, the more you fall. Adding an element of water to any regular exercise turns it into a more intense, exciting and difficult workout.