Most people never get the chance to run without gravity. For someone recovering from knee surgery, managing Parkinson’s disease, or carrying a long-term joint condition, that possibility sounds almost too good to be true. The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill makes it a clinical reality, and Premier Clinic in Blackburn is one of the only rehabilitation centres in Lancashire offering it.
If you have been searching for an anti-gravity treadmill near you, or wondering whether the AlterG treadmill could help your specific condition, this guide explains everything you need to know, from the science behind the technology to exactly who benefits and what to expect from your first session.
What Is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill?
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is a specialist rehabilitation device that uses technology originally developed by NASA. It works by encasing the lower half of the body in a pressurised air chamber, which gently lifts the user and reduces the gravitational force they experience during walking or running.
Unlike a standard treadmill, where you carry 100% of your body weight with every stride, the AlterG allows clinicians to reduce your effective body weight in precise one-percent increments, all the way down to just 20% of your actual weight. That means a patient who weighs 80kg could exercise as if they weighed just 16kg, completely changing what is possible during recovery.
The NASA Technology Behind the AlterG
The underlying principle is called Differential Air Pressure (DAP). A sealed, airtight skirt zips around the user’s waist and lower body. Air is then pumped into the chamber, creating an upward force that counteracts gravity. The result is smooth, natural walking or running movement with dramatically reduced mechanical load on the joints, muscles, and healing tissue.
The AlterG was originally developed to help NASA astronauts exercise in microgravity during long-duration space missions. It was later adapted for clinical rehabilitation and is now used by professional sports teams, university hospitals, and specialist clinics worldwide. You can read more about the clinical evidence base at AlterG’s official research summary.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in ScienceDirect, drawing on 24 clinical trials and 682 patients, found that anti-gravity treadmill training produced significant improvements in balance and gait speed in patients with neuromuscular conditions.
How Is It Different From a Hydrotherapy Treadmill?
Both hydrotherapy and AlterG aim to reduce the load on the body during rehabilitation, but they work very differently. Hydrotherapy uses water buoyancy to reduce weight, which also adds water resistance to movement. The AlterG uses air, which means there is no resistance beyond what is naturally generated by the user’s own movement. This allows for a more natural gait pattern and makes it far easier to use real-time video feedback and gait analysis during sessions.
Comparison: AlterG vs Standard Treadmill vs Hydrotherapy
| Feature | AlterG Anti-Gravity | Standard Treadmill | Hydrotherapy Treadmill |
| Weight reduction possible? | Yes — down to 20% of body weight | No — full body weight only | Yes — buoyancy varies |
| Natural gait maintained? | Yes — air support is unobtrusive | Yes — at full load | Partial — water resistance alters gait |
| Precise increment control? | Yes — 1% increments | No | No |
| Real-time gait monitoring? | Yes — built-in analytics | No | Limited |
| Suitable post-surgery? | Yes — early weight-bearing | No — too much load | Sometimes |
| No water or tethers? | Yes | Yes | No — requires pool/equipment |
| Available in Blackburn? | Yes — at Premier Clinic | Widely available | Limited specialist centres |
Who Benefits From the AlterG Treadmill? Seven Key Patient Groups
The AlterG is not a single-purpose piece of equipment. At Premier Clinic Blackburn, it is used across a broad range of patient needs. Here is a detailed breakdown of who benefits most and why.
- Post-Surgery Rehabilitation Patients
After surgery on the knee, hip, ankle, or foot, clinicians typically prescribe a gradual return to weight-bearing. Too much load too soon risks re-injury. Too little movement slows recovery and increases muscle atrophy. The AlterG solves this by allowing precise, controlled weight-bearing from day one of rehabilitation.
Research confirms that patients recovering from procedures such as ACL reconstruction, total knee replacement, and hip replacement benefit significantly from early partial weight-bearing walking, which is a key function the AlterG enables. Our physiotherapy team in Blackburn designs programmes that integrate AlterG sessions alongside hands-on treatment for the fastest possible return to normal activity.
- Neurological Condition Management
For patients living with Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, stroke, or multiple sclerosis, maintaining safe, confident movement is a daily challenge. The AlterG creates an environment where patients can practise walking and running with reduced fall risk, allowing longer and more therapeutically effective sessions than would be possible at full body weight.
A published clinical study in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that body weight-supported high-intensity locomotor training on an anti-gravity treadmill improved clinical status, quality of life, and walking capacity significantly in patients with Parkinson’s disease, with a 10.6% increase in mean walking distance after just eight weeks.
