Music pumping, people chatting, roaring laughter, and splashing. These are the sounds that define Wednesday nights at the Bosarge Aquatics Center at the Boothbay Region YMCA. Aqua Bootcamp, an aquatic resistance workout, takes place in the pool every Wednesday evening from 5:15 to 6 p.m. The class is designed to use the water’s natural resistance to build strength while staying low impact on joints. Offered as part of the YMCA’s Healthy Living program, it allows participants of all ages to engage in an intense and dynamic workout.

The Wednesday night group consistently attracts about 20 people during the winter season, ranging from a young father-son duo to Harbor Montessori teachers to retirees. That mix of ages and perspectives helps create a lively environment.

David Washburn, the YMCA aquatic director, leads the class with obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm. It may help that he gets to choose the music. Now an instructor of four years, David began his aqua fitness journey as a participant in this very class before working at the Y. Asked about his favorite thing about teaching, David said he likes that “the group is happy with a variety in workouts,” which gives him the “freedom to change exercises whenever I want.”

Two participants, Jane Williams and Kim Burnham, shared their thoughts on the class. Both have attended the program since its inception three years ago and are now quite the pros. Jane spoke of the “group of people and the instructor” as what motivates her to keep coming back. Another bonus, she said, is that the workout puts “not a lot of strain on the bones.”

Kim Burnham, who grew up at the Boothbay YMCA and worked at Camp Knickerbocker for 26 years, described the class’s “variety and intensity” as “perfect.” Kim has two bad knees that benefit from the low impact nature of working out in the water. Her favorite move is called the “Superman Suntan,” which involves floating on one’s back with two foam weights overhead, bringing the knees in, and then flipping over onto the stomach. It is one example of the many dynamic and fun exercises that take place during Aqua Bootcamp.

The YMCA’s fitness offerings extend beyond the pool as well. As part of the Y’s mission to promote healthy living, a variety of exercise programs are available Monday through Saturday. To make classes accessible to people of all ages and abilities, offerings range from Chair Yoga to HIIT Bootcamps. Aqua Bootcamp is one class that truly accommodates all.

Washburn encourages those who have not yet tried it to jump in, both for the workout and for the chance to build friendships and connect with the community. “This class becomes a group of friends who enjoy being together,” he says. Participants can use the Y’s pools and other facilities to get fit, have fun, and learn new skills. The Y’s Healthy Living fitness schedules can be found on the Y’s website here.