To be honest, I’ve been coveting the space-age AlterG treadmill from the very moment it was introduced back in 2009 and Runners World showed Kara Goucher running on one, rehabbing an injury.
What is an AlterG, you ask? It’s an “anti-gravity” treadmill. It can be adjusted so you can run at any weight between 20% and 100% of your bodyweight. It’s the mack daddy when it comes to returning to running after injury because it allows you to train without pain and reduces stress on your joints and muscles. It is also a valuable tool for:
- Rehabilitating after surgery of the hip, knee, ankle or foot
- Training through an injury
- Reduced impact training and conditioning
- Gait training
- Weight control and reduction
- Strength and conditioning for older patients
My maiden voyage on the AlterG happened earlier this week at Athletico in Barrington, IL where I met Chad, my tour guide.
First I donned some neoprene shorts with a Jane Jetson-esque zippered flange around the waist. This is so I could be zipped and sealed into the AlterG, because the air pressure from the waist down changes as you adjust the percent of bodyweight you wish to run at.
Next the mill weighs you (and so wisely keeps that number to itself) and calibrates.
Soon I was off and running. First at 100% bodyweight, which even that felt easier than usual because I’m a total sucker for the placebo effect.
Then Chad took some bodyweight off. Hellooo lover! My running felt easier, lighter, faster. I was able to increase speed with ease. There’s something about the way the lower body is held in place that helps with proper running form. I felt biomechanically more efficient.
So I clipped along in the 8.5–9.0 neighborhood (hello that’s a 6:57–7:04/mile–a pace I see only in my dreams these days), chatting with Chad, and it felt like little more than a walk in the park. I felt completely comfortable and unencumbered on the AlterG.
If you’ve hung around here, you know I am no stranger to injury. There was the ITB, the strained peroneal tendon, achilles, oh and let’s not forget the ruptured hamstring. Each time I’d race to the pool and run there. And pool running is great. But the AlterG is even cooler. What I didn’t know is how relatively reasonable the price to use one is. At my particular location it costs $25/half hour and you can buy packages that make the price even lower. There’s also a special offer going on now where you get a third session free when you buy two.
Besides being an awesome tool for injury rehab, the AlterG can be used for speedwork as well. You could do intervals starting with less bodyweight and increase it as you grow stronger. Overall it was a fun and eye opening experience. This is definitely a valuable tool I am happy to have access to. Special thanks to Chad and Outside PR for inviting me to try out the AlterG. Visit the AlterG website to locate an anti-gravity mill near you.
Have you heard of the AlterG? Tried it?
this is awesome and i so want to try it!
Very cool that you got to try this!
we used the alter G a lot when my husband was injured! it’s awesome, but boring. haha
I’d love to try that. If only to know the feeling of being faster than I usually can be. So cool!
I tried out the AlterG two years ago and loved it! I also felt so fast running at like 8.0 & not feeling tired. I wish that could be my everyday pace! I Also wish there was one near me, because I have shin splint issues that always come up and this would be a lifesaver. Imagine having one in your house? Now that’d be cool 🙂
I’ve definitely spent my time on an AlterG! My thoughts: such a great tool for rehab or even for sneaking in some extra miles without all the impact. I have one right up the street that I can get on for really cheap. All that said–I hate treadmills and I still get just as bored on an AlterG as I do on a normal one!
I’ve heard about it … I’d like to have it in my house.
Regards.
ooh I want to try one so bad! I know I would love it!
I have heard of them, and would love to try one.
How awesome that you got to try one out! I think an Alter G could change the way I feel about treadmills!
I have been eyeing AlterG locations for a while– especially since I was injured last year. love reading about your experience!
I’ve never been on one, but if i had to run stuck in one place for a long time, THAT’s the way to do it!! What a great machine. I heard there’s one near me that I can use for free, but I just haven’t checked it out yet.
Wow! That’s a really great tool. I looked out of curiosity and there’s one at a senior center near my work. I guess tat would be okay if I needed it. I am a grandma. 🙂 So I guess it keeps your heartrate lower as your lighter and then it gradually makes you heavier until you can actually run at that pace.?.
Marcia-
I really think I need to get over to try a run on that machine! IT seems so amazing! What a neat opportunity!
SO cool!! I’ve always wanted to try this and I just figured you had to own your own or be at an elite training facility – thank you for posting the AlterG link, because I found a couple of places near me that have one!
That is absolutely amazing!! I hope that rehab centers everywhere are getting those, because they would truly be so helpful for patients. WOW.-Ashley
I would love to try running on the AlterG – I know that a place in Wichita has one and I actually got a coupon in the packet from Hunter’s half. Maybe I will check it out sometime this fall!
That is really cool! I had no idea anything like that even existed. I know, I live under a rock. But how cool is that that you got to try it out!