At Premier Clinic, our dedicated AlterG Neuro Rehab Programme is designed specifically for patients with neurological conditions, with bespoke session plans and progress tracking built in.
- Sports Injury Recovery and Athletic Rehabilitation
The AlterG is used by professional sports teams and elite athletic programmes worldwide for one clear reason: it allows injured athletes to maintain cardiovascular fitness and neuromuscular conditioning while their injury heals. Running at 50% body weight on the AlterG generates similar aerobic demands to full weight-bearing exercise, without the mechanical stress on the injured area. Our sports injury and massage team regularly combines AlterG sessions with hands-on sports therapy for footballers, runners, and gym athletes.
Whether you are recovering from a hamstring tear, a stress fracture, a plantar fascia rupture, or a ligament injury, the AlterG allows structured return-to-running protocols that would be impossible on a standard treadmill.
- Weight Loss and Metabolic Health
For patients who carry excess weight, even gentle exercise can be painful on the knees, hips, and feet. This creates a difficult cycle: the need to exercise is clear, but exercise itself causes pain that prevents compliance. The AlterG breaks this cycle.
By reducing effective body weight by up to 80%, the AlterG makes walking and jogging accessible, sustainable, and pain-free for patients who would otherwise struggle to maintain an exercise programme. At Premier Clinic, AlterG weight-loss sessions can be built into a wider plan involving our personal training service for a fully supported and clinically supervised approach to fat loss and metabolic health.
- Older Adults Maintaining Mobility and Independence
Maintaining the ability to walk confidently and safely is one of the most important factors in healthy ageing. For older patients who experience joint pain, balance difficulties, or reduced confidence in their movement, the AlterG provides a safe, supported environment to rebuild strength and coordination.
Because the risk of falling is eliminated inside the AlterG chamber, older adults can exercise with a confidence they may not have felt for years. This is particularly valuable for patients managing osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or those in recovery following a fall.
- Spinal Injuries and Back Pain Rehabilitation
Patients managing spinal injuries, disc herniations, or chronic back pain often find that even walking aggravates their symptoms due to the axial load placed on the spine. Reducing effective body weight on the AlterG reduces spinal compression during movement, allowing patients to achieve therapeutic gait without pain. This is often used alongside our physiotherapy and rehabilitation services as part of a multidisciplinary recovery plan.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation and General Deconditioning
Patients recovering from cardiac events, long periods of bed rest, or prolonged illness often struggle to return to aerobic exercise safely. The AlterG allows heart rate to be elevated therapeutically while minimising the mechanical stress on a body that is not yet fully conditioned. This makes it particularly useful in cardiac rehabilitation programmes and for patients rebuilding fitness after serious illness.
Conditions the AlterG Can Help With at Premier Clinic Blackburn
The following table gives a comprehensive overview of the conditions and clinical goals for which the AlterG treadmill is used at Premier Clinic:
| Condition or Goal | How the AlterG Helps | Used Alongside |
| ACL reconstruction recovery | Early weight-bearing without overloading the graft | Physiotherapy, sports massage |
| Total knee replacement | Progressive load-bearing in controlled increments | Physiotherapy, rehabilitation programme |
| Hip replacement recovery | Safe gait retraining with reduced joint force | Physiotherapy, biomechanics review |
| Parkinson’s disease | Improved gait speed, balance, and confidence | Neuro rehab programme |
| Stroke rehabilitation | Assisted walking to retrain motor pathways | Physiotherapy, rehabilitation programme |
| Cerebral palsy | Gait training and neuromuscular re-education | Specialist rehabilitation |
| Plantar fasciitis | Running rehabilitation with reduced plantar load | Podiatry, shockwave therapy |
| Ankle and Achilles injuries | Weight-bearing exercise during tendon healing | Physiotherapy, sports injury |
| Stress fractures | Cardiovascular maintenance during bone healing | Sports injury, podiatry |
| Spinal disc injury | Axial load reduction during therapeutic walking | Physiotherapy, rehabilitation |
| Obesity and joint pain | Aerobic exercise without painful loading | Personal training, weight-loss programme |
| Osteoarthritis | Joint-friendly movement and strengthening | Biomechanics and orthotics |
| Cardiac rehabilitation | Safe aerobic conditioning post-event | Private GP, rehabilitation |
| General deconditioning | Gradual return to fitness and mobility | Personal training, physiotherapy |
What to Expect at Your First AlterG Session at Premier Clinic
Initial Assessment
Before stepping onto the AlterG for the first time, every patient at Premier Clinic undergoes a thorough clinical assessment. This includes a detailed medical history, a review of any recent investigations or surgical notes, and a physical examination where appropriate. The purpose is to confirm that the AlterG is the right tool for your specific condition and to identify your starting parameters.
