Lifting bottom in rehabilitation pools: one pool for therapy, exercise and swimming

Operators of rehabilitation centres, hotel wellness zones and sports clubs face the same challenge: different groups of clients need different water depths, while space and budget for building more separate pools are often limited. The lifting floor of the rehabilitation pool offers a solution that allows one pool to be adapted to a whole range of therapies, exercises and operating programmes — from physiotherapy to aquafitness to classic swimming.

Why commercial operations need a variable pool

In commercial wellness and rehabilitation operations, activities that place different demands on water depth alternate during the course of a single day. Individual physiotherapy in the morning requires shallow water up to the knees. Midday aqua aerobics requires chest-deep water. In the afternoon, a group of seniors comes for movement therapy. In the evening, the pool is used by swimmers for cardiovascular training. Each of these activities requires a different depth — and if the operator does not have a variable solution, they must either compromise on the quality of the programme or invest in several separate pools.

Separate pools take up a large area, increase the costs of construction, maintenance and water heating, and place higher demands on operating staff. The lifting bottom allows you to adapt the water surface to a specific activity at the touch of a button, without the need to build several pools. A single space can thus serve seniors, children, people with reduced mobility, rehabilitation clients and athletes during the day.

The operational aspect is just as important as the therapeutic one. C lient safety, hygiene, ease of operation and rapid change of pool configuration are critical factors that determine whether operations are running efficiently. A fully automated lifting floor system that can be controlled from a wall panel or mobile application meets these requirements.

Use in rehabilitation pools

The lifting floor of the rehabilitation pool opens up a wide range of therapeutic possibilities that would not be feasible in one space with a conventional pool of fixed depth:

-Individual physiotherapy — the therapist works with the client at a precisely set depth that corresponds to the diagnosis and the stage of rehabilitation. The floor can be stopped in any position, so the depth can be finely tuned according to the needs of a specific therapy.

– Group rehabilitation exercises — a group of clients exercises at the same depth, which is optimal for the given type of exercise. The depth can be adjusted after changing the programme.

– Movement therapy for seniors — for seniors, the key is a low water level, which provides relief for the joints and at the same time allows safe movement with the security of support from the bottom.

– Water walking training — very shallow depth allows for standing and walking training for clients after injuries or neurological diseases.

– Exercise for people with reduced mobility — the adjustable depth allows the water environment to be adapted to the individual degree of disability.

– Deep-water running — at a greater depth, deep-water running can be performed, during which the body does not hit the bottom and the joints are not stressed by impact.

– Cardiovascular training — the full depth of the pool allows for intensive cardiovascular exercise, including counter-current swimming.

– Exercise with an underwater treadmill or bike — specialised rehabilitation equipment can be combined with a lifting floor for targeted training.

In its materials, Imaginox also mentions aquatic cognitive-motor therapy, interval training and an aquatic obstacle course as other forms of use that can be implemented in one pool thanks to the variable depth.

Adjustable depth according to the client and therapy

The practical application of adjustable depth can be divided into several levels:

– Very shallow depth — for standing and walking exercises, when the client needs support from a solid bottom and the water only reaches above the ankles or to the knees. The bottom can also be adjusted to a depth of a few centimetres.

-Medium depth — for exercises with partial body relief, when the water is waist or chest deep. This level is ideal for aqua aerobics, movement therapy and group exercises.

-Greater depth — for deep-water exercise and swimming, when the body is not in contact with the bottom and the client moves freely in the water column.

The mobile app allows you to save three different depth levels that can be quickly recalled at any time — for example, physiotherapy in shallow water in the morning, aqua aerobics at medium depth at noon, and swimming training at full depth in the afternoon. The bottom can also be stopped at any position between the preset levels if the therapy requires a specific depth.

It is important to emphasise that the depth does not have to be the same over the entire area of the pool and the structure of the lifting bottom can be adapted to the steps, seating benches and other elements of the pool. This makes it possible to create zones with different depths in one pool, which serve different clients or therapies at the same time.

Barrier-free and safe entry into the water

One of the most valuable features of the lifting floor of the rehabilitation pool is the possibility of barrier-free entry into the water. The principle is simple: the bottom is first raised to the upper position — to the level of the surrounding floor. The client enters the platform, which in this position is a fully-fledged solid floor. The platform is then hydraulically lowered to the required depth. This makes it much easier for people who have difficulty using conventional steps to enter — for example, clients in wheelchairs, with orthoses or after surgery.

When the bottom is raised to the upper position, the water is below it and the area forms a barrier-free, flat surface without any steps or obstacles. In addition, when fully closed, the bottom prevents falling into the water, which is a critical safety consideration when working with clients who have impaired balance or mobility.

