How does a movable pool floor work?

A swimming pool with a fixed depth can respond well to a specific need, but it is not always able to adapt to very different uses. A deep pool designed for sports swimming is not always suitable for children or beginners. A shallow pool, ideal for aqua fitness or teaching activities, cannot host competitive training or events. A pool that remains unused during certain times of the day also represents space that is not being fully optimised.

A movable pool floor is designed to overcome this limitation. It is an adjustable platform installed inside the pool basin, allowing the water depth to be changed in a precise, safe and controlled way. In just a few minutes, the same pool can shift from a sports pool to a space for swimming lessons, rehabilitation activities, aqua fitness, recreational swimming, school programmes or leisure activities.

This flexibility makes a swimming pool with a movable floor a particularly interesting solution for commercial swimming pool projects, including sports facilities, aquatic centres, public pools and leisure venues where the same space needs to support different requirements. The objective is not simply to change the depth, but to increase the functional value of the pool, making it more versatile, accessible and efficient in daily operation.

In summary: a movable pool floor is an adjustable platform installed inside the pool basin that allows the water depth to be changed without emptying the pool. In this way, a single pool can be used for sports swimming, children’s lessons, aqua fitness, rehabilitation, recreational activities or events. The system can be integrated into new pools or, following a technical assessment, also into existing pools.

A movable floor is a mechanical platform designed to move up or down inside the pool basin, reaching different operating levels. The movement can be managed through hydraulic, mechanical or pool-integrated systems, depending on the project, the dimensions of the pool and the operational requirements of the facility.

One important point is that the pool water is not drained during movement. It remains inside the pool and flows freely around and beneath the platform, also passing through dedicated openings in the structure as the floor rises or lowers. This allows the depth to be adjusted without interrupting the pool’s functionality and without turning each adjustment into a long or complex operation.

The system is normally operated through a control panel, which allows the required level to be selected. This gives the facility operator the ability to set different depths according to the daily schedule: shallow water for children’s lessons, an intermediate depth for fitness activities, a deeper pool for sports swimming, or a fully raised floor to create a walkable surface.

For more information about the technical characteristics of the system, visit the page dedicated to movable pool floors.

Full movement and partial movement

In Myrtha Pools systems, the movable floor can be designed with full movement or partial movement.

Full movement involves the entire surface of the pool. The floor rises or lowers uniformly across the whole area, allowing the pool to be completely transformed. When brought up to deck level, the floor creates a continuous walkable surface that can also be used as a technical area, an event space or a service zone.

Partial movement, on the other hand, involves only one section of the pool. For example, one part of the basin can maintain its original depth, while another section is adjusted to a different level. This configuration is especially useful in facilities where different activities take place at the same time: one area can be dedicated to children’s lessons or rehabilitation, while the other remains available for recreational swimming or training.

In some projects, a movable floor can be combined with movable bulkheads. This integration makes it possible to divide the same pool into multiple independent areas, each with its own depth and function. It is a particularly effective solution for aquatic centres, schools, public facilities and sports venues that need to maximise pool use throughout the day.

The main types of movable pool floor

Technical solutions can vary depending on the type of project. In general, movable pool floors can be based on floating platforms, scissor systems or systems integrated into the pool structure.

In floating systems, the platform is supported by buoyancy elements and moved through control mechanisms connected to the structure. In scissor systems, the vertical movement is generated by a mechanical structure positioned beneath the platform, designed to ensure stability and flatness throughout the different operating phases. In integrated systems, the lifting mechanisms are positioned along the perimeter of the pool and operate through screw-jack mechanisms. This reduces the presence of components on the pool floor and simplifies some cleaning and maintenance activities.

The choice of system depends on several factors: pool dimensions, intended use, available space, architectural requirements, movement frequency and the need to integrate with other accessories.

The main benefit of a movable pool floor is the ability to multiply the uses of the same pool. It is not only a technical feature, but a strategic choice for the management of commercial pool facilities.

Maximising pool use

A traditional pool is often limited to one type of activity at a time. With an adjustable movable pool floor, the depth can change according to the daily programme.

The same pool can host children’s lessons in the morning, aqua fitness activities in the middle of the day, sports training in the afternoon and an evening event. In a school environment, it can support both learn-to-swim programmes and more advanced sports activities. In an aquatic centre, it makes it possible to increase the number of courses and services without building multiple separate pools.

For sports pools, this flexibility is particularly useful because it allows the facility to adapt to different users, disciplines and levels of practice, while maintaining a high level of operational continuity.

Active safety

When the movable floor is raised to deck level, the pool can become a walkable surface. This reduces the risk of accidental falls into the water when the pool is not in use, offering an active safety solution compared with traditional pool covers.