Fitting the AlterG Shorts
The AlterG uses a specialist pair of neoprene shorts with a zip seal around the waist. These are provided at the clinic and are an essential part of how the air chamber seals around the body. Patients change into these before stepping onto the platform and zipping into the machine.
Calibration and Your First Trial
Once zipped in, the machine calibrates to the patient’s body weight and the clinician sets the initial unweighting level. Most patients begin at a significant level of support, perhaps 60% to 80% of body weight, and are gradually progressed over subsequent sessions. You will be given a short trial during your first visit so that both you and your clinician can assess how the body responds to movement at reduced gravity.
Sessions and Programmes
Standard sessions at Premier Clinic are 30 minutes, which is the most common treatment duration for rehabilitation use. One-hour sessions are available for patients with specific training or weight-loss goals. Most patients complete an initial assessment alongside their first session, with follow-up sessions booked as part of a structured programme.
Full AlterG pricing and package details are available on our price list page. Sessions start from £55 for a single 30-minute use.
AlterG Treadmill Prices at Premier Clinic Blackburn
Premier Clinic offers transparent, upfront pricing for all AlterG services. The table below covers both standard rehabilitation use and the specialist neurological and weight-loss programme:
| AlterG Service | Price |
| Initial Assessment and Treatment Plan | From £55 |
| Initial Assessment + 30-Minute Session | From £75 |
| Single 30-Minute Session (follow-up) | From £55 |
| 1-Hour Session (Neuro Rehab / Weight Loss) | From £85 |
| 30-Minute Session — Neuro / Weight-Loss Programme | From £75 |
Payment is required in full at the time of booking. Premier Clinic accepts card payments and bank transfers. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for cancellations.
For complex cases or patients requiring a fully integrated rehabilitation package, bespoke programmes can be designed to combine AlterG sessions with physiotherapy, sports massage, or personal training at a package rate. Enquire by calling 01254 677341.
Why Choose Premier Clinic for Your AlterG Programme in Lancashire?
Premier Clinic is one of the only physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinics in Lancashire with an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill on site. This is not a piece of equipment you will find at a general gym or a standard NHS outpatient department. Its availability in Blackburn gives patients across Lancashire access to a level of rehabilitation technology that previously required travel to major city centres.
A Multidisciplinary Team Under One Roof
What sets Premier Clinic apart is the breadth of expertise available alongside the AlterG. Whether your recovery requires input from our physiotherapists, our podiatry and foot care specialists, our biomechanics and orthotics team, or our personal trainers, all of these services are available on the same site. This means your programme can evolve as you progress, without the need to be referred between multiple providers.
HCPC Registered Practitioners
All clinicians at Premier Clinic are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or the General Medical Council (GMC). This means your care is delivered to a regulated standard, with professional accountability. Premier Clinic is also a member of the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine and holds affiliations with the Royal College of Podiatry.
Flexible Appointments Including Saturday
Premier Clinic runs appointments Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. This makes it genuinely accessible for patients who cannot take time off work for weekday appointments, an important consideration when a course of treatment may involve multiple weekly sessions.
Located in Blackburn for Patients Across Lancashire
The clinic is based at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QS, with convenient access for patients travelling from Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston, and across the wider Lancashire area. Free parking is available on site.
AlterG Treadmill for Runners and Athletes in Blackburn
If you are a runner or a competitive athlete, the prospect of weeks or months off training due to injury is genuinely painful, not just physically but psychologically and competitively. The AlterG is one of the few rehabilitation tools that allows injured athletes to continue training at meaningful aerobic intensities throughout their recovery.
Maintaining Fitness During Injury
Research shows that running at 50% body weight on the AlterG generates cardiovascular demands comparable to running at full weight on a standard treadmill. This means that a runner sidelined with a stress fracture, a plantar fascia tear, or post-operative restrictions can continue to train aerobically, protect their base fitness, and maintain the neuromuscular patterns of running, all while the injury heals.
Structured Return-to-Running Protocols
Premier Clinic’s sports injury and physiotherapy team uses the AlterG as part of structured return-to-running protocols, gradually increasing the body weight percentage session by session as the patient’s strength and tolerance improves. This can be combined with shockwave and laser therapy for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and shin splints, where the combination of tissue healing and early functional loading produces faster and more durable outcomes than rest alone.
