I just had the best workout of my life. Many of us fantasize about having more training time, having the cool gadgets that the pros have and planning how we be faster, stronger and more competitive. Yesterday in NYC one of my dreams came true; the ability to train on the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill, just like Paula Radcliffe, who owns two of the $75,000 machines, Dathan Ritzenhein and Kara Goucher.
Prior to finding Barry Heyden, Former Director of Fitness and Conditioning for the New York Mets and founder of Full Spectrum New York, I thought the Alter-G treadmills were only for the pros and if there were any available it would be wildly expensive. I did find one other machine at New York Hospital for Special Surgery’s Performance lab.It turns out the Barry spearheaded the development of the hospitals Performance Center and the training for the Alter-G. Any individual can work out at the hospital but it is expensive, $350 for the initial consultation and $100 an hour. I do not see myself running on theirs any time soon. However Barry is making his very accessible to a wide range of people where you can buy a 10 hour package for only $450. At $45 an hour that is the same a a cheap Chinatown massage and less than one hour with the dog walker. Save all that mental health therapy money you have been spending because your injured and invest it in training on this thing. You can run even with a stress fracture or in Radcliffe’s case after bunion surgery.
My reason for training on this is to get my fitness back faster after breaking my foot 12 weeks ago. I had been pool running but felt myself getting slower and slower. My return to land running is difficult and I hate running on a treadmill. But the G-trainer is built around a Woodway Treadmill which makes gym treadmills feel like caveman tools. It feels fantastic both forward and backward.
I also want to do overspeed training. The G-trainer is the perfect tool for overspeed training. As the individual decreases their weight they’re able to increase their speed beyond what they could normally do at full weight. They are able to run at a faster turnover rate increasing their body’s familiarity with higher speeds. The muscle memory from these increased speed sessions increases the overall speed potential of the individual when at full body weight. The G-Trainer’s broad variable range for weight, speed, and incline allows people to customize their workout session to their specific needs. After warming up I was able to run a 5:20 mile pace, something I have never done on land. It felt like I was running really fast on the track. I was light on my feet yet felt the full extension of my legs and the balls of my feet hitting the ground and pawing back. I had such a nice back kick that I could feel my foot coming to my butt. It was fast but always in total control.
I can’t say enough good things about this treadmill and Barry who is a super nice guy and truly a brilliant and gifted trainer. He gave me a few $50 vouchers that I can give out to friends so if you are in NYC and want to try this for free let me know. My plan is to train at Barry’s 2-3 days a week though the end of year to increase endurance, then use it for stamina training in preparation for the Boston Marathon in April.
If you make an appointment with Barry directly tell him Hilary sent you and if you want a free voucher let me know I will be in Central Park this Saturday morning.
Happy running.
Very cool Hilary! I am so glad you enjoyed working out on the AlterG. We’re working on getting more AlterG’s into physical therapy and athletic training settings so more folks like you can have access to them when they need it. Good luck with your rehab and getting back into form.
Gabe Griego
VP Marketing
AlterG
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Woody I am happy you asked that questions. I am at Long Island University talking with Dr. David Spierer head of the Sports Science Department. We are discussing a research project that could provide some answers. I am curious, what specifically would you like to know?
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Where’s the science? Nice to know the marketing guy thinks it’s good for PT. But where’s the director of science and all the studies? They’ve been around since 2005 and nothing but wildly speculative claims and anecdotal evidence. Nice claims, prove it.
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did some investigating. Alter-g gets medical cert in February 2008, but doesn’t get ISO cert until December 2008. Marketing guy, care to explain?
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Hilary, congrats on finding an alter-g in NYC and having success with it. Just to let you know, there is another alter-g in NYC for slightly cheaper, at http://www.fusion-pt.com/. I have used both locations.
I started on the alter-g just 3.9 weeks after being diagnosed with a 3rd metatarsal stress fracture. After 2 weeks on the alter-g, I transitioned off and was up to 60+ miles a week on solid ground after just a month. I still try to keep 10% of my mileage each week on the alter-g. Your plan to do 2-3 days/week on the machine is a great idea.
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I am glad your rehab went so fast. I am preparing a new post as I was running on the Alter-G at 50% body weight after a day of 30 minutes on the ground, my first back to back in 14 weeks) and guess what? I broke my second metatarsal while on the alter-g! Not good at all. I am back in the boot.
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Adventureartist… see? Maybe the marketing guy can explain, since he’s clearly an expert on PT what the scientifically validated protocols are for the use and application of the Alter-G? Any facts that support when and how you use it? Any facts on whether or not it is effective for proprioception retraining? Wild claims and anecdotal evidence do not qualify as science. And, the fact that they’ve sold these things both for 11 months without the required and appropriate certifications, and for 4 years without any science to back these claims up is scary.
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Woody you’re wrong, they have case studies on their web site. None of them are from MD’s, just PT’s, but still. I’m not so sure what the product is though. The pictures on their web site and the brochure all look different. But they got an MD on staff so eventually you’d think they’ll have “real science” as you put it.
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I have the ALterG available for best rates in NYC at fullspectrumnewyork.com
$30 for an hour.
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Have the new AlterG. Come in for free session. Offering Hypoxico High Altitude Yraining as well.
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Looking back at all the comments years back the AlterG is helping so many people in the world now. It is here to stay. Pro sports teams, colleges, pro runners, MDs and PTs, weightloss, worldwide are amazed at the outcomes.
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