Have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk on the moon? That’s exactly what came to mind when I got an email a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to try out an anti-gravity treadmill. I jumped at the chance, thinking it would be an opportunity to feel like I was in a sci-fi show like Star Trek or Star Wars. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed!
We visited The Bluffs in Columbia, Missouri, where we got to check out a state-of-the-art AlterG anti-gravity treadmill. Physical therapist assistant Josh Nickell was there to answer all our questions and let us give it a try. You might be wondering, who needs an anti-gravity treadmill?
Well, this amazing piece of equipment is fantastic for athletes, regular folks, or older adults. The AlterG treadmill is like a high-end, supercharged version of a regular treadmill. It looks quite unusual in action, with a big bubble covering half of it.
These treadmills are getting more popular because of their benefits in helping people, especially athletes and the elderly, recover from injuries like hip or knee surgeries. The treadmill allows patients to walk without the full pressure of their body weight.
Josh explained that they could take up to 80% of a patient’s weight off. This reduction in weight makes it feel like you’re barely touching the ground!
The setup is quite impressive. You put on what looks like half of a scuba wetsuit and get zipped into the AlterG treadmill. The machine then fills a large airtight bubble with air, continually blowing it in to lift the weight off you. The wetsuit shorts with the bag create an airtight seal, and the constant blower maintains the right pressure in the bag. As it inflates, it calibrates your body weight to balance the load correctly.
By calibrating to your specific body weight, it can take off a significant portion, so you’re only running on a fraction of your weight. You can also adjust the treadmill’s incline to ensure you get good traction and foot contact.
The treadmill has several cameras to monitor your gait, foot placement, and foot contact. Plus, a certified professional is always there to help minimize any anxiety about using it. Safety is crucial, and as Josh noted, patients often feel apprehensive at first. However, once they are comfortable and see how safe the machine is, they really thrive.
The sensation of walking or running on just 20% of your body weight is quite strange at first. It made me feel a bit giddy and nervous. It’s a unique experience because when else would you ever be on only 20% of your body weight?
When the treadmill is flat, it feels like you’re barely touching your toes, which is why increasing the incline helps with foot contact. After that, it feels like you’re floating across the treadmill’s surface.
Just five minutes on the AlterG treadmill, and you can easily see and feel how vital this tool can be for anyone recovering from an injury or aiming to improve their endurance! It’s an excellent tool for people coming back from surgeries by gradually increasing the weight on their joints and their range of motion as they get stronger.
Incrementally increasing the session duration can also help with endurance. This machine is a fantastic alternative training method for professional athletes.
While there aren’t many AlterG treadmills around the country just yet, their number is growing. If you’re considering adding it to your post-surgery plan or just want to give it a try, you can find a session near you by checking the AlterG website.
This machine is making a big difference. Josh shared a story about a patient with a spinal cord injury who couldn’t move a toe when she first came in. Recently, she managed to walk for 15 minutes at 50% of her weight on the AlterG treadmill.
Lots of good things are happening thanks to the AlterG!
If you’re interested in trying it out, you can find a local AlterG anti-gravity treadmill online. We want to thank Josh and The Bluffs for letting us visit and experience this incredible technology!