The AlterG is used by elite running programmes, professional football clubs, and Olympic training centres precisely because it eliminates the false choice between recovery and fitness maintenance.
AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill vs Other Rehabilitation Approaches
Patients often want to understand how the AlterG compares to other recovery options they may have encountered or been recommended. The table below provides a direct comparison:
| Approach | Gravity Reduction? | Natural Gait? | Cardiovascular Benefit? | Available at Premier Clinic? |
| AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill | Yes — precise 1% increments | Yes — fully natural | Yes — running intensity possible | Yes |
| Crutches / Rest | No reduction | No — gait altered | No | N/A |
| Hydrotherapy pool walking | Partial — buoyancy dependent | Altered by water resistance | Limited | No |
| Standard treadmill | None — full body weight | Yes — at full load | Yes | No |
| Cycling / static bike | N/A — seated | No — different movement | Yes | No |
| Shockwave therapy | N/A — treatment modality | N/A | No | Yes |
| Physiotherapy exercises | None unless assisted | Varies | Limited | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About the AlterG Treadmill in Blackburn
Q: What is an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill?
A: The AlterG is a specialist rehabilitation device that uses NASA-derived differential air pressure technology to reduce the amount of body weight a person bears during walking or running. It can reduce body weight to as little as 20% in precise 1% increments, allowing pain-free movement during recovery from injury, surgery, or long-term conditions.
Q: Who can use the AlterG treadmill at Premier Clinic Blackburn?
A: The AlterG is suitable for a wide range of patients: those recovering from lower limb surgery or sports injuries, people living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke survivors, patients managing arthritis or obesity, older adults working to maintain mobility, and athletes returning to training after injury. A clinical assessment is carried out before your first session to confirm suitability.
Q: How much does an AlterG session cost at Premier Clinic?
A: An AlterG initial assessment and 30-minute session starts from £75. Single 30-minute follow-up sessions are available from £55 and one-hour sessions from £85. Bespoke packages for neurological rehabilitation and weight-loss programmes are also offered. Contact the team on 01254 677341 for a tailored programme quote.
Q: Is the AlterG treadmill the same as a water treadmill?
A: No. The AlterG uses differential air pressure, not water, to support the body. This means you walk or run in your natural gait pattern without submersion, restrictive swimwear, or water resistance. The AlterG allows far more precise weight-bearing increments than aquatic alternatives and is generally more comfortable for post-surgical patients.
Q: How is the AlterG different from a standard treadmill?
A: A standard treadmill requires you to bear your full body weight with every stride. The AlterG encases the lower body in an air pressure chamber, reducing your effective body weight by up to 80%. This dramatically lowers the impact on joints, bones, and healing tissue, making it possible to begin rehabilitative exercise far earlier than you safely could on a conventional treadmill.
Q: Does Premier Clinic offer AlterG programmes for weight loss?
A: Yes. Premier Clinic offers a dedicated AlterG Neuro Rehab and Weight-Loss Programme. The reduced gravity environment makes cardiovascular exercise accessible to patients who experience pain or difficulty exercising at full body weight, including those managing obesity, arthritis, or long-term joint problems. Sessions can be incorporated into a wider programme with our physiotherapy and personal training team.
Q: Where is Premier Clinic and how do I book an AlterG session?
A: Premier Clinic is located at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QS. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Call 01254 677341, email info@premier-clinic.co.uk, or submit an online appointment request to book.
Book Your AlterG Assessment at Premier Clinic Blackburn
If you have been looking for an anti-gravity treadmill near you in Lancashire, Premier Clinic offers one of the only accessible, clinically supervised AlterG programmes in the region. Whether you are in the early stages of post-surgical recovery, managing a neurological condition, working to lose weight, or trying to maintain fitness during a sports injury, an AlterG programme at Premier Clinic could transform what is possible for you.
The first step is a brief assessment to understand your specific goals and confirm the right approach. From there, our team will design a programme around your needs, your timeline, and your life.
Call us on 01254 677341 to speak to our team today, or visit our appointment request page to book your initial AlterG assessment. We are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm at 11 Cunningham Court, Lions Drive, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QS.
You can also explore the full range of services available at Premier Clinic, including our physiotherapy service, sports injury and massage, rehabilitation programmes, and biomechanics and gait analysis.
