Discover How You Could Benefit from the Anti-Gravity Treadmill
The anti-gravity treadmill is technology of the future! This technology’s innovative approach is proving extremely impactful in a wide range of use cases, from competitive distance runners with intricate training plans, to those recovering from an injury or surgical procedure.
Alter G’s anti-gravity treadmill offers a way to simulate gravity reduction and its effects on the body without requiring a lunar landing.
There is no one-size-fits-all exercise or rehabilitation approach, but the Alter G treadmill can help in a wide variety of cases! To learn more about the anti-gravity treadmill and what it can do for you, contact The Fitness LAB to consult with a physical therapist today.
Why you should consider the anti-gravity treadmill
According to the Alter G website,
“AlterG® develops trusted, leading-edge rehab and training equipment using NASA Differential Air Pressure technology. Our Anti-Gravity Treadmill™ technology empowers people to move in new ways and without pain – to recover mobility, improve wellness, and enhance physical performance. In fact, AlterG can be found in over 4000 facilities around the world and has helped millions to safely and consistently reach their goals and achieve better outcomes.”
Everyone understands the basics of a treadmill, but the Alter G is unlike any other piece of fitness equipment you’ll find in a typical gym. The device, which uses NASA-patented technology, allows patients and athletes to participate in running or walking workouts by reducing their gravitational bodyweight.
Originally developed for astronauts looking to stay fit while in space, the technology was originally intended to increase their apparent weight, which is necessary for astronauts’ bones and muscles.
The same approach can now be used to reduce the impact of exercise on the joints in a role reversal.
When the user steps into the device, his or her lower body is encased in an airtight chamber with a skirt around the waist. The intensity of the simulated gravitational resistance can then be adjusted, affecting how strenuous the workout is, and the equipment will adjust the air pressure in the chamber to create the desired environment.
The anti-gravity treadmill explained
Weight, and thus gravity, is the number one enemy for many joint conditions. The resulting discomfort is not only painful, but it can also pave the way for additional issues caused by overuse or by adopting a sedentary lifestyle to avoid those activities entirely.
Users of the Alter G’s anti-gravity treadmill can still enjoy a rigorous cardiovascular workout while also strengthening the lower-body muscles, all without causing joint damage that would occur with “full gravity.”
While in use, this device will reduce the impact of your body weight by 80%. It is a type of treatment that can benefit anyone – athletes, seniors, patients undergoing physical rehabilitation, and so on. It provides much-needed relief that most other treatments simply cannot provide.
The Alter G Treadmill can help you comfortably restore your normal walking, jogging, running, and moving mechanics by releasing your body’s gravitational pressure. It also encourages strengthening exercises that help to heal damaged tissue and build muscle. All of this adds up to a much safer, faster, and more comfortable recovery than you might have had otherwise.
Alter G technology creates a controlled environment in which patients can exercise and heal. This allows them to return to their favorite activities much sooner than they might have expected. Patients can avoid unwanted risks such as swelling, inflammation, weakened muscles, or even atrophy by returning to physical activity as soon as possible.
What the anti-gravity treadmill can do for you
Joint pain and wear affect different people in different ways, but as it’s a universal risk, virtually anyone stands to benefit from the technology by tailoring a specialized plan for their needs. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Athletic training: Serious distance runners really pack on the mileage in training mode, presenting enormous risks of cumulative joint damage. Not only can the low gravity environment help diminish joint wear, but also the bad habits of sloppy form that can arise with exhaustion and muscle overexertion. By focusing on the correct form and motion, one can run longer and faster, getting race-ready sooner than ever.
- Injury rehab: Joint pain and wear aren’t the only dangers, compound fractures and damage to ligaments that support the knees and ankles can sideline someone for an extended period. Working your way back to 100% can take a long time, especially if the main prognosis is to simply “stay off it.” The extended time off can lead to the weakening of the muscles not merely in the affected area but the entire lower body and cardiovascular system. By reducing the harmful effects of gravity on the body, one can stay active without exacerbating the injury, getting back into form quicker than ever.
- Surgical rehab: No matter the patient’s age, those coming out of surgery often have a long convalescence and recovery process in which different parts of the body advance at different rates. The ability to customize the resistance on the lower extremities and increase or decrease intensity as required can be an enormous game-changer for those looking to get back on their feet. The ideal environment for patients can be a boon not only in fitness and recovery, but providing a safe space to avoid a major setback with a potential fall.
Begin a treatment plan today
We are committed to developing the most effective physical therapy treatment plan for your specific needs. Following your consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a physical evaluation to determine where your problem areas are and the best course of action for resolving those problems. During this time, your physical therapist will assess whether the Alter G Treadmill is appropriate for you.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, please contact The Fitness LAB right away to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists. We’ll get you started on the road to recovery and long-term relief in no time!
