The Gym Cheltenham

3 recommendations and reviews from 1 person

Recommendations from Dan F.

• Referral from February 25, 2015
  

  Mary M. asked:

  Any personal trainers in Gloucester?

  

  Dan F. replied:

  Thought you might like this article AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill - Speed work, rehab and more Have you heard about the treadmill that can make you weightless? Nope it’s not a magic diet pill, but for many injured athletes, amputees and military vets it has become one of the best recovery tools available. It allows anyone with an injury to resume or continue activity at their previous level of intensity with reduced impact to hips, knees and ankles. “The Alter G is the most significant advance in training equipment for Rehab in the last half century.” ''A few months ago when my knee pain began, I had a chance to test one out and learn more about this fancy, and very expensive, machine. I was literally swept off my feet (come on that’s funny!) so I wanted to share more about this tool to see if it’s right for your rehab, training or even speed work! HOW IT CAME ABOUT In the 90’s, NASA began looking for a pressurized method that would allow astronauts to maintain fitness during space missions because without the movement they were at risk for bone mass and muscle loss. The result was the anti-gravity treadmill, now sold as the AlterG. At a cost of £35,000 to £55,000 the Alter G is found in some gyms, hospitals, physios or University sports facilities, as opposed to say my home gym. Due to the location in my local personal training gym, many patients are able to use the machine as part of a normal visit to a personal training session. A local trainer here in Cheltenham allows patients to purchase sessions. WHO USES THE ALTER G? During a test run of the treadmill, I learned some great information from Dan about the wide variety of uses for the AlterG: Amputees learning to move more quickly on their new limb Injured soldiers utilize it during rehabilitation Seniors needing to work on strength and balance Assists people with traumatic brain injuries in relearning gait Elite athletes looking to increase foot turnover without the impact Athletes returning from certain injuries or wanting to increase workouts with less impact The AlterG is a chance to practice increased walking speed or running without the fear of falling, which can be an issue for seniors and new amputees. It allows them to practice the movements and slowly gain confidence in their ability to move, by increasing the body weight on the treadmill until they are at 100%. HOW DOES IT WORK? AlterG’s treadmill looks like something from the future…a vacuum sealed bubble encompassing your lower body and the treadmill belt. After getting a quick once over of the machine, Dan will walk you through the set up process. Since I was new to the machine they gave me a pair of tight neoprene shorts, which you pull up right over your shorts (wear spandex!). The shorts have small skirt around the waist and after stepping in to the center of the machine you pull up the bars which have the opposite size of a zipper. Once zipped, you’ve completed the “bubble”, aka the seal which will now allow you to see what it’s like to run with less and less gravity! The treadmill measures your weight (but doesn’t shout it to the world, no worries) and then using this information the machine calibrates what is 100% pressure for your body. In other words, normal running. Depending upon your reason for using the machine, you might start out with a walk at 100% or go immediately to a reduce weight feeling by lower the percentage. At 20% the machine is fully supporting your body and your legs mostly feel like they are free flying through the air. The machine can make you feel up to 80 percent lighter—a basic example would be someone who weighs 100 kg, could feel as light as 20 kg on the treadmill. The the machine uses “unweighting technology” to remove pressure from your body and make it feel as though you are running on air. Using controls similar to incline, you can decrease the amount of weight on your body. You don’t feel like the machine is raising and lowering you, rather you notice the weight on your feet becoming more or less. Due to the neoprene shorts, you’re going to work up a hot sweat too! Great to work on my 'thigh gap'! BENEFITS OF WEIGHTLESS RUNNING I loved hearing some of the amazing stories Dan was able to share with me about patients who returned to a complete active life after being able to use this machine post injury. On the other end of the spectrum are the elite athletes who have begun to gravitate (pun intended) to the AlterG. For the elite endurance runner a frequent concern is the impact of pounding the pavement for so many miles every single week. This machine allows them to maintain mileage on easy runs with a slight relief on their joints. - It was reported in 2011 that Paula Radcliffe used her own and when Mo Farah used it in 2012 to take double gold at the Olympics. 'Mature' Pro Footballers looking to increase their speed have found this tool allows them to replicate a much faster leg turn over for a longer period because it doesn’t stress their heart as heavily And Pro Rugby players returning from injury are able to more quickly return to their old levels of fitness by starting with workouts on the AlterG. Athletes can practice a better range of motion by reducing body weight, the legs will naturally extend farther. Practicing better alignment and technique without fear of injury. So would do I use it? Well, doing my Long Low Heart Rate training is fab and it's phenomenal to work on speed here and see if I could still keep my rate lower due to the ease of the movement. You should all try it...." www.alterg.eu www.danfiveypersonaltraining.co.uk 07709169997 http://www.itv.com/news/west/update/2013-08-15/full-report-nasa-technology-used-for-exercise/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/video-1078405/Stroke-patient-uses-AlterG-help-rehabilitation.html

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• Referral from January 26, 2014
  

  Danielle S. asked:

  Need a personal trainer who will motivate me & drag me out of bed if needs be!!!!!! Any recommendations? My motivation has hit a brick wall.

  

  Dan F. replied:

  Hi Danielle have a look at my site www.danfiveypersonaltraining.co.uk

  

  Dan F. replied:

  You can have a free session in my place. www.thegymcheltenham.co.uk

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