Injuries can be frustrating especially when kept out of your daily activities for long. Recovering from an injury takes a great deal of focus and management. If it is a leg injury, a treadmill will be a great way to recover faster. However, you can even boost your recovery with an underwater treadmill.
Yes, underwater treadmills may sound weird. Unlike the regular treadmills, the underwater ones combine the resistance of water, buoyancy and the physicality of running to achieve a faster recovery. Underwater treadmills can also be used for regular workout sessions, allowing you to work the body more and stay in shape.
For those looking for an underwater treadmill, I have selected and reviewed the top three best underwater treadmills for 2024.
Table of Contents
- What Are Underwater Treadmills?
- Quick Answer: The Best Underwater Treadmills
- Comparison Chart
- The 3 Best Underwater Treadmills Reviews
- Choosing the Best Underwater Treadmill
- Top 5 Underwater Treadmill Benefits to Know
- How Do Underwater Treadmills Work?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Swim Network Overview
What Are Underwater Treadmills?
Have you ever seen a treadmill? Well, it is not quite different from the regular ones you see out there. The underwater treadmill allows you to walk, run or jog o the same spot just like the regular treadmills but they are used underwater. In short, an underwater treadmill is a type of treadmill used underwater.
It is made from durable, water-resistant and anti-rust parts. The platform (belt) is designed to offer a good grip to the feet. However, you may wear your water shoes or water socks for more grip. They can also be placed on the floor of the pool at different depths. Underwater treadmills have the ability to reach eight miles per hour.
Quick Answer: The Best Underwater Treadmills
If you really want to maximize your time, increase your recovery rate or stay in shape, investing in an underwater treadmill will go a long way to achieving that. Of course, you may not know about underwater treadmills but they offer a bit of advantage over their land-based counterparts. For a quick browse on the market, below are some of the best underwater treadmills you should consider.
- Best Overall: AquaSizer Underwater Treadmill
“Anti-rust part, rugged design, requires no electricity, little maintenance.” - Best Value for the Money: Aquabilt A2000 Underwater Treadmill
“Wide platform, comes with a three-year warranty, easy to move, requires little maintenance.”
Comparison Chart
Trying to save time? You can see a quick glance at the basic features of each underwater treadmill on our list. Below is a comparison table to facilitate a quick preview of each product.
However, we recommend that you still read the detailed reviews of all the products for better accuracy in choice-making. Simply read the next section for more information about each product.
The 3 Best Underwater Treadmills Reviews
Although I have created a quick review section for you, it is expedient that you have in-depth knowledge of all the selected products. I have provided a well-detailed review of each product and also included their full features, pros, and cons in this section.
All the selected products were well-researched and deemed fit to be present as the best underwater treadmills to have in 2024. Your homework has been done for you and all you need to do is read and understand. In the end, you should know what is the best underwater treadmill for you.
AquaSizer Underwater Treadmill
(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)
Having the Aquasizer underwater treadmill be a great step if you are looking to keep yourself in shape or recover faster. One can start using after purchase as it requires no servicing or assembly. It is very easy to use and it offers much versatility with its removable handles. It is fairly lightweight at about 62 pounds and, interestingly, it is highly recommended by a number of medical professionals.
The device is 48.25 inches in length, 27.25 inches in breadth and 12.75 inches in height, offering enough space to its user. It sold only in blue color blending in the color of most pools. The parts are made from durable, anti-rust materials that can withstand several years of usage even when placed in water for long.
The conveyor belt (the platform) can accommodate different weights reaching up to 300 pounds. The treadmill comes with wheels for easy transferability. However, it doesn’t have motorized parts or power supply, therefore, little efforts are needed in maintaining the device.
Pros
- It is fairly lightweight and comes with wheels to ensure easy transportation.
- It doesn’t come with any motorized parts, hence, minimal maintenance is required.
- It comes with anti-rust parts, therefore, it can stay long in water.
- It requires no assembly or electricity.
- It is designed to be rugged and can withstand up to 300 pounds on its conveyor belt.
Cons
- It cannot be used in deeper water levels.
Aqua Creek Underwater Treadmill
(Best With High Capacity)
To wrap up the top three is the Aqua Creek underwater treadmill. Just like the previous products, this product is also a manual treadmill. It offers you much space to work your body with a dimension of 51 by 25 by 23 inches. Apart from the durability of this product, it also offers some style. To ensure easy transportation, it comes with wheels that are resistant to scratching.
