Make a new year’s resolution to have fun while getting fit

With New Year’s resolutions in the planning stages, we’re sure that many of you are contemplating getting in shape. Again. What’s the strategy--joining a gym? Buying a treadmill for the house?

Why not do something fun that’s also a workout? The Aqualillies, a Los Angeles-based synchronized swimming and dance troupe, is starting up six-week sessions of classes from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12 at the Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach.

A prerequisite for the classes is having good swimming skills and being able to do the the crawl, backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke.

Classes consist of learning techniques such as ballet legs (a back layout position with one leg lifted up to 90 degrees), layouts, back tucks, torpedoes and other moves. Those moves and others will be combined into a routine. Esther Williams fantasies will be realized.

While we’re on the subject, make sure to check out the Health section’s Jan. 3 issue, all about getting in shape for the new year. We’ll tell you about other fun ways to get fit, such as ballroom dancing, trail running, Krav Maga, surfing and kayaking. Learn the benefits of workouts that allow you to gain new skills, new friends and a lot of confidence.