SPLASH up your workout!

By Alison Cardoza Photos By Matt Johnson 

Engaging in pool workouts offers numerous health benefits. Baptist Health Milestone provides a range of pool classes catering to all levels. Our warm therapy pool alleviates sore muscles, the 5-lane lap pool enables swimmers to achieve an excellent cardiovascular workout, and the hot tub serves as a relaxing retreat after a strenuous day.

Trotter, our personal trainer at Baptist Milestone, has enjoyed training his client, Michelle Whelan for the past few months. Michelle, who is 62 years old and a former ER nurse, knows a thing or two about dedication and hard work. She enjoys water therapy exercises with Trotter on a weekly basis. These pool exercises enable Michelle to work on her coordination and endurance, and the buoyancy and resistance of the water make these exercises gentle on her joints.

Michelle was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1992 and has been wheelchair bound for the past 6 years. She wants to continue to stay in shape and absolutely loves her stretching exercises that Trotter has designed for her. The pool is a major part of keeping her joints and muscles pain free, while still working up a sweat and getting a great cardiovascular workout. Pool exercise can enhance balance and coordination and is extremely beneficial for clients with back pain and arthritis. While working on hand eye coordination, grip strength, and functional training, Trotter and Michelle share lots of laughs in the pool, but definitely get the job done! “It hurts so good,” says Michelle. “Michelle motivates and inspires me. She may be wheelchair bound, but she stays committed to staying active and takes advantage of the strength she has in her upper body and enjoys every moment during her workouts. She is driven,” says Trotter. 

Trotter enjoys giving his clients a full stretch along with their workouts to release lactic acid and prevent sore muscles from occurring the next day. Stretching can be performed in water or on land. Stress is released and injuries can be prevented when stretching is performed properly. 

There are many types of stretching techniques. Trotter performs Static stretching and PNF stretching on Michelle on an exercise mat. Static stretching is when you hold a stretch for a period of time. PNF stretching is when you combine static stretching with isometric contractions, which involve contracting a muscle without moving it. It is known for its effectiveness in increasing flexibility and range of motion.

We invite you to join us at Milestone for a pool class, get a full stretch by a certified personal trainer, or relax peacefully on your own at the end of your workday in our hot tub. 

Alison Cardoza, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Fit our Group Exercise Instructor. B.S. Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with a minor in Health Promotions from University of Louisville. Former UofL Ladybird and NFL Colts Cheerleader.