RunningAHEAD - Topic: Weightless running

jeffdonahue

posted: 4/21/2009 at 8:33 AM

I am going to get a massage today and on the website for the place I am going to (sportsspa in Woburn, MA) they have a "weightless running" treadmill (Alter-G) and I was wondering what the benefits of it might be. Anyone have any insight or information on this. I really only ask because I thought it was kind of ridiculous at first, but then saw a clip of Kara Goucher using one yesterday during the marathon coverage.

debbiemc19

posted: 4/21/2009 at 8:50 AM

My understanding is that it allows you to get in miles without as much impact/pounding on the body. Similar to the idea of pool running, except that it is much closer to actual running form.

mamaofthree

Best Present Ever

posted: 4/21/2009 at 9:07 AM

Yes,who ran on one while rehabbing a stress fracture? Paula Radcliffe maybe? I thought it looked awesome. Kind of like pool running, except that you are still turning your legs over as fast.

bap

posted: 4/24/2009 at 12:06 PM

Quote from mamaofthree on 4/21/2009 at 9:07 AM:

Yes,who ran on one while rehabbing a stress fracture? Paula Radcliffe maybe? I thought it looked awesome. Kind of like pool running, except that you are still turning your legs over as fast.

Maybe it was Deana Kastor.

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bach13

posted: 4/24/2009 at 12:08 PM

They had one of these at the Chicago Marathon expo last year. My friend ran on it, but I didn't. The guy running the booth said that it cost some ungodly amount of money...I thought it was like 75 grand or something. I was a little skeptical.

2010 Goals: Run 1500 miles Sub 22 minute 5K Sub 37 minute 8K Sub 1:45 HM Complete a marathon

jeffdonahue

posted: 4/24/2009 at 12:46 PM

Quote from bach13 on 4/24/2009 at 12:08 PM:

They had one of these at the Chicago Marathon expo last year. My friend ran on it, but I didn't. The guy running the booth said that it cost some ungodly amount of money...I thought it was like 75 grand or something. I was a little skeptical.

I think it is around $55,000 to buy one. The place I went to had one and they were charging around a dollar a minute to rent time on it (slight discount for longer sessions, but it was still like $40/hr). Wow.

alan fletcher

posted: 4/24/2009 at 12:55 PM

sure, $40/hour sounds like a lot - but if you weigh less, you will wear your shoes out slower, so you can subtract some shoe price from that $40..... assume you get 400 miles from a pair of shoes, and assume you run 8 miles on the alter-g in your $40 hour. and assume the shoe wear is reduced 50% when running this way. from my calcs, as long as your shoes cost $4,000 a pair, you will break even. i'm sold.

- the grisly details http://alansmiles.blogspot.com

Weightless running (Read 601 times)