Shirley Peterson and Shelley Owens have been helping people get healthy in the water for over a decade. They plan to soon expand their mission to land.
The mother-daughter duo, who moved together from Wichita in 2019, are known in the area for their Shockwave Aqua Fitness classes offered through Shawnee County Parks and Recreation during the summer months.
Featuring underwater trampolines and drumsticks, Peterson and Owens make underwater fitness look more like a rock concert than an exercise class.
The two plan to bring that same energy to Shockwave Fitness. Shockwave Fitness is a new business offering bungee and trampoline classes at its West Ridge Mall location starting in March. Peterson said bungee and trampoline fitness are relatively new concepts, and Shockwave is one of the first businesses of its kind in the space.
Shockwave Fitness benefits a wide range of fitness levels
“It’s unique because it’s only been on the market in the U.S. for five or six years,” Peterson said. “It’s not very impactful, but it’s fun.”
She said people sometimes hear about low impact and think the class is only for a certain age group or fitness level. Bungee is low-impact, but the workouts are high-intensity, burning up to 600 calories in a 45-minute class.
Shockwave Fitness is aimed at a wide range of exercise enthusiasts, including those who are not particularly keen on exercise.
“I love working out, but I don’t like feeling hot,” Peterson said. “With a bungee, you don’t have to put all your body weight on it. You’re on top of the bungee, so you can do squats and burpees without feeling any pain.”
Owens, 73, first started taking aquafit classes in 2010 at the recommendation of her doctor to relieve pain from arthritis. She realized that she was enjoying the swimming class at the pool next to her more than her arthritis patient, so she joined another class.
The facility then asked Owens to become an instructor.
“The strength I gained in the water kept me going and helped my arthritis,” she said.
Despite undergoing hip repair surgery in September, Owens is already back to regular training and his impressive biceps have earned him the nickname Machine Gun Shelly. She wants people to know that fitness can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to have fun, regardless of age or size.
“There are modifications that can be done using the same motion but in different movements. We will walk you through the modification steps based on your needs,” Owens says.
The owner considered indoor swimming, but decided to focus on bungees and trampolines.
Mr. Peterson was looking for an opportunity to offer indoor aquatic fitness classes during the off-season. However, she soon realized that the startup costs of her indoor water fitness center were prohibitive.
“I just wanted to do bungee fitness,” Peterson said. “Some investors and friends said to me, ‘Maybe we should start with that.'”
Bungee fitness classes are offered in several formats, including dance, high-intensity interval training, mixed martial arts, and booty bungee. Customers hang from a bungee attached to the ceiling on one end and a harness on the other end. Participants must wear a harness before participating.
Bungees are based on weight ranges, and Peterson said most places only accept people weighing between 80 pounds and 240 pounds. Shockwave Fitness has harnesses for those looking to train up to 420 pounds. This is something Peterson said is important to him.
“No one starts their fitness journey with an ideal body type. I think a lot of fun things about fitness are tailored to a specific audience. I want to suit everyone’s level. ” she said. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fitness. ”
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Peterson, who is recovering from bulimia and has a medical condition that causes weight gain, said Shockwave Fitness instructors also come in all different weights and sizes.
“I believe you can find fitness instructors of all sizes so you don’t have to be afraid to start a fitness program. If you feel comfortable, you’re more likely to continue with the program rather than quit. It’s expensive,” she said.
Shockwave offers a variety of fitness classes
In addition to bungee, Shockwave Fitness also offers trampoline classes that combine cardio, plyometrics, strength training, and core training with kickboxing, dance, and HIIT. The trampoline mat can hold up to 500 pounds, so anyone can enjoy a workout, and each trampoline absorbs up to 80% of the impact on your joints.
In addition to reducing pain during exercise, benefits of bungee and trampoline training include improved heart health, lower cholesterol levels, increased bone density, and improved balance and coordination. This type of exercise also increases your metabolic rate, burning more calories than your average fitness class and helping you lose weight.
According to the business’s website, 10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline is the equivalent of 30 minutes of running.
Shockwave Fitness will open March 1st with a kickoff class at 7 p.m.While that class is in high demand and full, Peterson said he recently opened a second class on the evening of March 2, following an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Customers planning to visit us will be fitted with a bungee harness free of charge. There will also be an opportunity to try out the trampoline, watch a Zumba demonstration, and interact with the staff.
Regular classes begin March 4 and include morning, afternoon and evening options to fit any schedule, Peterson said. Glow classes, where customers can work out with synchronized lights and music, are held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Registration for March and April classes is now available on the Shockwave website.
Pricing options include single class passes for those looking to try something new, as well as punch cards suitable for shock walks, Zumba and summer swim classes. We also have bungee and trampoline packages available. There are discounts for purchasing multiple classes at the same time, and Peterson said Punch Passes can be shared among friends and family.
Shockwave’s owners wanted to be part of the renovated Westridge Mall.
Located on the lower level of West Ridge Mall, next to Liz’s, Shockwave is located in a 3,900 square foot space previously occupied by Justice. Peterson said he chose the mall for his business because he’s excited about the changes happening there.
“I’ve always been a fan of what Advisors Excel has done for the Topeka community, and I’ve always been a fan of brick-and-mortar malls, and I thought it was a great opportunity to be a part of the revitalization of malls,” she said. Ta. ”
Peterson encourages Topeka and area residents to support the mall’s long-time businesses and recent tenants and ask questions about what Shockwave Fitness can offer them.
“While many people tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, we actually carry the weight with our bodies,” she said. “We need to take care of our bodies and treat them with love and respect.”