Prenatal Swimming Classes
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Pre-Natal Swimming Classes
Jan 2009
I am pregnant and need to find a prenatal aquatic exercise class. Maria
The downtown Berkeley Y has a great prenatal water exercise class. water lover
August 2006
I am looking for recommendations of / pointers to any kind of prenatal swim or water exercise classes in the East Bay. I contacted the Berkeley Y about their Prenatal Water Exercise class but was told by staff I would have to purchase a Full Service Membership to attend. Berkeley Y just isn't that close to me and I wouldn't make use of all the other benefits, so this doesn't seem like an economically sensible option. Last posting I found for this onsite was from 2003, and I'm hoping that in the meantime someone has found some other classes...TIA! Leah
I took a great water aerobics when I was pregnant last summer at the Mills College pool. The class wasn't a prenatal class, but the teacher modified things for me. It was on Sundays at 9 am and also one or two weekday evenings. I think it cost around $8/ class. Laura
The YMCA downtown Berkeley has great prenatal water classes on Monday 6pm and Friday at 6:10pm - you can just show up, it's great Kristen
April 2003
Apparently the Berkeley YMCA has stopped allowing non-members to take their pre-natal swimming classes and for me to join the Y just for that class seems pretty expensive. Does anyone know of any other pools that have pre-natal swimming classes? Anywhere in the East Bay would be fine. Thanks. Amy
I take the prenatal water aerobics at the Berkeley Y and although I am a member, I never have to prove Berkeley membership. (Although I switched my membership from Oakland to Berkeley when I was about 3 months pregnant because there are no prenatal classes in Oakland.) If you are already a member of another Y, I think you could just pay $3 to get into the Berkeley Y at the times there are classes. There are no signups for the water exercise classes--you just show up--although there are signups for the prenatal yoga classes. By the way, the classes are great! 3 times a week and really relaxing and enjoyable. The teachers are good (although with different styles). I always sleep well after my classes! So, if you don't find another place to do water exercise, I recommend the Berkeley Y. Apparently they also have a good childcare program for children 8 weeks and older. Good luck!
I would double check at the YMCA, re: pre-natal classes for non- members. You may need to pay a $40 ''community membership'' fee, which usually allows you to participate in a class but not the rest of the Y's facilities. This is how it worked for the baby swim class at the downtown Berkeley Y. Marian
City of Berkeley pools have lap swim open to everyone. Berkeley residents get first dibs (I think non-Berkeley can sign up a day after Berkeley) but they increased capacity on June 15th and now they are not filling up so you should be able to get a spot. Go to https://secure.rec1.com/CA/berkeley-ca/catalog - you have to make an account, but you don't have to live in Berkeley to make one. Some Oakland city pools are open as well, but I don't know the details.
Might be too far, but I took water aerobics a few months ago at the Albany Aquatic Center at the end of my pregnancy. The class was in the outdoor pool. They also have lap swim. In April / May it was a registration online thing, but they seem to be opening up more, so I'm not sure if early registration is still required.