What Is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill?
The AlterG is a state-of-the-art treadmill that reduces the amount of body weight your lower extremities have to support. By creating a gentle, pressurized “unweighting” environment around your lower body, it allows you to move naturally — but with significantly less stress on your knees, hips, ankles, and spine.
Many patients describe it as “walking on air” — enjoying normal gait and motion while eliminating the pain that typically limits their mobility.
Benefits of Anti-Gravity Training
Patients and athletes use the AlterG for many reasons, including:
- Walk or run with less pain during rehab
- Protect healing tissues after orthopedic surgery
- Safely build strength and endurance without overloading joints
- Improve balance and gait quality with full visual control
- Increase training volume while reducing injury risk
- Maintain fitness during periods of restricted weight-bearing
- Accelerate recovery after sprains, fractures, or overuse injuries
The AlterG is especially helpful for conditions such as arthritis, stress fractures, post-operative joint rehab, tendon injuries, and chronic lower-extremity pain.
Who Can Benefit From the AlterG?
The Anti-Gravity Treadmill is ideal for:
- Post-surgical knee, hip, ankle, or foot patients
- Individuals recovering from fractures or lower-extremity injuries
- Patients with arthritis or chronic joint pain
- Runners and athletes managing overuse injuries
- Older adults who need a safer environment for walking or gait training
- Anyone working to regain mobility, confidence, or endurance
Our physical therapists tailor every AlterG session to your tolerance, comfort, and goals.
Why Train on the AlterG at Bluegrass Orthopaedics?
- Integrated PT & Rehab Programs — every session is guided by licensed physical therapists who understand your diagnosis, surgical protocol, or athletic goals.
- Safe Progression of Weight-Bearing — ideal after joint surgery (ACL, meniscus, hip, ankle, foot) or spine procedures.
- Performance-Enhancement Capabilities — used by competitive athletes to increase mileage, speed, and form without added joint stress.
- Comfortable, Supportive Environment — the pressurized chamber offers stability and confidence, especially for patients nervous about pain or falling.
- Cutting-Edge Technology Close to Home — AlterG systems are not widely available; BGO is proud to offer this advanced equipment to patients across Central Kentucky.
What to Expect During an AlterG Session
- You’ll wear specialized neoprene shorts that zip into the AlterG chamber.
- Once sealed, the system calculates your body weight and gently lifts you to your selected “unweighting” level.
- Your therapist will guide you through walking, jogging, gait training, strength intervals, or return-to-run progressions.
- Most sessions last 15–30 minutes, depending on your rehab plan.
Many patients experience immediate relief and improved confidence with movement.
Schedule an AlterG Session
If you’re recovering from injury, preparing for surgery, returning to sport, or simply looking for a safer way to stay active, the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be a transformative part of your rehabilitation.
Contact your local Bluegrass Orthopaedics Physical Therapy center to learn more or schedule your first session.