The Aqua creek product is quite portable with a weight of 58 pounds. It offers much flexibility as it can be used by almost anybody. It comes with a handle that can be adjusted to any height depending on the user. It also has the ability to carry up to 330 pounds. The treadmill can also allow you to adjust the impact of water resistance.
All these impressive credentials are made possible with its sturdy, robust and stylish design. It is constructed with the 316L marine grade stainless steel and finished with brushed steel. Every part of the treadmill is anti-rust and can withstand years of usage without moving it out of the water. To cap it all, it comes with a two-year warranty on the metal parts and six months on all parts susceptible to wear.
Pros
- It comes with a two-year warranty on the metal parts and six months on all parts susceptible to wear.
- It comes with anti-scratch wheels, thus improving transportation.
- The treadmill comes with anti-corrosion parts.
- It allows you to adjust water resistance.
- It comes with an adjustable, stainless handle.
- It is wide and offers its user much space.
Cons
- It is not as wide as the other products.
Aquabilt A2000 Underwater Treadmill
(Best Value for the Money)
Underwater treadmills need to be strong, rugged and reliable to withstand your weight and frequency and intensity of training sessions. All these attributes can be found in the Aquabilt A2000 underwater treadmill. The device offers you a smooth training session that’s going to impact your body in a few period of time. Importantly, it offers great value for money.
It is fabricated from a combination of quality materials such as stainless steel, PVC, polyethylene and ABS. The entire treadmill is lightweight and this, plus the fact that it comes with rubber wheels, allows you to move the device with ease, inside the pool or to and fro the pool. The rubber can stay long in the pool, even for a year, without wearing and the entire treadmill can do without rusting.
The device has a dimension of 47 inches by 29 inches by 48 inches in the order of length, breadth, and height. It can bear at least 300 pounds without falling apart. It doesn’t come with a motor nor does it require electricity. It is easy to use, requires little maintenance and comes with a non-transferable three-year warranty.
Pros
- It comes with an easy-to-understand user manual and the device is easy to use.
- It requires minimum maintenance.
- The treadmill is made from durable and rust-resistant materials.
- It comes with wheels for easy transferability.
- The manufacturer offers a three-year warranty on the product.
Cons
- It requires assembly.
Choosing the Best Underwater Treadmill
Buying the best underwater treadmills can be tasking especially if you have little knowledge about it. The market is big and there are numerous products with various features, design, size and price tag. It can be more stressful if you are a first-timer.
Of course, your budget matters a lot. However, the price of most underwater treadmill starts from 1000 dollars. It’s worth investing in considering the number of benefits you stand to gain. To help you make the best purchase, I have researched the market and compile those important things you need to consider.
Size and Weight
Although treadmills have almost the same design, they differ a lot based on size. Some products may appear longer or wider than the other. Depending on your body size, you should pick a product that can accommodate your strides and will afford you much freedom of movement.
The weight of your treadmill matters a lot. Except if you will place it permanently in the pool, you should pick a product that will be easy to move about. Some products now come with wheels to help improve transportation. Also, the product should be able to bear your weight.
Assembly
Underwater treadmills can be bulky to transport. Therefore, some manufacturers may break them down into smaller components. Then, they include a manual to aid assembly. If you do now have the time to assemble the treadmill, you may look to pay for their assembly services.
However, pre-assembled underwater treadmills may prove difficult to transport and delivery costs may increase. They are also more prone to damage.
Flexibility and Comfort
Flexibility can be based on design or capacity. Some underwater treadmills can afford you more speed than some other ones. When it comes to the angle of incline, some products may allow you to increase the conveyor belt’s gradient.
The conveyor belt should offer a good grip on feet in case you want to work with your barefoot. The handles should be positioned well and within your reach, in case you need to lean.
Extra Features
There are other things to consider apart from the three above. You may want to consider the product warranty. They can range between two to seven years. A product with a warranty, as long as it is active, allows you to repair or replace your faulty treadmill at the manufacturer’s cost. Warranty may also cover the wearing parts.
You may also consider the color of the product. Some products come with removable handles which allows more flexibility. The handles of some products are telescopic, allowing users of different heights to work out with ease. Newer products also come with wheels for easy moving.
