What in the world is the Alter-G Treadmill? The Alter-G treadmill is an exercise contraption that makes you look like a slacker. No, I get it, it was designed and developed by NASA to simulate the feeling of running on the Moon or something, but why would anyone want to use the Alter-G treadmill at the gym?

The Alter-G treadmill allows you to reduce your weight by a certain percentage. For example, you can reduce your weight by 30 percent, by 50 percent or you can go as high as 99 percent, which is very useful if you are recovering from an injury and need to take the load off your joints.

So, the question is: Aside from physical therapy, should you use the Alter-G treadmill if you are overweight? How about regular exercise, is it a good idea to use this device if you are not overweight and just want to run on a treadmill?

Some would argue that the Alter-G treadmill should be used by anyone who usually uses a regular treadmill. You can exercise longer and more often without worrying about the wear and tear on joints, right? It sounds good, but if you are healthy, you do not want to do that. Why not? Because – assuming you do not overtrain, and assuming you wear proper running shoes – running or walking can actually make your joints stronger.

The bottom line on the Alter-G treadmill It is a very useful device for those who need physical therapy, and it is great for someone who is extremely overweight and having trouble walking. If you are healthy, try it, it is a lot of fun, but I would not run on it consistently, it is not a replacement for a regular treadmill.