Yes, the title DOES say anti-gravity! When I was first invited to try out this new trend, I was both doubtful and excited. Doubtful ‘coz I really had no idea what to expect and was sort of thinking, “how can a treadmill be effective if there’s no gravity to work on?” and “seriously? anti-gravity? weh?” (haha) Then again, I was excited ‘coz of exactly that… ANTI-GRAVITY? This I gotta see!
Last week, I visited Kinetics Advance Physiotherapy to try out their new anti-gravity treadmill. Other than the treadmill itself, the center also has several workout equipment to help those in need of therapy or more exercise. According to clinical supervisor, Edman Merino, they opened Kinetics Advance Physiotherapy to help those who just came from injury or other therapy programs slowly transition back into the gym. Through this, they are still able to guide you and assist you in a much safer environment, lessening the risk of you spiraling back to your previous injury.
In line with the whole idea of Kinetics Advance Physiotherapy, they launched the country’s first AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill last November 8. Though the idea itself already sounds pretty cool and exciting, there’s more to this treadmill than just the show.
The plastic thing around the treadmill is called the cockpit. It is used to contain the pressure inside the treadmill. Hence, a specialized pair of shorts are used that are zipped unto the cockpit. This anti-gravity treadmill uses differential pressure technology which was developed by NASA. This basically means that in order to achieve a lighter weight, there has to be more pressure inside the cockpit and less outside.
As you step in, the machine would calibrate your weight and the space occupied in order to properly adjust.
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Developed parallel to the technology used by NASA to train astronauts, the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill gives its users the opportunity to run and train without the pain. This is made possible through its unweighting technology, which precisely reduces one’s weight up to 80% while walking or running with the machine – something that resembles the feeling of walking on the moon. WOW!
I didn’t believe it at first, but the moment I stepped OFF the treadmill and went back to my original weight, everything just suddenly felt so HEAVY! I could barely stand up as I really felt the gravity just pulling me down.
The Anti-Gravity Treadmill is FDA cleared for:
- Rehabilitation following injury or surgery of the lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle or foot)
- Rehabilitation after total joint replacement
- Gait training in neurologic patients
- Strengthening and conditioning in older patients
- Weight control and reduction
- Sport specific conditioning programs
- Aerobic conditioning
Recommended for runners/athletes recovering from injuries
When I was told I’d be able to run minus the gravity, my initial thoughts were, “yeah right?” In fact, even as I was already running with 80% less my weight, I was still a little bit doubtful of what was happening. I was even thinking, how is this good exercise if there’s no gravity pulling me down? But as I ran, I noticed my legs were still pushing and I was still sweating. The only difference was my knees weren’t pounding as hard – which is something VERY important to runners. Prior to trying out the treadmill, I ran 15 kilometers in Nuvali, so my knees were already a bit painful as I had a minor injury. I thought I wouldn’t last 2 minutes on the treadmill.
Recognized by specialist abroad as an integral of the world’s best athletes’ training and rehabilitation, this new tool aims to revolutionize how Philippine sportsmen train – even while recovering from injuries.
“I started prescribing AlterG’s partial weight bearing therapy and now my ACL patients are jogging earlier than ever. The machine makes it easier and less painful for my patients to begin closed kinetic chain movement faster after surgery,” said Dr. Charles Preston, MD, Muir Orthopedic Specialist from Walnut Creek, CA.
Recommended for overweight runners/athletes
During my visit, Sir Edman also explained how running on the AlterG is most effective not only for those healing from an injury but also those who may be overweight. You see, when overweight, running can be difficult as our legs need to work harder to lift us up. More than just the leg muscles, the knees can take quite a beating as well. Hence, even before the target heart rate is reached, one may already be tired and exhausted because of the extra weight. Running on this anti-gravity treadmill allows you to lower your weight up to 80%! So you’re able to run lighter and reach your target heart rate quicker.
Notice how Philippe’s feet are almost airborne!
The advantage of the AlterG treadmill for those undergoing rehab is that it allows users to really stimulate a run. Unlike other rehab techniques that only give you the feeling of running, the AlterG treadmill will have you do the actual act. The same muscles are used, hence allowing you to still train and exercise these muscle groups.
Recommended to help correct running form or foot stride
There are also cameras around the treadmill that allow you and your therapist to see how you run. This helps us identify weak muscles or possible errors in running that lead to injury. Through this, I was able to properly see how awkwardly I sometimes ran. Moreover, I realized that I often landed on my heel which could be the reason why my knees are now starting to hurt. According to Sir Edman, a variety of exercises may be done to correct these mistakes. Though they can be done with different tools and equipment, using the AlterG treadmill would definitely make it faster and easier to asses and correct.
TV screen right in front so you can see how you run and correct it on the spot
Recommended to increase speed
Last but not least, the AlterG Anti-Gravity treadmill may also be used to increase speed. When running on pavement and doing speed trainings, we immediately get tired and often end up training for a shorter period of time. Using the AlterG Anti-Gravity treadmill, you would barely even notice how fast you were already going. Through this, our body slowly gets used to the pace and it gets easier for us to run faster when back on land.
Kinetics Advance Physiotherapy
AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
11th Floor Unit 1102, 20th Drive Corporate Center, 20th Drive Lot 14 Block,
Mckinley Business Park, Fort BGC Taguig
