Hospital for Special Care Aquatic Rehabilitation and Fitness Center
Please be advised that our pools will be closed for cleaning and maintenance beginning Monday, July 5th, 2010. We anticipate that we will resume normal pool operations on Monday, July 12, 2010. The fitness center will not be affected by the pool closing and will be open during normal operating hours.
The Aquatic Rehab and Fitness Center will be closed on Monday, July 5th in observance of Independence Day.
The Aquatic Rehabilitation and Fitness Center (opened in 1999), is located on the campus of Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. This dynamic 27,000 square foot facility provides a beautiful, easily accessible center for people rehabilitating after illness or injury as well as for those who want to build their strength and fitness level and improve their overall health. The Aquatic Rehabilitation Center offers handicap parking and accessibility by elevator or side ramp entrance. The facility features handicap accessible locker rooms and customized changing areas for people who need assistance from an accompanying aide or family member.
The Center has a 92 degree warm water pool to help reduce pain during and after aquatic therapy. This pool is a special purpose pool approved for therapeutic use and is open to individuals undergoing aquatic therapy, engaging in directly supervised aquatic exercise classes, or to members with special health needs participating with physician permission. The 85 degree cool water pool features both a recreational swim and lap area and is open to all members. Both pools are handicap accessible.
Therapy Pool access: Swim lift, ramp for water wheelchair access, Hoyer lift, transfer wall and bench in the water for those who need to sit while exercising.
Fitness Pool access: Swim lift, Hoyer lift, and transfer wall
Aquatic Classes and Swim Lesson Options
Water exercise is prefect for improving flexibility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. The Aquatic Rehabilitation Center offers many different types of water exercise classes and the ability to swim is not necessary to participate in the classes. Deep water walking, shallow water aerobics and the arthritis aquatic program are just a few of the classes available. Click here for a description of classes and to view the current class schedule.
The Center offers private and group swim instruction by a trained Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Learning to swim is easy and fun with a program that is designed to introduce concepts and skills for adapted swimming techniques and various swimming levels. Lessons are open to individuals of all levels and ages. One-on-one assistance is also available to individuals needing ongoing assistance in the water. Upon the completion of aquatic therapy, your physical therapist will provide you with a personalized water program. A water safety instructor can then be scheduled to be in the water with you to provide assistance with balance, equipment usage, and program implementation.
Private lesson times and one-on-one appointments are coordinated around participant and instructor availability. For additional information or to schedule an appointment with one of our instructors, please contact the Aquatic Center front desk.
Fitness Center
The adjoining fitness center is equipped with a variety of cardiovascular exercise and strength-training equipment designed to improve cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. The center features equipment specifically designed for individuals living with disabilities.
Equipment includes:
- Precor Elliptical Trainers
- *Biostep Semi Recumbent Elliptical
- *Bowflex
- Treadmills
- Workout benches
- *Biodex Upper Body Cycle
- Cybex Strength Training Equipment
- Recumbent bikes
- Free Weights
- *Equalizer training station: Lat pull down, tricep dip, bicep curl, chest fly, seated row
*handicap accessible
Upon joining the Aquatic Rehabilitation Center, our personal trainer will provide you with an orientation to the fitness center. Orientations are by appointment and include a demonstration on how to properly use the fitness center equipment. For an additional fee, personal training sessions are available in a one on one setting. Our certified personal trainer will assess your level of physical fitness and help you work towards your personal fitness goals through proper exercise instruction and personal motivation. Additional training services include fitness assessments, program development, and focused training sessions. To make an appointment with our personal trainer please contact the Aquatic Center front desk.
This Center brings together fitness and rehabilitation in one convenient setting; from wheelchair athletes in training to members of the community who take advantage of the Center's various membership and program options. Our continuum of care truly has something for everyone. For a tour of the facility or to inquire about the Aquatic Rehabilitation Center's membership rates and program information, please call 1-877-HSC-POOL (1-877-472-7665).
Hours of Operation
Fitness Center
Monday - Friday 6:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 6:00am to 1:00pm
Fitness and Therapy Pool
Monday – Friday 6:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday 6:00am to 12:00pm
Weather Related Schedule Changes
Please call 1-877-472-7665 to find out if the Aquatic Rehabilitation Center will be opening late or closing early due to inclement weather or thunder and lightening storms.
Participation Guidelines
- Patients undergoing aquatic therapy are required to check in at the Aquatic Center front desk prior to each appointment.
- Members are required to swipe in at the front desk using their membership ID tag.
- Members requesting to use the therapy pool must have their physician complete a Therapeutic Pool Physician Permission form. Members are required to provide the Aquatic Rehabilitation Center with the completed form prior to using the therapy pool. Forms are available at the Aquatic Center front desk.
- Bathing suits are required. Staff must authorize any exception.
- The Dept. of Public Health requires all persons to shower with soap and warm water prior to entering the pool.
- Non-skid water shoes must be worn on the pool decks and in the locker rooms at all times. Street shoes are not permitted on the pool deck.
- Bowel and bladder incontinence is an absolute contraindication to pool use. For further information please contact the Aquatic Center front desk.
- Individuals with communicable diseases cannot use the pool.
- Do not use the pool if you have a rash or open wound.