In environments used by children, athletes, external users or people with different levels of independence, this aspect can be particularly relevant. The pool is not left as an open and potentially exposed space, but can be closed in a functional and integrated way.

Energy saving

A movable pool floor for energy saving can contribute to more efficient pool management. When the platform is raised, the exposed water surface can be reduced, helping to limit heat loss and evaporation. This can have a positive impact on heating and water treatment costs, especially in facilities with intensive use or long periods of inactivity between scheduled activities.

The benefit naturally depends on the characteristics of the facility, the water temperature, the environmental context and the frequency of use, but it remains an important element in the overall assessment of the system.

Accessibility

A swimming pool with a movable floor can make water access easier for children, older users, beginners and people with reduced mobility. Adjustable depth creates safer and more progressive conditions, reducing the need for additional access equipment in many activities.

In rehabilitation settings, for example, the possibility to set a precise level allows the exercise to be adapted to the person, the treatment and the level of independence. In a public or sports pool, it also makes it easier to organise inclusive and differentiated activities.

Functional versatility of the space

When the movable floor reaches deck level, the pool can be transformed into a surface that can support other functions. In an aquatic centre, it can become a space for temporary activities, events or special configurations. In a leisure facility, it can create continuity between the water area and the surrounding spaces. In a public facility, it can help make better use of the pool even when no water-based activity is scheduled.

For public pools, this versatility is particularly useful because it makes it possible to respond to different needs: courses, school activities, recreational swimming, family programmes, training, rehabilitation and leisure use.

One of the most common questions concerns movable pool floor installation: can it only be installed in a new pool, or can it also be added to an existing pool?

The answer is that both options are possible, but they require different assessments.

In the case of a new pool, integration is generally simpler. The pool can be designed from the beginning to include the technical spaces, movement systems, access points, structural loads and possible combination with other accessories, such as movable bulkheads or separation systems.

In the case of an existing pool, a more detailed technical analysis is required. The pool dimensions, load-bearing structure, availability of side or perimeter spaces, access to technical rooms and the general condition of the facility all need to be assessed. Not every pool can accommodate the same system, but a well-developed project can make it possible to install a movable floor even in renovation contexts.

The main phases usually include a technical survey, design of the movement system, definition of the platform, installation, testing and final certification. For a new pool, the movable floor can be evaluated together with the construction of new pools. For an intervention on an existing pool, it is important to begin with a structural and functional assessment of the facility.

Movable pool floor maintenance is important to ensure safety, durability and continuity of operation. Like any mechanical system installed in an aquatic environment, it requires scheduled controls and periodic checks.

Routine activities may include checking the movement systems, inspecting pistons, motors or actuators, lubricating sliding guides, checking safety devices and emergency stops. It is also important to verify the condition of the walkable surface, which must remain stable, resistant and anti-slip.

In many cases, an annual check can be used as a reference frequency, but the schedule may vary depending on intensity of use, type of facility and the manufacturer’s technical instructions. Commercial pool facilities, especially public, sports or leisure venues with frequent movements, may require a more structured service plan.

Relying on specialised support helps manage maintenance in a preventive way, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime and preserving system performance over time.

The cost of a movable pool floor cannot be defined with a standard figure, because it depends on many design and technical variables.

The first variable is the size of the pool. A larger platform requires a more extensive structure, suitable movement systems and more complex checks. The type of movement also affects the cost: hydraulic, mechanical, floating, scissor or integrated solutions can have different characteristics and levels of complexity.

Another element is the finish of the walkable surface. Depending on the project, the floor can be made with different materials and finishes, selected according to aesthetics, resistance, comfort, anti-slip safety and architectural integration.

Finally, the installation context is also important. Installing a movable floor in a new pool allows every detail to be designed in a coordinated way. Installing it in an existing pool may require additional assessments, structural adaptations or work on technical spaces.

For this reason, the cost must be evaluated case by case, starting from the objectives of the facility: increasing pool use, improving safety, expanding the range of activities, making the space more accessible or transforming the pool into a multifunctional environment.

A movable pool floor is not just a technical accessory. It is a design solution that changes the way a pool can be used, managed and valued.

It makes it possible to adapt the depth to different users, activities and times of day. It helps optimise the available space. It can improve safety, accessibility and energy efficiency. In some contexts, it can even transform the pool into a walkable surface, extending the possible uses of the entire environment.

For commercial pool facilities such as sports venues, aquatic centres, public pools and leisure environments that require a high level of flexibility, choosing a swimming pool with a movable floor means designing a more adaptable space that can evolve over time.

To identify the most suitable solution for your project, contact the Myrtha Pools team and request a personalised technical consultation.