Water Exercise

Build strength, stay active, and enjoy the activities you love for years to come.



Since 1989, Longfellow's Water Exercise program has helped adults of all ages and fitness levels improve their strength, endurance, balance, and overall well-being. Our programs meet you where you are today and continue to challenge you as your fitness improves.


With classes offered throughout the week at our Wellesley, Wayland, and Natick locations, you can find the class time and instructor that's the right fit for you.

What is Water Exercise?

Water exercise combines cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility into one fantastic workout. The resistance of the water matches the effort you put into each movement, allowing the workout to be modified to meet your needs on any given day. Water exercise also provides freedom of movement for those who are more limited on land. In addition, it's a perfect way to extend your athletic career, recover from an injury or surgery, and have fun with friends. We have exceptional instructors—most of our staff have been teaching at Longfellow for decades. You might just find that running in the pool makes you better, stronger, and faster on land while lifting your spirits for the day.


Benefits Include:

  • Full-body strength training
  • Cardiovascular conditioning
  • Improved flexibility
  • Better balance and agility
  • Increased mobility
  • Improved posture
  • Resistance through vertical positioning in the water, which helps support bone density
  • Cross-training for runners, tennis players, pickleball players, golfers, and other athletes
  • An adaptable workout for a wide range of abilities and fitness levels

Water Exercise at Wellesley

Our experienced instructors guide each class, offering classes that simultaneously include shallow and deep water options so participants can choose the style that best suits their comfort level and fitness goals. Classes incorporate a variety of aquatic equipment—or simply the natural resistance of the water—to keep workouts engaging, effective, and adaptable. Set to upbeat music and designed for all ability levels, every class encourages participants to move at their own pace while enjoying a supportive and welcoming environment.

Wellesley Water Exercise Class Descriptions

Track Workout / Fusion

A high-intensity combined water workout, modified for all levels of ability. The first 30 minutes include track intervals, utilizing the B.A.A. weekly workout. This class emphasizes the running stride for endurance and form. The final 30 minutes shift to a variety of exercises, including strength and resistance work.

Hydropower

A total-body workout combining cardio, strength, core, and flexibility training. Swim gloves, foam dumbbells, or noodles add variety and resistance for an energizing, full-body experience.

Cardio-Core Technique

A dynamic core-focused water workout designed to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. This class uses noodles and other equipment to support proper alignment, form, and added resistance.

Interval Training

A fun, fast-paced cardiovascular workout using timed intervals and active recovery between sets. This class blends a variety of movements to build endurance, strength, and overall fitness while keeping every session engaging and energizing.

Water Exercise at Wayland & Natick

Our Wayland and Natick locations feature Longfellow's signature Deep Water Exercise program. Using flotation belts for support, participants exercise in deep water while enjoying a challenging, full-body workout. Deep water exercise builds cardiovascular endurance, strength, core stability, balance, and overall conditioning without the impact of land-based exercise.



It is an excellent choice for runners, tennis players, pickleball players, golfers, and other athletes looking to cross-train and extend their athletic careers. Deep water exercise is also a great option for individuals returning to exercise, those with physical limitations, and anyone looking for an effective, adaptable workout.

Meet Our Water Exercise Directors

Kathy Miller, Water Exercise Director, Wayland

Kathy Miller has been teaching Water Exercise at Longfellow since 1997. She appreciates teaching participants of all ability levels to help improve overall physical well-being, enhance sports conditioning, and lessen chronic pain. Kathy is excited to use her artistic and creative expertise to bring new ideas, build community, and facilitate a program where participants grow stronger every day.

Jane Polley, Water Exercise Director, Natick and Wellesley

Jane Polley MS RD, LDN, has been teaching Water Exercise at Longfellow Health Clubs since 1991. Jane has been the program director since that time. She is currently the director in Natick & Wellesley. Jane helped to develop one of New England's strongest deep water exercise programs, with more than 30 classes each week across all of our clubs. She is a certified Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) instructor.  Jane has been a lifelong competitive swimmer, serving as co-captain of the UConn swim team during the 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons. She also enjoys endurance running, competing at an age-group national level.