Two women by the pool in La Nageuse one-piece swimsuits, blue with pink trim and red

Aquagym and Aquabike Swimsuit: One That Follows Every Move

By The ikonō team · 8 min read

In the water, the body lightens and movements come freely. Aquagym and aquabike are among the gentlest ways to move, at any age and at every stage of life. You just need a swimsuit that goes with the movement rather than against it.

In short

A good aquagym swimsuit is one you forget about during the session. It holds your bust without underwire, stays in place when you raise your arms and doesn’t ride up during exercises. For aquabike, it also needs to stay opaque when wet and not rub on the bike. And in both cases, resist chlorine.

To discover cuts designed to move with you, see our selection of swimsuits for swimming, aquagym and aquabike.

Water, a world apart

Woman laughing and splashing water in the pool, wearing the red La Nageuse one-piece swimsuit — The joy of moving in the water.

A woman’s body changes throughout her life: a pregnancy, the passing years, sometimes surgery or a mastectomy. Water welcomes all of these moments. That is one of the great benefits of aquagym: it carries the body and relieves the joints, while the muscles work against gentle resistance.

Some exercises, such as back movements or floating, also work on posture and muscle strength. Everyone moves at her own pace.

Did you know?

Immersed up to the neck, the body weighs only about a tenth of its weight. That’s what makes aquagym so gentle on the knees, hips and back.

Aquagym or aquabike: two ways to test a swimsuit

Both take place in the same pool, but they don’t ask the same of your swimsuit.

In aquagym

You jump, raise your arms, turn around. The swimsuit has to hold your bust and stay in place at the shoulders.

In aquabike

You pedal seated, often for a long time. Rubbing on the saddle puts strain on the fabric, and a high-cut bottom ends up slipping.

In both cases, the ideal pool swimsuit is often a one-piece: it holds better, covers more and doesn’t move when you switch exercises.

Two women doing a partner exercise in the pool, in red and blue La Nageuse one-piece swimsuits — In aquagym, the swimsuit follows every move.

Which swimsuit for aquagym? What the jumps ask of it

For aquagym, the right swimsuit holds the bust from below, stays close to the body when you lean forward, has a covering leg cut and stays opaque when wet.

A session usually lasts forty-five minutes, in water up to the waist or chest. It strings together jumps, knee lifts, arm movements above the head and running in the water. With every move, the water slows the body and pulls on the fabric; with every jump, the bust rises and falls.

The bust held from below. An elastic band under the bust holds it during jumps. If everything rests on the straps, they end up digging into the shoulders.
Everything stays in place, tummy included. A shaping effect supports the tummy during jumps and twists. Arms raised, the straps don’t slip and the swimsuit doesn’t ride up.
Close to the body when you lean forward. Leaning forward or holding the edge of the pool, your bust stays covered: that is the job of the stretch fabric, which follows the body, and of well-adjusted straps, which keep the neckline from gaping.
A controlled leg cut. Too high, it rides up with every knee lift and uncovers the hips; too low, it squeezes the top of the thighs. A classic, covering cut moves with you without leaving marks.
Opaque, even when wet. A swimsuit that turns see-through in the water is guaranteed embarrassment. A dense, lined, chlorine-resistant fabric avoids that unpleasant surprise.

Two women doing a side stretch with one arm raised, in blue and red La Nageuse one-piece swimsuits that stay in place — Arms raised, upper body turned: nothing moves.

Woman leaning forward in the locker room, the adjustable straps of the blue La Nageuse one-piece swimsuit holding in place — Leaning forward: everything stays in place.

Our fitting-room tip: raise your arms, lean forward, twist your upper body. If the swimsuit stays in place, it’s the one.

Aquabike: what the bike asks of your swimsuit

Thirty to forty-five minutes of pedalling in chlorinated water: it’s one of the most demanding tests for a swimsuit. The fabric must stay opaque when wet and regain its shape, the bottom must cover well so it doesn’t ride up, and the back must stay in place as you lean over the handlebars. A second-skin lining limits friction while you pedal.

Prefer two pieces? Our La Nageuse tankini with high-waisted bottom covers the tummy and stays put on the bike. And if you like the top of your thighs covered, La Versatile bikini with shorty pairs a top that holds the bust without underwire with swim shorts that protect the thighs from rubbing on the saddle.

