Erin Rosillo Inspires Strength and Wellness in the Water

Water aerobics has been making waves since fitness icon Jack LaLanne introduced it in the 1950s. Thanks to Greater Palm Springs' year-round sunshine and abundance of pools, the region has become a prime destination for swimming and water-based workouts. With its low-impact benefits and refreshing appeal, it's no wonder so many people take their fitness to the water.

 

At the PGA WEST^® Sports Club, Certified Personal Aquatic Trainer Erin Rosillo leads Aqua Fitness classes, helping Members improve strength, mobility, and overall wellness in the water. In addition to her aquatic training certification, Erin is also a certified personal trainer, youth fitness trainer, and TRX Longevity Trainer/Instructor. Her passion for water wellness began in childhood.

 

 

"My mom and uncle were both swimmers, and their grandfather even built a pool on his ranch by digging a massive hole and lining it with boulders," Erin recalls. "I remember swimming in it as a child, and my uncle eventually became my high school swim coach. I've always loved the water, and I truly enjoy seeing people of all ages benefit from a water-based wellness routine."

 

Erin's deep understanding of functional fitness and rehabilitation also comes from personal experience. When her daughter, Emma, was just six months old, she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, underwent surgery, and spent three months in a cast. Years later, in 2019, her son, Ethan, tore his ACL playing soccer, requiring reconstructive surgery using part of his hamstring. Now both in college and fully recovered, Emma and Ethan's experiences reinforced Erin's appreciation for functional movement, corrective training, and body rehabilitation throughout life.

 

Fitness, Recovery, and Community in the Water

 

Erin teaches three Aqua Fitness classes each week at the Sports Club, offering a challenging yet adaptable 50-minute workout suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

 

"Many of my participants are at a point in life where they're dealing with injuries, arthritis, or balance challenges," Erin says. "Water workouts allow them to move with less strain while still building strength and mobility."

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin adapted her approach to water fitness, teaching classes without equipment and incorporating interval training, varied movement patterns, and even the steps and walls of the pool to ensure a full-body workout.

 

"Teaching during that time forced me to get really creative," she explains. "We didn't have any equipment, but by adjusting movements and utilizing different parts of the pool, we were still able to get a great workout."

 

Now, with the return of equipment, Erin's classes focus on strength, range of motion, flexibility, decompression, and balance. She also incorporates water walking and works with individuals recovering from knee and hip replacements.

 

Beyond the physical benefits, water fitness fosters a sense of connection.

 

"Not everyone can attend a yoga, Pilates, or spin class, but almost anyone can participate in a water class," Erin says. "The aquatic community is incredibly welcoming. If someone floats into your space, we just reset, laugh, and keep moving."

 

Her participants appreciate the variety and creativity she brings to each class—and Erin finds fulfillment in watching them regain mobility, stability, and confidence.

 

Expanding Wellness at PGA WEST^® Sports Club

 

Water-based workouts have gained mainstream recognition over the past decade, now widely embraced as a stand-alone fitness option or as part of a cross-training routine for other sports.

 

In addition to Aqua Fitness, Erin also teaches Mobility and Stability, Functional Strength, Prescriptive Stretch, and Balance and Core Stability at the PGA WEST® Sports Club, continuing to help Members move, feel, and live better.