The Benefits of a Pool Treadmill
Whether you’re walking, running or doing hydrotherapy, the underwater treadmill allows you to adjust your speed and workout intensity while remaining fully immersed in warm, soothing water.
Physical therapists have used this equipment for years, and many professional sports teams have installed them in their training facilities. Now it’s available for home use.
Benefits
Exercise in a pool treadmill strengthens and improves mobility, flexibility, balance and posture without causing additional stress to the joints. Physical therapists can encourage patients to participate in exercises on a water treadmill even if they are not yet ready to exercise on dry land. Gait training, for example, builds up proper biomechanics that carry over to on-land movements and help speed recovery.
With an Endless Pools hydraulically powered underwater treadmill, you can vary the pace of your walk or jog to achieve the same cardiovascular benefits as exercise on land, but with less impact. For a more challenging workout, simply turn on the swim current to increase resistance against core, leg and upper body muscle groups.
The turbulence of the water creates a unique resistance that fires up muscles in ways that land running cannot. In fact, many top distance runners, like elite coach Alberto Salazar’s althetes, use the aquatic treadmill to train between road workouts and recover faster from their pounding sessions.
When you run in a pool, your body weight is significantly reduced, reducing pressure on the hips, knees and ankles. This makes it a great exercise for those recovering from arthritic or over-stressed joints. The ebb and flow of the water also helps to loosen muscles with a natural massage effect that helps reduce stiffness and pain.
Installation
A treadmill built right into your pool provides a full-body cardio workout that’s easy on joints. It allows you to run against the water current while working pool treadmill the same muscles used in running on land, and you can control the speed of the treadmill and the water flow to customize your workout.
The buoyancy of the water also reduces the impact on your knees and hips, making the treadmill ideal for individuals with joint pain or mobility issues. In addition, the therapeutic ambiance of the warm water can help alleviate stress and anxiety, which can aid in pain relief and recovery.
An optional underwater treadmill on the Endless Pools Fitness System lets you walk or run while enjoying the benefits of exercise in your own home. Unlike other water-based treadmills, our hydraulically powered treadmill has variable speeds that adjust in safe 0.1 mph increments, and you can even connect it to your mobile device to monitor and track your performance.
Add an optional row bar kit to your pool for a total body workout that increases core strength and works arm and leg muscles while helping you burn calories. A swim tether and pace display monitor can also be added to maximize the effectiveness of your workout and help you meet your personal goals for cardiovascular and strength training.
Safety
A pool treadmill is a specialized exercise and rehabilitation device that allows individuals to walk or run while partially submerged in water. The buoyancy of the water reduces the impact on joints and provides a low-impact form of resistance training. The speed and depth of the water can be controlled to customize the level of resistance.
Most individuals can exercise on a pool treadmill, but it is important for therapists to work with them closely to ensure they understand the equipment’s safety features and how to use it. In addition, it is critical to have adequate space available for the pool and filtration system, as well as a water source and drainage availability when the tank needs to be partially or fully drained.
Many patients are fearful of the underwater treadmill, but they can usually be encouraged to exercise by exposing them to the equipment in small increments and rewarding them with treats or a frozen pool treadmill cup smeared with peanut butter. A specialized floating device is also available to increase stifle flexion or amplify resistance during walking, which can be helpful for some arthritic patients.
Ntaifitness underwater treadmills combine a swimming pool with a treadmill for a versatile workout environment that is safer and more comfortable than traditional land-based exercise. The pool treadmill’s movable pool floor can be lowered to decrease the amount of weight bearing and accommodate a wide range of patients. The floatation device can also be removed to allow for other underwater exercise or swim therapy options.
Maintenance
Each treadmill has its own maintenance requirements, depending on the specifics of its construction. The most important aspects are adequate space for the pool, filtration system and water storage tank as well as drainage availability when the system needs to be partially or fully drained.
A sanitizer must be used to control bacteria in the water as part of regular cleaning. Chlorine, bromine and ozone are popular choices, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It is recommended that the home or commercial pool owner use a water test kit to keep proper chemistry levels.
Elevation system lubrication must be addressed on an annual basis to prevent premature failure. Dust accumulation on electronics can generate heat that breaks down delicate electronics.
A periodic vacuuming or dusting under the treadmill is also recommended to avoid scuffing the belt and deck. Replacement of a belt and deck can be costly. It is recommended that a professional perform the work when possible.