 |
| The author (not pictured) joined a swim class for older adults and made friends. Giselleflissak/Getty Images |
When I first signed up for a water aerobics class aimed at older adults, I felt awkward maybe even a little embarrassed. I was 39, and everyone else in the class looked to be at least two or three decades older than me. But life had changed in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and I was trying to adapt.
After becoming disabled from long COVID, I had to move back in with my parents. Suddenly, the way I moved through the world and through my day looked completely different. I was no longer able to maintain the kind of intense workouts I once relied on. Even something as simple as a walk could feel like climbing a hill on a bad day. Still, my doctors were clear: gentle, regular movement would be essential to maintaining my health and energy as best I could.
In the milder months, I could go for walks. But I live in Southern Illinois, where summers are sweltering and winters are bitter. That left big gaps in my ability to get outside and stay active. Eventually, I looked into joining the gym down the street, which has a pool. I’ve always loved being in the water it’s soothing, it supports my body, and it doesn’t feel like a chore. As I scanned the schedule of aquatic fitness classes, I noticed that most of the offerings were intense. The only ones that felt within my reach were labeled "older adult" or "gentle movement." I hesitated, but I signed up.
The Youngest Person in the Pool
Walking into the class that first day, I was easily the youngest person in the pool by decades. I’d been bracing myself for awkwardness, but what I got instead was warmth. Within minutes, nearly everyone in the class had introduced themselves. They asked why I was there, listened with compassion when I explained my long COVID journey, and made me feel immediately and unexpectedly like I belonged.
As class began, I quickly realized I’d joined the “social butterfly” group. These folks had been coming to this class together for years. They knew each other's birthdays, grandkids' names, and favorite desserts. Their bond was clear. But rather than being closed off to newcomers, they welcomed me in like an old friend.
And it turns out, despite the stereotype, not all older adults are early risers. While most classes for seniors happened in the morning, this one met at 5 p.m. a perfect fit for me, since insomnia means I’m rarely up early. The other attendees liked the late time too. It was a small but meaningful reminder that assumptions about age (and energy) don’t always hold true.
A Class That's More Than Just Exercise
During class, the energy was lighthearted. Some participants followed the instructor’s movements closely; others used the hour to chat, float, or laugh with friends. But even if the intensity varied, everyone was moving, socializing, and supporting each other, and that alone made the hour worthwhile.
Then came the best part: the beach ball. The final 15 minutes of every class are devoted to a free-for-all game of keep-away using a large beach ball. There was cheering, teasing, laughing, and just the right amount of friendly competition. I had an advantage, being younger I could dive, flip, and throw with more agility and they loved it. One man even shouted across the pool, “You’ve got a strong arm!” And just like that, I felt like one of the team.
Finding Friendship in an Unexpected Place
What surprised me most wasn’t how fun the class was it was how connected I felt. One day, a woman struck up a conversation with me mid-exercise. She had recently moved to the area and was also trying to find her footing in a new phase of life. As we chatted, we discovered we were both transplants from big cities, shared similar political views (not always easy to find in small-town Illinois), and had a love for new restaurants and local culture.
Knowing she was around my mom’s age and that my mom was also looking for new social connections I invited her to join us for dinner. That dinner turned into a movie night, which turned into attending local events, and eventually into a real friendship. These days, my mom and my new friend even hang out without me. And I love that.
As for me, I’ve been going to the same water aerobics class for the past three winters. I look forward to it not just for the movement, which helps my body, but for the community, humor, and companionship that lift my spirit.
What I’ve Learned From This Experience
I never expected that my midlife would include becoming disabled, moving back in with my parents, and joining a water aerobics class filled with retirees. But looking back now, I’m grateful. In this season of rebuilding, I’ve found unexpected joy and support. The people in that pool have shown me what resilience looks like across generations and reminded me that friendship, laughter, and play don’t belong to any one age group.
So if you're recovering from illness, navigating disability, or just redefining what movement looks like for you, don’t let labels hold you back. Community can come from unexpected places. And healing doesn’t always come from doing more it sometimes comes from doing just enough, surrounded by people who cheer you on.
