Water Fitness

a group of YMCA members in a water fitness class posing together for a photo

Low Impact Exercise, High Impact Fun

The pool is great for exercise because the water offers resistance while reducing the impact of land-based exercises. Water fitness classes are a fun way to exercise, and the low-impact workout builds strength and flexibility for people of all ages. Our Ys water fitness classes use a variety of exercises and equipment. Activities may include dance, calisthenics, walking, and kicking, and typically intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Classes may take place in shallow water, deep water or a combination of shallow and deep water.

YMCA Water Fitness Offerings

Aqua Aerobics

This is a shallow water workout for all fitness levels. Enjoy a workout while dancing to fun music. This workout works on balance, coordination, and getting your heart rate up!
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 13–27, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Farmington Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Aqua Burn

This is a deep/Shallow water workout for all fitness levels. Enjoy a workout while suspended in the deep end of the pool wearing a flotation belt. The balanced workout includes strength exercises, toning, and flexibility. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Participants must be comfortable in deep water and must social distance at all times. The shallow end will be used as well.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 5–28, 2026 Tu Th 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Farmington Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Aqua Deep

This is a deep water workout for all fitness levels. Enjoy a workout while suspended in the deep end of the pool wearing a flotation belt. The balanced workout includes strength exercises, toning, and flexibility. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Participants must be comfortable in deep water and must social distance at all times.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 5–28, 2026 Tu Th 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM Farmington Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Aqua Easy Does IT

This is a workout done in the warm therapy pool. It is used to help people gain mobility, wake up muscles, and improve blood flow through the body. Easy slow movements great for arthritis and any other mobility issues.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 1–29, 2026 M – F 4:00 AM – 4:55 AM Farmington Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Aqua Intermediate

This is a workout done in the warm therapy pool. It is used to help people gain mobility, wake up muscles, and improve blood flow through the body. Easy slow movements great for arthritis and any other mobility issues.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 1–29, 2026 M W F 5:00 AM – 5:50 AM Farmington Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Deep Water Exercise

This is a complete water fitness class using a variety of exercises and equipment. Activities may include dance, calisthenics, walking, kicking and the use of specialized equipment. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Each class consists of warm-up, aerobic, muscle toning, flexibility segments and a cool down. Class may take place in shallow water, deep water, or a combination of the two.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 1–22, 2026 F 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register

May Water Exercise

Use this in the app to schedule for all of your May 2026 Water Exercise Classes
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 5:05 AM – 6:00 AM Macomb Family YMCA All Ages / 13+ years Register

Water Exercise

This is a complete water fitness class using a variety of exercises and equipment. Activities may include dance, calisthenics, walking, kicking and the use of specialized equipment. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Each class consists of warm-up, aerobic, muscle toning, flexibility segments and a cool down. Class may take place in shallow water, deep water, or a combination of the two.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Apr 30 – May 21, 2026 Th 3:40 PM – 4:40 PM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
Apr 30 – May 21, 2026 Th 5:05 AM – 5:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 1–22, 2026 F 6:05 AM – 6:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 1–22, 2026 F 5:05 AM – 5:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 1–29, 2026 F 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
May 2–23, 2026 S 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 5:05 AM – 5:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 6:05 AM – 6:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 11:00 AM – 11:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 6:05 AM – 6:55 AM Macomb Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 1–29, 2026 M 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 3–24, 2026 W 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 5–26, 2026 F 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 5–26, 2026 F 5:35 AM – 6:30 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Water Exercise – Boot Camp

Join us in the lap pool for some Jogging, Power Jacks & Rickshaw. Followed by Water Boxing, Workout Stations, challenging Core Water Suspension Exercises and more. Let the Y’s Water Resistance Pool activate multiple muscle groups at the same time! We will workout for 55 minutes and then you can choose to join us for another 20 minutes of stretching in the Y’s Warm Water Jet Pool.

This workout is designed for a moderate to intense workout and can be accommodated for everyone.