However, it must be emphasised that a project for a medical or rehabilitation facility must be designed individually and supplemented with appropriate safety features. The implementation itself, intended for a private pool, may not meet the requirements of medical operations without modifications. For rehabilitation purposes, the pool body must be modified to meet the requirements of rehabilitation operations, and the necessary safety features must be added. The system can be controlled by any code, which prevents unauthorised manipulation by children or unsupervised clients.

Use in hotels, sports clubs and public swimming pools

The lifting floor of the rehabilitation pool is used not only in medical facilities, but also in a wide range of commercial operations. One pool can function during the day as:

– A shallow pool for children — in the morning, with a depth suitable for paddling and safe play for the little ones.

– A space for aqua aerobics or aquafitness — in the morning, with a medium depth optimal for group exercises.

– A pool for seniors — at noon, with a low water level for gentle movement therapy.

– Relaxation pool — in the afternoon, with reduced depth for quiet, relaxing sitting in the water.

– Deep swimming pool — in the evening, with full depth for competitive swimming and counter-current training.

– Area for events after complete covering — after raising the bottom to the level of the surroundings, the area can be used for sitting, dry exercise or special events.

Imaginox also lists aqua zumba, water running, water bikes and other group activities among the possibilities, which can be carried out in one space without the need for structural modifications thanks to the variable depth.

For hotels, this means that the wellness zone can offer a varied programme throughout the day without expanding the pool area. For sports clubs, it opens up the possibility of combining rehabilitation, fitness training and swimming in one pool. For public swimming pools, it is a way to use space more efficiently and offer a wider range of activities.

Hygiene and durability for commercial operation

Hygiene is absolutely crucial in commercial and rehabilitation operations. The combination of a lifting bottom and a stainless-steel pool offers significant advantages in this respect, as Imaginox states in its materials.

The stainless-steel pool has a smooth, non-porous surface which, unlike tiles with mortar joints, offers minimal opportunities for bacteria and dirt to settle. Cleaning is easier and faster, which is essential in intensive operation with alternating clients. The 316L stainless steel from which the lifting floor structure is made is highly resistant to pool chemicals and long-term exposure to water. The load-bearing capacity of the covered area of 200 kg/m² guarantees that the area can be used normally when fully closed — for example, for storing equipment or as an area for therapeutic activities on dry land.

The surface of the lifting floor can be designed with a non-slip surface, which is critical for the safety of clients when entering and exiting the pool in rehabilitation and commercial operations. In addition, the bottom cladding can be adapted to the surrounding floor, so that the surface visually and tactilely matches the surrounding space when closed.

Imaginox mentions the combination of a lifting bottom and a stainless-steel pool as advantageous for hygiene and rehabilitation operations — stainless steel ensures the hygienic and sanitary properties of the pool, while the lifting bottom brings depth variability and multifunctionality.

What to consider when designing

If you are considering a lifting floor for a rehabilitation pool in a commercial or medical project, it is advisable to address the following points at an early stage of the design:

-Target groups of users — what kind of clients will use the pool (seniors, children, people with reduced mobility, athletes) and what specific requirements do they have in terms of depth, temperature and safety.

– Required working depths — which depth levels are needed for planned therapies and programmes. The mobile app allows you to save three preset levels.

– Method of entering the water — whether barrier-free entry via a lifting floor, a classic staircase, or a combination of both will be used.

– Handrails and other safety features — handrails, non-slip surfaces and barriers are essential in rehabilitation operations. For medical use, it is necessary to add appropriate safety features beyond the standard installation.

– Anti-slip properties — the surface of the lifting floor must meet the requirements for anti-slip properties for both wet and dry use; this must be addressed in the design.

– Pool technology and water treatment — intensive commercial operation places higher demands on filtration, disinfection and water circulation.

– Space for operation and servicing — although the hydraulic mechanism is concealed in the pool structure, access for maintenance and servicing of the system must be addressed.

– System control — how the system will be controlled (wall panel, mobile application, integration into a smart home) and who will have access to it. Control can be secured with a code to prevent unauthorised manipulation.

– Operational and safety requirements of a specific facility — each type of operation (medical facility, hotel, sports club) has its own specific standards and requirements that the project must respect.

Each lifting floor system is custom-made according to the specific parameters of the pool and the needs of operation. Ideally, the technology should be incorporated at the design stage of a new pool — although it is technically possible to convert an existing pool, the solution is more demanding in this case. The early involvement of the technology supplier in the project preparation allows for the optimal alignment of all design, material and operational parameters.