Today I was lucky to have the chance to try out the AlterG – the Anti-Gravity Treadmill. When I was asked if I wanted to try it out, my answer was a HUGE yes! While I’m not battling injury, I do have a bit of a knee thing going on and thought that the timing was perfect (9 days before the marathon). I was connected with Randy at MOST – Metro Orthopedic Sports Therapy in Silver Spring and set up a visit. MOST is one of the leading sports medicine practices in the area and they work with a number of professional athletes in the area, including athletes from DC’s professional soccer teams. I was pretty excited to try the AlterG. So what, is the AlterG – what does anti-gravity treadmill actually mean? Essentially, it means that you can choose to run using anywhere from 20-100% of your body weight. This in turn, makes the run MUCH easier on your joints and on your body in general. Here’s more info from the experts:
Train Unburdened
Thanks to its precise unweighting technology, the AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill® allows you to push your training and physical therapy rehabilitation further than ever before. You can:
- Reduce gravity’s impact by selecting any weight between 20% and 100% of your body weight by 1% increments
- Rehabilitate lower extremity injuries with less pain and less impact
- Improve mobility, strength and safety for those with neurological conditions
- Provide a safe way to lose weight and exercise more intensively while unweighted
- Train without pain and reduce the stress to joints and muscles
- Recover effectively and with less pain after training or competition
Find Your Form
The innovative AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is a game changer in physical therapy rehabilitation. Whether you’re a patient or an athlete dealing with lower body injuries, chronic pain or neurological conditions that inhibit mobility, you can benefit from the unweighting capabilities of the Anti-Gravity Treadmill. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill helps a broad spectrum of people – top level athletes, orthopedic and neurologicpatients, pediatric, geriatricand those looking to lose weight – to achieve their personal health, wellness or performance goals.
The AlterG Difference
With its unique unweighting capabilities, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows you and your physical therapist to move your training and rehabilitation forward by:
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Allowing you to walk or run with no pain while maintaining a normal gait
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Reducing stress on joints and injured areas of your lower body
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Giving you the confidence and ability to run or walk longer and recover faster with less pain
So, how was it? Well, I stepped into the little compression pant thingee you wear (technical, I know) and then got all zipped in. Since I’m not injured, we went with 70% body weight and while at first it felt like I had a huge baddonkadonk, I got used to it quickly and starting upping the speed. I settled in to a 9:20 pace and ran 4 miles while listening to the newest Serial podcast (omg, if you aren’t listening to this you are DOING IT WRONG). IT FELT AMAZING. Seriously. I felt fast and light (which makes sense) and just really really good. So good that I’m going back next week to get in miles before the marathon.
Randy at MOST was incredible and even had some ideas about my knee pain (and those ideas didn’t involve anything related to “less running before the marathon” so I loved him) and if you are local to the area, you should check out the AlterG treadmill at MOST.
Have you ever ran on an AlterG treadmill??
i’ve heard of this and been dying to try!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Thinking Out Loud – Volume 1
you should check them out — it’s GREAT!
Interesting. Ive heard of these but didn’t really understand what it did. That sounds like a great tool, especially for someone battling an injury.
Chaitali recently posted…Breakfast frittata
yes, it’s great for injuries and just really awesome in general!
I’ve read another blogger’s review of this and they also loved it! I wouldn’t even know where to try it out over here in CA!
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…My Top Post Workout Mistakes
you can go to the alterg website and find the closest one to you!
I’ve been on the Alter-G for my knee injury. It was certainly funky at first but it was interesting.
Lesley recently posted…Establishing a Schedule
i loved it and am excited to go back next week!
I’d be afraid to try it because I wouldn’t want to run without one aftewards
Rebecca Jo recently posted…Where’s the weigh-in post?
haha, truth!
This is so cool, Courtney; I’d love to try one, just to see what it feels like. So glad you found a place that has one for you to enjoy – have fun and take care of yourself!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Book Review: Hello From the Gillespies by Monica McInerney
you should definitely try one out! it’s so cool 🙂
Yes! I loved running on the Alter G. There is also one in Falls Church at the Endurance Athlete Center which is where I went! Wish I could go more often!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Ultimate Direction Handy 20 Review
Isn’t the Alter G amazing?! I loved it when I tried it and am hoping to get some time in on it again this winter.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Some New Goals
Omg this is so cool. I wanna try one out!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…If the Disney Princess lived in the United States, Where would they live?
I have never run on one of these before, but would be so interested in trying one out once!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weight Watchers – Week 16 of Meetings
Yes! My PT in Baltimore had one, and I used it when I had an ankle injury last year. Those space pants are interesting, haha. It was nice to be able to run on one, when I couldn’t run on a regular treadmill or outside at all. 🙂
megan @outlawontherun recently posted…November Plank Challenge {aka Planksgiving}
I used the Alter G a few times last winter when I was recovering from a stress fracture. It was a really interesting experience but allowed me to run. Love those shorts right?!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…10 Reasons to Love the Run For The Parks 10K
This sounds AWESOME! Will be looking for a location near me to try it out! Thanks for sharing!
Alex @ mommy track fitness recently posted…A Day With Hemp Hearts + Giveaway
It was super cool! 🙂
That sounds need! Would be fun to check it out! I think one of our family friends use to intern w/ MOST, but that was years ago!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – What’s New II (Weekend Edition)
That looks like a really great piece of equipment! I’d love to try that out sometime, too. I bet it would be the answer to a lot of gym injuries like these: http://www.usedgymequipment.com/7-common-gym-injuries-how-to-avoid/
I have been dying to try one of those treadmills! They look so space-like so they’re a little intimidating! I’m glad it worked well for you!