*Water shoes are recommended for this workout series.*

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 5–26, 2026 Tu 3:05 PM – 4:20 PM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 2–30, 2026 Tu 3:05 PM – 4:20 PM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Water Exercise – Deep Water

If Southgate Community Schools close due to weather conditions, all morning classes and programs will be canceled. This is a deep water workout for all fitness levels. Enjoy a workout while suspended in the deep end of the pool wearing a flotation belt. The balanced workout includes strength exercises, toning, and flexibility. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Participants must be comfortable in deep water.

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 4:00 AM – 4:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 6:00 AM – 6:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 6:00 AM – 6:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 8–29, 2026 F 4:00 AM – 4:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 8–29, 2026 F 6:00 AM – 6:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register

Water Exercise – Flipper Fusion

If Southgate Community Schools close due to weather conditions, all morning classes and programs will be canceled. This water exercise class is a blend of cardio, aerobic, and toning exercises. Participants will use aqua steps as well as some flotation devices to give added resistance. All participants will need to provide their own flippers for this course.

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 5–26, 2026 Tu 5:00 AM – 5:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 5–26, 2026 Tu 4:00 AM – 4:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register

Water Exercise – Gentle Exercise

Activate your urge for variety! Splash offers fun, shallow-water movement to improve agility and flexibility while addressing cardiovascular, strength and endurance conditioning. No swimming ability is required, and a SilverSneakers kickboard or other aquatic equipment is used to improve strength, balance and coordination.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 5–26, 2026 Tu 4:00 AM – 4:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
May 5–26, 2026 Tu 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
May 7–28, 2026 Th 4:00 AM – 4:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
May 7–28, 2026 Th 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 2–30, 2026 Tu 4:00 AM – 4:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 2–30, 2026 Tu 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 4–25, 2026 Th 4:00 AM – 4:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 4–25, 2026 Th 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Water Exercise – High Energy

If Southgate Community Schools close due to weather conditions, all morning classes and programs will be canceled. This water exercise class is a blend of cardio, aerobic, and toning exercises. Participants will use aqua steps as well as some flotation devices to give added resistance.

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register

Water Exercise – Level 2

If Southgate Community Schools close due to weather conditions, all morning classes and programs will be canceled. This is a complete water fitness class using a variety of exercises and equipment. Activities may include dance, calisthenics, walking, kicking and the use of specialized equipment. Intensity and impact can be varied on an individual basis. Each class consists of warm-up, aerobic, muscle toning, flexibility segments and a cool down. Class may take place in shallow water, deep water, or a combination of the two.

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 5:00 AM – 5:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 4–25, 2026 M 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 5:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 6–27, 2026 W 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register
May 8–29, 2026 F 5:00 AM – 5:45 AM Downriver Family YMCA Adult / 16+ years Register

Water Exercise – Water Jogging

This class combines all the elements of a great workout. Includes strength and tone exercises, shallow water cardio workout, calisthenics, a variety of traveling movements, and relaxing stretching. We will workout for 55 minutes and then you can choose to join us for another 20 minutes of stretching in the Y’s Warm Water Jet Pool.

This is a full body workout that can be modified to fit all levels.

*Water shoes are recommended for this workout series.*

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 7–28, 2026 Th 3:05 PM – 4:20 PM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register
Jun 4–25, 2026 Th 3:05 PM – 4:20 PM Carls Family YMCA Adult / 13+ years Register

Water Fitness

Shallow and Transitional Water Aerobics. Registration for participation is required. Please make sure you have an active email address on file in the event the class does need to be cancelled – that way we can reach out and inform you quickly! Participants are encouraged to bring their own fitness equipment, towel, and water bottle.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
May 4, 2026 M 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 5, 2026 Tu 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 6, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 7, 2026 Th 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 11, 2026 M 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 12, 2026 Tu 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 13, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 14, 2026 Th 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 18, 2026 M 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 19, 2026 Tu 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 20, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 21, 2026 Th 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 25, 2026 M 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 26, 2026 Tu 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 27, 2026 W 5:00 AM – 5:55 AM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register
May 28, 2026 Th 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 0+ weeks Register