The quick question is this: Has anyone out there had much experience with the AlterG treadmill for training? Have read a fair bit about it and it seems like a good thing for someone like me (see below) but I am curious if anyone has used it a lot and if so, did it help your running ability?
The longish backstory:
Had a torn labrum with a reasonable cartilage deficit on the acetabulum of my hip. Underwent labral reconstruction and microfracutre surgery to encourage growth of new cartilage. Was previously a reasonable runner but am now a stronger runner despite not being able to run very much (surgeon’s orders). Before surgery ran 3-4 times per week and could race at 7:45/mile. Since surgery, bike a lot, run minimally but race at 7:20-7:30/mile.
This year have two top 10 and one top 12 AG finishes in 70.3. Would like to go higher but not possible without a significant improvement in my run split. this in turn is not possible without drastically increasing my mileage. Not willing to blow out my hip for glory so AlterG seems like a good compromise. Hence my question.
They are amazing… but so expensive that they are only worth it in a rehab style setting. They are popping up all over the place in outpatient PT gyms… perfect if you have a patient that has specific physician orders for 25% weight bearing etc…
If I had access to one would I train on it? Heck ya! But unless you are super rich, receive a doctors order for PT, or are a pro who has access to one, you likely won’t be able to use one.
Forgot to mention, I have access to one. A local rehab place has one and is signing up ‘members’ who, for $100/month get as much access to the device as they want, schedule permitting. (the devil may be in the details). They are capping members at 10 so should be easy enough to get access I would imagine.
Used it once during an open house at Orthopedic Rehabilitation Services, one of our team sponsors. It seemed really cool - takes a minute to get in the giant inflatable diaper, but once you’re in it was really neat to drop the gravity and run like a pro for a minute or two. I’d give it a shot.
I’ve used them with my patients, they are great tools both for rehab and for training. As mentioned, it is great to allow training while observing proper weight bearing precautions but it can also be used as a fee-for-service training tool. If you have access then I would give it a shot. $100 a month for unlimited use is not a bad deal at all.
I will say that I used it for some long runs while I was in the city and I actually didn’t find it very comfortable. I’m not exactly a power forward and have a shorter torso, so the only way to prevent my arms from hitting the frame was to hold a constant “high guard” and my shoulders got tired pretty quickly. Other than that, the sensation was novel at first but got used to it and appreciated the time spent in the tutu.
Yes, I use one at M2 in San Francisco. I have come back from injury on it as a lot of folks who train at the studio. Started at 65% bw for 10 minutes at snail’s pace and am now running well.
I continue to use for higher mileage weeks or higher intensity workouts when I don’t have the pop. Can’t recommend it enough to return from injury and supplement bigger efforts to keep the train moving.
Forgot to mention, I have access to one. A local rehab place has one and is signing up ‘members’ who, for $100/month get as much access to the device as they want, schedule permitting. (the devil may be in the details). They are capping members at 10 so should be easy enough to get access I would imagine.
Jump on it. I used one a few times this year when I had a calf strain. Loved it. Would be a great option to increase mileage w/o the stress of full impacts.