Francesca, aquabike instructor, and Claire, ikonō co-founder, at the pool in La Nageuse one-piece swimsuits in aubergine and blue

“Today I teach aquabike, aquajump and swimming. My greatest pleasure is seeing women gain confidence, move freely and feel good in their ikonō swimsuit.”

Francesca, aquabike and aquajump instructor

Francesca tests our swimsuits in her classes. Here with Claire, ikonō co-founder. Francesca wears La Nageuse Aubergine, Claire La Nageuse Blue.

What we learned designing La Nageuse

La Nageuse was born from these demands.

Smiling woman in the blue La Nageuse one-piece swimsuit, hand on her waist, showing the band under the bust

01

Holding the bust, without underwire.An elastic band under the bust keeps everything in place during jumps. Thermoformed cups support and balance the bust, with or without a prosthesis. After a mastectomy, this support keeps the prosthesis in place while respecting healed areas, without squeezing or leaving marks.

02

Holding everything else.The shaping effect supports the body as you move. Wide straps spread the weight and stay on the shoulder when your arms go up.

03

Protecting the skin.The second-skin lining limits friction and protects your skin, session after session. The armholes cover a little more of the side of the bust, under the arm: less rubbing when your arms are working, and scars under the arm stay covered.

04

Lasting.A fabric made with recycled Q-NOVA® fibres (GRS and OEKO-TEX® certified) that stays opaque when wet and regains its shape session after session, and a lining certified GRS and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Made in Spain, with UPF 50+ sun protection.

05

Going with you.Invisible pockets hold one, two or no prosthesis: the same swimsuit follows you, whatever your journey.

“I’ve finally found the swimsuit that gives me perfect support and unmatched comfort, that follows me in every movement, at the pool as on the beach […].”

Sylvie, ikonō customer

Which ikonō swimsuit for the way you move

La Nageuse is our pool swimsuit, but other styles among our one-piece swimsuits and two-piece swimsuits are made for aquagym too.

Allure

For more coverage on the bust. A controlled neckline and a removable belt that defines the waist or comes off, as you like.

Fierce

For asymmetry without giving up support. A slim strap on the asymmetric side reinforces the hold.

The tankini

For the freedom of two pieces. A long top that covers the tummy, with a classic or high-waisted bottom that stays put on the bike.

Caring for your swimsuit

Woman rinsing off under the shower after the pool, back of the blue La Nageuse one-piece swimsuit

A rinse in clean water after each session and drying flat, out of the sun: these two habits help it keep its shape and colours for a long time. For the rest, follow the care label.

Your questions

One-piece or two-piece for aquagym?

A one-piece holds better during jumps and covers more. A tankini works if you like the freedom of two pieces.

One-piece or shorty for aquagym?

Both work. The one-piece holds best during jumps. A shorty, worn with a top that holds the bust, covers the top of the thighs and stays in place during knee lifts and on the aquabike: a good choice if you like more coverage on the legs. Ours is La Versatile bikini with shorty.

Which swimsuit for aquabike?

A fabric that stays opaque when wet and doesn’t rub on the bike, a full-coverage bottom that doesn’t ride up and a soft lining that protects the skin.

How do I stop my swimsuit riding up during exercises?

Take your usual size, a classic bottom rather than a very high-cut one, and straps adjusted so the back doesn’t gape. Then do the fitting-room test: arms raised, leaning forward, a twist. If nothing moves, it will hold in the water.

What should I wear for aquagym or aquabike?

A one-piece that holds your bust and doesn’t ride up, a swim cap if the pool requires one and non-slip pool shoes, which also help on the aquabike pedals. Bring a bottle of water: you sweat in the water too, even if you don’t feel it.

Do you need to know how to swim to do aquagym?

No. Most classes take place where you can stand, with the water up to your waist or chest. If you don’t feel at ease, tell your instructor: you can stay at the shallow end.

What size should I choose for an aquagym swimsuit?

Your usual size: too loose, the swimsuit moves during jumps; too tight, it digs in when you pedal. If you’re between two sizes, take the larger one; our size guide will help, and exchange is free within 15 days.

Can you do aquagym after a mastectomy?

Many women find real well-being in it. Ask your care team for their approval first, then choose a swimsuit with pockets that holds your prosthesis in place. Read our guide to mastectomy swimwear.

Moving in the water should be a pleasure, never a question of support, rubbing or a swimsuit to readjust.

That freedom of movement is what guides the way we design ikonō swimsuits.

Discover our pool swimsuits