Steph Toogood is proprietor of Hydro-Actif, specialising in water exercise education world-wide. Steph highly recognised as an international educator and presenter of water fitness.  She was a member of the Water Fitness Committee and a three-star IDEA presenter.  Steph is Education  Consultant to Speedo International heading Team Speedo in the UK.  She was a Fab After 50 Health Achiever in 1998 and a nominee for Fitness Professionals Fitness Leader of the Year Award 1998.

The brightly coloured noodle is readily available at most pools and recognised as fun for all ages.  However, this challenging piece of equipment can be used by personal trainers or group exercise instructors to design functional exercise for all fitness levels to enjoy.  Here are a few suggestions for maximising the potential of the noodle.

1. Teach Basic Holds & Grips

Students should learn a variety of loose, comfortable grips.  Vary the position to include narrow and wide grip, single hand and both hands with noodle both anterior and posterior.  Hands may be prone or supine and a single grip can be useful to release the other hand.  The noodle can be placed under the arms anterior and posterior to allow wrist and finger exercises – essential to the class, especially with a more senior population.

2. Focus on Posture and Form

The noodle is extremely buoyant and in some positions will seriously destabilise the individual.  Teach good pelvic and scapular stabilisation awareness and ensure the noodle position is appropriate for the chosen exercise.  Include postural cues, especially during exercise changes.

3. Use the Properties of Water Appropriately

The large surface area and buoyant properties of the noodle will maximise the effect of water principles.  Action and Reaction, Inertia and Resistance can produce challenging exercises and movement.  To maximise safety for individual students start with moderate cadence and short levers.

4.  Offer Progressions and Modifications

To enable individuals to work optimally, exercise should commence with short lever moves with an option to progress to longer levers, adding travel and power where appropriate.  Care should be taken to plan movement to use all planes of motion to minimise muscle fatigue.  Noodle holds and positions should be varied to regularly release grip.

5.  Share Information Regarding Exercise Goals

The noodle can combine fun with function.  During demonstrations encourage students to listen to their body and to focus on each individual segments goal.  Teach students to add a power phase to optimise muscular endurance work for specific muscle groups.  Explain the fitness benefits to be gained by utilising the fun noodle to create work with enjoyment.

By

Steph Toogood