This is an Alter-G (anti-gravity treadmill). It’s also the only one on The Cape, and its at Function First Physical Therapy, in Hyannis . In brief: you NEED to try it to fully understand its’ potential. In Not brief: The Alter-G is basically a treadmill you zip-into, which can essentially reduce your mass (from 100% down to 20% and anywhere in-between). It does this with air pressure, and overall I find it not at all awkward to use and run in. Think of just some of the possibilities. If you have a minor injury that would traditionally prevent you from running (i.e. stress fracture), you can still run on an Alter-G, thus preventing a loss of fitness. If you’ve had a major injury where you are unable to bare your full body weight safely, you can likely still walk/run on an Alter-G far earlier than you normally could indoors or out, thus getting a jump start on healing and health. Furthermore, for anyone who is having some issues with stability, you could likely use an Alter-G as it would limit ones ability to fall (I actually don’t think you CAN fall using it, but hey I know if I say that someone will figure out how). Also, imagine anyone who might be carrying far too many extra pounds; an Alter-G could a) allow them to run earlier and with far less risk of impact injury sooner in their weight loss journey, and b) can show someone what it can feel like to move around with less body mass. It is ASTOUNDING the difference I feel at the end of a session, where I perhaps *only* took off 20 lbs. or so. Think about what a real-time, tangible, motivating incentive that could be. I know it motivates me to be as trim as possible! All those things (and more possibilities) are great, but what really gets ME excited are the performance opportunities. For example, in this video I was in the midst of an “easy” 5 mile run. During the run, I was at 84% of my body weight, so at 174 lbs. = to an equivalent of ~ 146, saving me 28 lbs. or so of my current frame. Now here is the cool part- my effort was easy (HR Averaged ~ 60 -65% of max), but I averaged ~ 5:50/mile pace. No, that’s not a blazing fast speed, but it’s certainly one that would require more effort than my cardiovascular system expend. So for all intents and purposes I was doing a “recovery run”, with the benefit of my legs moving closer to tempo pace. Neurological adaptations without the stress. Since I am just starting up again after a 3 week break, it was a perfect way to “get the legs going” without making myself sore. I once did a 7 mile progression run on an Alter-G in Colorado. I started off ~5:10/mile pace, and but those down until the last one ended in a 3:58. 3:58! At ALTITUDE! For reference, no one has run a sub-4 in Colorado EVER (except in a downhill mile). Obviously, what I did didn’t count, but I think it shows the potential of the Alter-G to allow you to do things you normal could never do. And I do think there are benefits to those things, physiological adaptations that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Added weekly milage at a faster pace. Added weekly milage without increasing risk of injury. SPEEDWORK otherwise not possible. The possibilities are really up to your creativity. In conclusion- even if you typically don’t like treadmills, give it at least one try. If you ever find yourself in a position where you can’t run as you’d please, the Alter-G could be your saving grace.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:22:55 +0000
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