One of the biggest challenges people face with exercise — especially in the pool — is confidence. It’s so common to wonder: “Am I doing this right?” and “Is this move actually helping me—or could it be making things worse for my knees or back?”
Here’s the good news: your body already knows the answer. You just need a simple way to listen.
The Red–Yellow–Green Check
Think of it like a traffic light. Any time you try a new move, or find yourself unsure about how your body is responding, run it through this quick check:
- Green → The movement feels smooth and controlled. Your joints feel comfortable. ✅ Keep going!
- Yellow → Your form starts to slip, your joints feel pressured, or it’s harder to control the move. ⚠️ That’s your signal to adjust — slow it down, make the move smaller, or try a variation.
- Red → Sharp pain, pinching, or nerve-like sensations. 🚫 That’s your stop sign. Time to change the exercise completely.
Simple Ways to Adjust
If you hit yellow or red, here are some easy tweaks that keep you moving safely:
- Slow down your tempo
- Make the range of motion smaller
- Switch equipment (like gloves instead of hand buoys)
- Add support (hold the wall or use a noodle)
- Change your stance (try a wider base or staggered feet)
- Pause, breathe, and reset before you continue
Why This Matters
Your body’s needs change from day to day. An exercise that feels great this week might feel off next week, and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means your body is giving you feedback.
Think about it:
- Walking upstairs feels easy one day, but harder when your knees are stiff. That’s yellow — you slow down or grab the railing.
- Lifting a heavy grocery bag causes a twinge in your shoulder. That’s red — you shift the weight or split it into two bags.
- Bending down to tie your shoes without discomfort. That’s green — you keep going with confidence.
These everyday examples are no different than what happens in the pool. The more you practice listening to your body, the more trust and confidence you’ll build in every workout and in daily life.
From Guessing to Knowing
You don’t need to spend hours searching online for the “best exercise for ____.” What works for someone else might not be what your body needs today.
That’s exactly why I created Wavemakers. Inside the membership, you’ll find guided workouts where I coach you through every move — not just what to do, but how it should feel in your body. And when you hit yellow or red, I give you easy options to adjust, so you’re never stuck wondering if you’re doing it “right.”
Every time you step into the pool, I’m right there with you — helping you test, measure, and adapt exercises to fit your body’s needs.
It’s a small shift that creates big wins: more strength, better balance, less pain, and more confidence in the way you move.
Final Thought
Movement isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about finding what works for you.
When you move in your feel-good range, you’ll build strength, improve balance, and feel relief, without the second-guessing. That’s how you stay active, confident, and free to keep doing the things you love.
👉 Want to try it out for yourself? Discover Wavemakers and step into the pool with workouts designed to help you move in your feel-good range.