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Fitness > Walking > Types of Walking > Walking Underwater
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Walking Underwater

Aquatic treadmills make walking underwater more beneficial than ever

By Rosanna Scott

Underwater treadmills aren’t just for rehabilitation centers; they can be purchased for home use as well. Once used to treat horses recovering from injuries, the underwater treadmill is now making a big splash with those in sports medicine, rehabilitation and fitness training for people with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, and acute conditions, such as sports injuries.

While water exercise has long been promoted as therapeutic, a unique combination of water exercise and traditional treadmill exercise takes water therapy to a new level. Because the treadmill is on the pool floor, your body is submerged anywhere from waist to shoulder level, depending on the pool depth and your height, making you anywhere from 50 to 90 percent weightless. With the weight off your joints, you are able to get a good cardiovascular workout without generating pain.

Kelly Eckhols, physical therapist and owner of Premier Rehab in North Richland, Texas, saw Bettye Steele, 73, of Hurst, Texas, one of her rheu­matoid arthritis patients, progress from using a wheelchair to using a walker in about a week, convincing Eckhols that it can be very useful for people with arthritis to walk underwater. 

Joseph Oricchio
29 Oct 2011, 11:20
There is more and more research showing the benefits of underwater treadmill use. Sometimes it can be difficult to gain access, find or afford purchasing them for your own. While these can expensive, there are human powered, light-weight units I've found build in the U.S. and quite easily moved into and out of a pool. (Catch here is you have to own or have access to a pool!) They come with data proving their concept and worth and supporting Rosanna Scott's article above. I think the best place to find them is www.AquacisePro.com and be sure to get the RESIDENTIAL unit (AQ-2000R), because it's about 500 bucks less and is just 45 pounds and it's fun to use!
I LOVE mine!
JO
CAROL DAVENPORT
25 Aug 2011, 12:58
I WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS ON THIS WEB SITE AND HAVE A PLACE TO go. I have musclair distrophy and have had great success ith water arobics and know a place in Texas where you coulld go and would love to share.
I so look forward to hearing from any one. Thanks Carol [Dallas]
Elizabeth K Mason
27 Feb 2011, 14:30
I had a broken scacrum and lumber spine area seven months ago and use water therapy every day. I am very intrested in this tread-mill.
How can I contact this company and how expensive is it? Can it be easily removed after my exercise is completed for the day?

Liz Mason
johnarthur
23 Feb 2011, 05:14
1show me on what principal it works
2.show me the picture with isomatric view
3.whether it can be installed in flates having 4 story bldg
4what is the cost
5.what is the guaratee period
if any thig gos wrong can it repared in India
Linda Parrish
20 Jan 2011, 14:20
I would like to know where I can purchase a under water Treadmill, because I am a patient with chronic arthitris and at times I have problems standing and sitting for long periods of time. I can be reached at this e-mail address if there are any information that I may need to know.
Kevin
07 Jan 2011, 18:49
H2OGYM-US has portable underwater treadmills that are affordable and made of stainless steel. The H2OGym Flip 'n Go underwater treadmill is used for therapy and rehabilitation in hospitals and even by The NFL team-the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Flip 'n Go rolls on wheels and has rails on three sides to help steady a person while they are walking or running. For more information, www.H2Ogym-US.com. They can be easily shipped UPS.
Karen L
08 Oct 2010, 15:13
Water running and/or jogging is a wonderful way to get cardio exercise without bearing any wait on the ground. The treadmills sound great to but many YMCA's etc. have water jogging classes.
simth wilson
28 Jul 2010, 04:49

Good day, I will like to make an inquiry based on the treadmills that you sell or stock. I want you to get back to me with the types you have as well as their respective prices.Moreso,the size does not matter and any size will be fine by me. Hoping to hear from you soon.
loretta weeks
22 Jul 2010, 10:49
I would like to know about the perfect water temp for water exercises. The pool I go to keeps the pool really cool. At what temp is it harmful for people with arthritis?
Lois Boswell
28 May 2010, 18:51
Hello:

Joan Kroc in San Diego is the nearest warm pool to me, but I can not affor the $89 scholarship rate to affod to us the pool.

I too, wondered if a doctor would prescribe using such a pool woul Medicare pay for it?

Thank you,

Lois Boswell
Josie Bramhall
11 Mar 2010, 09:34
Where can I try one out and get info on it.
Nicole
23 Feb 2010, 15:13
I have used a HydroWorx underwater treadmill and they are incredible. They make a line of pools for your home as well as commercial applications.
phyllis
30 Jan 2010, 18:20
can anyone purchase a water treadmill? are there portable ones? Where?
Dianne Rentschler
04 Aug 2009, 10:18
I have a serious allergy to chlorine (and many other chemicals) and cannot even be in a workout center with an indoor pool. I hear there are some salt water alternatives but so far have only found them in very expensive spa centers.
I live in a cold climate, have had basal cell carcinoma, so outdoor pools in summer are not an option. As you know, chlorine gets in your pores anyway and takes a long time to dissipate.
Any ideas or tips?
ruth cohen
23 Jun 2009, 09:24
Is treading water as good as water walking??

How about bouncing off my toes, is that equally good to replace water qlking??

Thank you
Nicky Kelly
30 Apr 2009, 06:55
Try Hydro Physio, their design and creation is fantastic, with changes available to water temperature, depth of water, speed of the treadmill, and also resistance jets.
They are based in Shropshire, but have distrutors across the world. Let me know if you would like a demonstration!
DIANNE Smith
16 Apr 2009, 20:32
I'D LIKE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PURCHASE A UNDERWATER TREADMILL, COST, AND INSURANCE COVERAGE, PLEASE.
c cotter
10 Mar 2009, 21:55
i need sugtns for one who is in a wheelchair please.
Felipe DeLaPlaza
04 Mar 2009, 09:16
Mi padre uso por solo un dia en un entrenamiento de dos horas una maquina de treadmill, el resultado fue sorprendente, casi salio caminando de la piscina, esto sucedio en el centro acuatico del YMCA. Cuando volvimos a ir la maquina habia sido removida. Quisiera saber de algun centro de rehabilitacion que dispongan de estas maquinas en la ciudad de Orlando, Florida. Gracias por la atencion que le puerda prestar a la presente.

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