Top 5 Underwater Treadmill Benefits to Know
Underwater treadmills are great for daily workouts and injury management. They come with a number of benefits that make it a good device to have. The underwater treadmills allow you to simulate those activities you normally do on land such as running, walking, jogging, sprinting, etc.
The underwater treadmills place less risk of injury whilst offering you a solid workout session. The comfort and the soothing nature of the pool are of great benefit and there is less possibility of sweat and high body temperature. Below are the major benefits of using underwater treadmills.
Less Burden on the Body During Workouts
Water has more viscosity than air, hence, there is more resistance to body movement. This property of water helps people to work out with minimum pain in the muscle or joint. This is particularly good for those, including old people, suffering from osteoarthritis. When working out on an underwater, a less percentage of the bodyweight is burdened on the legs due to water’s hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy.
One can vary the water level to manage the effectiveness of each workout session. If the height of the water reaches the waist, the bodyweight will be reduced by 50 percent. When the water reaches the chest-height, the bodyweight will be reduced by 75 percent.
As your weight reduces underwater, there is less weight on the joints of the knee and feet. This allows you to move with greater flexibility.
Improved Muscular Strength
If you are interested in working out your core muscles or building endurance, the underwater treadmills are fantastic. You can take advantage of the water’s resistance to improve your muscular strength. Your feet, hips, entire legs and even the core muscle groups are effectively worked on. It allows you to place more effort on your muscles whilst still ensuring a smooth motion of the legs and muscles.
Improved Cardiovascular Stamina
Water’s viscosity (internal resistance) also plays a vital role here. The resistance ensures a solid workout which improves your cardiovascular stamina. They also allow more flexibility which can be beneficial to those who suffered long term injuries. The soothing nature of the body also helps to calm the nerves.
Manage Blood Pressure
When working out on an underwater treadmill, you exert more effort but in a stress-free manner. Many exercises can help you manage blood pressure but, with the underwater treadmills, you can do it more. It doesn’t cause much pain compared to the regular treadmills, yet still effective.
Weight Control
The underwater treadmills can help you manage your weight. As it reduces joint pain and stiffness, it can also help you to burn a lot of fat. You can employ them if you want to have a sharp control over your body mass index (BMI).
How Do Underwater Treadmills Work?
The underwater treadmills work just like the regular on-land treadmills. The device is fitted with a platform (a wide conveyor belt) that moves as the user runs on it. They are called the manual or user-powered mills.
However, some underwater treadmills are powered by electric motors, where the conveyor belt is automated and does not require the user’s input. The speed can be adjusted, and all the user needs to do is meet up and synchronize with the speed of the treadmill. The treadmill is placed in a pool (or rehab tub) and the water level of the pool is varied based on the user’s choice.
There is another type of underwater treadmill but it doesn’t need you to have a pool. They are referred to as the free-standing tube. They come with their own tub and can be used almost anywhere. The water-height can be varied or even heated for more efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did you miss an important point in the body of the article or you came here looking for answers? Here are some frequently asked questions to clear your thoughts.
Swim Network Overview
Underwater treadmills are fast gaining relevance and it’s largely due to the comfort it offers over the regular treadmill. It works out your legs, hips feet, and other core muscles and improves your cardio. It continues to a great choice for both young people looking to keep shape and adults suffering from osteoarthritis. Athletes looking to recover from injuries find them beneficial.
Underwater treadmills are manufactured by different brands, hence, available in various sizes, designs, and features. Trying to go through the market and sorting out the best underwater treadmills can be stressful, hence, I have researched, collated and reviewed the best three products for you. The AquaSizer Underwater Treadmill ranks as the best overall among the three products reviewed while the Aquabilt A2000 Underwater Treadmill offered more value for money.
Have you used any of these underwater treadmills? Feel free to share your experience in the comments section. You do not have to read this article alone. Simply share my post on Facebook or Twitter for your friends.
aman ur rahman
I am a senior citizen [80+] and have been recommended to consider an under-water, motorized trad mill. Can you please assist in few of the top models available in the market?
Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter
Best Regards
Aman ur Rahman
William
Hi Aman, there’re only a few top models of this product on Amazon for now, and I hope you could find the suitable one for you on my list. I will try to suggest products from other sources soon.
Have a great day!