The underwater treadmill has made its rounds on the internet as any new fad does, drawing gasps at either the slight absurdity of the idea or at the price the said idea is tagged at. What makes Hydroworx 300 a sly thing though is that it isn’t a new idea, not by a long shot. It’s something we know well (a treadmill), packaged into a sleek contraption that works in a new medium (water).
Conducting therapy in water has its advantages. The buoyancy of water takes the pressure of body weight away from the joints, lending greater control over movement and lessening the pain. When chest-deep in water, the body can feel 80% lighter; the joints are relaxed, strength and flexibility are boosted. Not to mention, aquatic therapy works for all ages—from young athletes with their training schedules to Mr. Mathrubootham in the top right corner of this page, with his joint pains. The underwater treadmill can be easily adapted to those using it. For athletes, it mimics a land-based environment while reducing the stress of body weight. For older adults with chronic body pain, relief can be found in water and the body can be slowly healed.
Unfortunately, however, I find myself in neither the athletic category (in fact, I find myself very far from that category) nor am I an ‘older adult’, at least not by physical age. Therefore, with no Hydroworx 300 at my disposal, I suppose I must resign myself to watching from a pool chair or—and this is more likely—on a screen from the comfort of my couch.
—Stainless steel frame for durability and safety
—Endless rubberised treadmill belt for traction; can be used with bare feet or shoes
—Depth-adjustable treadmill floors
—Resistance therapy jets and massage hose for deep-tissue massage
—Can accelerate from 0.1 up to 8.5 miles per hour in order to simulate land-based environments
