AquaBility training and certification promotes best practices when teaching people with mild to moderate health conditions that might make movement difficult or painful.  Through online education, interactive classroom activities and practical pool work, course participants will:

• Establish the AquaBility certification process and commit to the instructor Code of Conduct.
• Define suitable participants for AquaBility classes.
• Review AquaBility 10 Steps to Leadership Excellence; set personal learning objectives.
• List benefits of aquatic exercise for most populations.
• Define aquatic exercise considerations and adaptations for 9 specific health conditions.
• List movement modifications for AquaBility classes related to aquatic properties, including: buoyancy options and use of floatation devices; intensity options; use of resistance equipment; teaching tips for offering movement modifications; functional exercises to improve strength and independence for activities of daily living (ADL); balance training and adaptations; gait training exercises; recommended lower and upper extremity movements; tips for teaching participants with the instructor in the pool rather than on deck.
• Practice movement modifications using case studies.
• List exercise progressions for balance and core training exercises, from least to most difficult.
• Outline AquaBility class and program design including: adapted components of fitness; warm water versus recreational pool temperatures; scheduling recommendations; consideration of pool characteristics; class template. 
• Summarize aquatic exercise goals and guidelines for pain-affected participants.
• Engage in AquaBility class planning and practice teaching, emphasizing exercise objectives for this population, which include:  detailed posture education; pain management, relaxation and breathing strategies; exercise adaptations for common movement limitations; gait training, balance and fall prevention strategies; strategies to maintain range of motion and function.

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Who Should Attend an AquaBility Course?
If you teach aqua fitness classes for people with health issues, this course was designed for you.  AquaBility training and certification courses are intended for certified aqua fitness leaders (or acceptable equivalent), who have a year or more of teaching experience.  This certification course prepares leaders to teach adapted classes for people who have pain or difficulty moving.  AquaBility classes can be taught in warm water or recreational pools.

AquaBility Training & Certification

1. Complete the AquaBility online course - "Basic Training"
2. Attend onsite or virtual practical skills training (≥6 hours)
3. Achieve Level 1 AquaBility Certification
4. Teach AquaBility classes (≥50 hours / 1 year) • participate in onsite or virtual skills training • submit a ≥30 minute class for assessment

What to Bring to Your AquaBility Course

Complete the AquaBility online Basic Training Course. Review course content again before onsite or virtual practical skills training.

• Bring your questions and your enthusiasm for learning, as well as an open mind!
• You will spend very little time in the classroom on a practical skills course. Classroom time will be used to answer questions from the online course, and link pool activities to course content.
• The majority of your onsite course time will be spent at the pool, practicing teaching skills as well as participating in AquaBility classes.
• For onsite skills training, pre-course information sent by your AquaBility Trainer will clarify specific site details, pool hours, and what to bring with you on the day.
• For virtual skills training, you will interact with your AquaBility Trainer about your background, where you can practice skills, and your learning goals. You will be given assignments for the pool and asked to submit short videos of yourself teaching.
  
• In some cases, practical skills training will be a mixture of virtual and onsite activities.