John Taylor III, a long time Capital Striders members, writes a guest article on his experience with Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill: Do you have an injury that is preventing you from doing the appropriate training to prepare for an upcoming race or competition?  Do you feel that you’re getting out of shape waiting for an injury to heal? Over the years I’ve heard countless people say that they have given up running because of miscellaneous ailments.

On the bus to last year’s Boston Marathon I sat next to another runner who mentioned that he had an injury that prevented him from his normal training routine. Given the fact that running Boston was very important to him he did most of his training on the Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill®.

I had been dealing with Plantar Fasciitis around the time I was training (attempting to train) for this year’s Boston Marathon. After running Boston I went in for one last Physical Therapy treatment for my Plantar Fasciitis. My Physical Therapist, Ginni Peterson said that Iowa Health Outpatient Therapy West was looking at purchasing that very same Anti-Gravity Treadmill that the fellow Boston Marathon runner had used to prepare him for his big race.

After running 20 miles one Saturday morning I set up an appointment to test out this machine. I’m limping in due to just running 20 miles so I felt this would be a perfect time to test the Anti-Gravity Treadmill. After being fitted and adjusting my weight to 50% of my actual weight I started running. I was SHOCKED by what happened. All of a sudden I felt like I was fresh and had not run at all that day.

Below you will find a summary of this revolutionary machine.

The world’s best athletes and sports teams consider the Anti-Gravity Treadmill an essential part of their athletic conditioning and rehabilitation programs

  • Strengthens and improves coordination of muscles, which in turn protects surrounding joints.
  • Promotes the full range of motion while minimizing stress during athletic conditioning.
  • Enables injured athletes to maximize their fitness retention as they recover.

The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill® generates a powerful lifting force using Advanced Differential Air Pressure Technology (ADAPT). The athlete wears neoprene shorts and zips into a pressurized, airtight enclosure which calibrates to their exact body weight. With an easy to use control panel the athlete can change his/her weight, reducing it by as much as 80% in precise 1% increments.

Trainers and coaches have found the Alter-G to be a ground-breaking training tool that is changing how athletes train. Injured athletes can recover free of interference from water or tethers which transitions seamlessly back to full weight bearing during sports rehabilitation training programs. Until now, there has not been an effective means for athletes to preserve high fitness levels while they are injured. The Alter-G permits injured athletes to reach the aerobic intensity of their regular workouts while lowering the impact on their injured body during training.

Alter-G’s performance treadmill is a highly effective athletic conditioning tool for both recreational and competitive athletes by allowing the user to train longer, run faster, gain additional strength, and enhance cardiovascular performance while minimizing impact and stress on their joints.

Another added feature of the Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill® is that you can see live video of your running form on the television screen in front of you. If you prefer you can also watch television or perhaps bring in your own DVD.

The Iowa Health Outpatient Therapy West location at 6001 WestownParkway, Suite 205 in West Des Moines would be happy to demonstrate this new revolutionary Treadmill. Call (515) 224-5225 to schedule an appointment. Many folks have purchased a Multi Visit Punch Card (10-30minute sessions) for $80. The only additional expense would be the $10 Initial visit and Instruction and to either purchase the special Alter-G shorts for $75 or rent a pair for $6 per visit. After every use the rented shorts must be dry-cleaned.

I trust that you will be amazed. I was!

John W. Taylor III

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