The 9 Best Water Exercise Devices for Every Fitness Level and Age

Looking for ways to make your water workouts more exciting and effective?
Not sure which gear is best for your age, fitness level, or aquatic goal?
In this article, we’re breaking down the best water exercise devices—from high-tech goggles to underwater treadmills—to help you choose the right equipment for fun, safety, or serious results.
Whether you’re a beginner, a senior seeking joint-friendly movement, or training for your next triathlon, you’ll discover the best tools to support your goals in the water.

Best Water Exercise Equipment for Kids

1. Fun Floaties and Pool Toys

Floaties aren’t just about staying safe, they can turn any swim session into an adventure. Look for options with built-in games, sun protection, or character designs to keep kids entertained while building water confidence.

Best for: Toddlers and young children learning to swim

2. Kid-Friendly Swim Goggles with Audio

Goggles like those from Zygo deliver music, encouragement, or swim instructions via bone conduction—no earbuds required. They're perfect for keeping kids engaged in swim lessons or longer pool time.

Explore Zygo goggles for kids

Best Aquatic Fitness Tools for Seniors

3. Aqua Dumbbells and Resistance Paddles

These lightweight, water-resistant tools offer joint-friendly resistance training. They’re ideal for improving strength and mobility without the stress of traditional weights.

Best for: Seniors doing water aerobics or physical therapy

4. Underwater Treadmills

The Aquabuilt underwater treadmill reduces joint impact while still allowing full range of motion. It is great for rehab, arthritis relief, or gentle conditioning. This treadmill is great for new or existing pools; it is lightweight and can be moved to the side to use the pool.

Learn more about Aquabuilt underwater treadmills.

Best Water Exercise Gear for Fitness Enthusiasts

5. Swim-in-Place Systems

If you're short on pool space or want a harder cardio push, swim-in-place machines provide a powerful current you swim against, turning even a small pool into an endurance workout station.

Best for: Intermediate swimmers and home fitness buffs

6. Aqua Resistance Belts and Fins

Add variety and challenge to your water workouts with belts and fins that intensify leg and core engagement. Ideal for HIIT-style aquatic routines or cross-training.

Best Professional-Grade Swim Equipment

7. Form Swim Goggles with Performance Metrics

Want to swim like a pro? Form Swim goggles display real-time stats (pace, distance, heart rate) directly in your field of vision, no smartwatch needed.

See how Form Swim goggles work.

Best for: Competitive swimmers, triathletes, and high-performance training

8. Zygo Headphones for Audio Coaching

Unlike regular swim headphones, Zygo transmits via bone conduction and connects to your phone above water, streaming music, workouts, or coaching apps as you swim.

Best for: Solo swimmers who want music, podcasts, or coached workouts mid-lap

Check out Zygo Swim’s waterproof audio gear.

Multi-Purpose Aquatic Training Tools

9. Hydrorevolution Gear

Hydrorevolution offers an array of resistance equipment, from drag gloves to omnidirectional paddles. This gear is used by professionals in rehabilitation, athletic training, and aquatic therapy.

Browse Hydrorevolution’s full line

Best for: All skill levels, depending on your routine focus

Why Water Exercise Devices Are Booming in Home Pools

Water fitness isn’t just fun, it’s becoming a go-to for rehab, aging well, and full-body conditioning, especially in residential pools.

Here’s why homeowners, therapists, and athletes are adding aquatic fitness tools like underwater treadmills to their setups:

Gentle on Joints, Big on Benefits

• Exercising in water reduces the impact on the body by up to 80%, making movement easier and less painful for people with arthritis, chronic pain, or joint stiffness.

• Water’s natural hydrostatic pressure helps reduce swelling, relax muscles, and support healing.

“Older adults with osteoarthritis often avoid walking, but underwater treadmill therapy can actually relieve their pain.”

Improves Balance and Confidence

• Underwater treadmills provide low-risk gait training, ideal for older adults or anyone recovering from injury.

• Moving in water mimics real-life biomechanics while reducing fall risk, a key reason these devices are used in physical therapy settings.

Boosts Heart Health & Stamina

• The resistance of water increases cardiovascular effort without joint strain.

• A Texas A&M study found aquatic treadmill workouts lower blood pressure more effectively than land-based ones.

Builds Strength and Flexibility Faster

• Underwater training activates leg, hip, core, and stabilizer muscles due to the water’s viscosity.

• When paired with resistance tools or massage jets, these workouts improve flexibility and recovery speed.

Great for Recovery and High-Performance Training

• Used in pro sports facilities, aquatic treadmills now support athletes in plyometric training even while injured.

• From hip surgery recovery to full-body strengthening, underwater movement helps rebuild strength without overloading healing tissues.

Considering a Backyard Water Gym?

If you’re upgrading your pool or planning a new one,  adding water fitness features like underwater treadmills, massage jets, or resistance zones can turn a simple swim space into a year-round health tool.

Talk to our design team about customizing your residential pool for aquatic workouts, physical therapy, or pro-level training.

Your Next Step Toward Better Aquatic Fitness

Whether you're looking to help your child enjoy the water, recover from an injury, or push your performance to new levels, there's a water exercise tool designed for your goal.
You’ve just explored the best options available for all ages and fitness levels, from smart goggles to swim-in-place machines.

So what’s next?
Now that you know what gear is out there, your next step is to explore “Which Water Exercise Program Is Right for You?” (Coming soon.)

This article was written by Daniela Escudero, a passionate water fitness advocate who helps people choose the right tools to feel better, stronger, and safer.