Benefits of an Indoor Pool Treadmill
A pool treadmill is like a traditional on-land treadmill but is used underwater. They are becoming increasingly popular at fitness centers, physical therapy clinics and senior-living communities.
Hold onto a pool wall and tuck your knees into your chest. Push off the wall and float on your back as far as you can. Jump a few times and then repeat. Add ankle weights to make this exercise more challenging.
Low-Impact Running and Walking Options
Incorporating an underwater treadmill into your workout routine will give you a variety of options when it comes to weight loss and toning the lower body. With the ability to speed up from a gentle walk to a running pace, you will be able to burn calories more effectively than on a regular treadmill. In fact, a recent study conducted by TAMU showed that athletes who alternate between aquatic exercise and land-based strength training saw better improvements in lean muscle mass than those who only used traditional equipment.
The buoyancy of water also helps to reduce the amount of stress placed on joints during an exercise session. Waist-height water reduces the weight of your body by about 50 percent, and chest-height water cuts that number down to around 75 percent. This makes an aquatic treadmill ideal for anyone who has suffered from an injury or surgery that requires a period of time where they must refrain from weight-bearing exercise.
In addition to being a great tool for runners and those looking to improve their endurance, a pool treadmill can be used by individuals of any age or fitness level. A retired professional athlete may use it to train for a big game, while a physical therapist may instruct a patient on how to perform pylometric exercises in their home. The possibilities are endless!
Increased Flexibility and Joint Reliever
When compared to land-based treadmills, indoor pool treadmill aquatic exercise allows the body to experience less of the impact, strain and shock on joints. This allows users to workout longer, more vigorously and strengthen muscles at a higher level.
Even elite runners and triathletes can enjoy the benefits of an underwater treadmill. Lance Walker, Global Director of Performance at Michael Johnson Performance, says that his athletes regularly use the HydroWorx pool to boost their weekly mileage without the added stress and injury of running on pavement.
Water’s natural buoyancy supports the body to encourage free movement that can help increase range of motion and flexibility. When coupled with a swim current that increases resistance to work against, this allows you to burn more calories, build muscle strength and tone your entire body without the pounding of land-based exercises.
The Ntaifitness Superfit-8032 underwater treadmill is designed to sit on the bottom of any pool floor and can be easily moved by a handrail. This allows fitness centers, recreation clubs, wellness spas and private pools to add aquatic walking and running options for their clients. The lightweight design of the treadmill also makes it easy to transport and assemble in a matter of minutes. It also has rollers that won’t mark up the floor or tiled surface when it is being rolled out of or into a swimming pool.
Increased Cardiovascular Fitness
Swimming is an awesome cardio workout that burns a ton of calories and has no impact on your joints. Add a pool treadmill to your indoor pool, and you have a great way to work up a sweat with even more benefits.
Walking and running on an underwater treadmill provides a great cardio workout that also offers a high-intensity core and leg exercise. This is because the water’s resistance is exponentially higher the faster you move.
This is why many elite athletes including professional runners are using underwater treadmills in their training regimens. The added calorie-burning power of the water helps top athletes reach peak performance without strain on their joints.
Gait and strength training on an underwater treadmill is a great tool for people who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). A Utah State University study found that aquatic treadmills help build up a patient’s physical mobility and reduce their pain.
An Ntaifitness underwater treadmill is the perfect addition to any gym, fitness center, wellness-spa or private pool. Its patented design allows for easy maintenance and the addition of other swim and exercise features such as jets and a massage hose. For more information on how to incorporate a swimming pool treadmill into your facility, contact Ntaifitness today. Our team of experts is ready to help you find the perfect underwater treadmill for your needs.
Reduced Joint Stress
The buoyancy offered by an underwater treadmill decreases the amount of weight placed on your joints. The force from the ground traveling up through the leg to your knee (called the “ground reaction force”) is greatly reduced, which is beneficial for those with painful joints.
Walking and running on a therapeutic pool treadmill also helps to tone muscles, increase balance and endurance. In fact, indoor pool treadmill many elite runners and triathletes use the aquatic treadmill for workouts that allow them to load up on mileage without the joint stress of pavement.
For individuals recovering from hip and leg injuries, or those who can’t perform traditional weight-bearing exercises due to pain, a water treadmill allows them to gain strength, reduce body fat and improve balance. In addition, the warmth and resistance of the water combined with an aquatic treadmill exercise can help to promote faster healing.
In a study of patients with osteoarthritis, a water treadmill walking program improved gait and movement patterns in the knees, and hips and shoulders showed improvements in range of motion and strength. Patients also experienced less joint stiffness and pain, and reported an enhanced quality of life. These improvements were attributed to the treadmill’s ability to stimulate chondrocyte growth and improve the environment of articular cartilage, resulting in a more balanced oxi-reductive milieu within the articular surface of the knee.
