A direct comparison of the only two air pressure treadmills on the market and why the Boost 2 Microgravity Treadmill™ reigns supreme.
While both Boost and AlterG® Treadmills are based on the same concept of air pressure technology, the new Boost 2 has several unique features and enhancements that make it the best choice for achieving your training, performance, or rehabilitation goals and providing a superior experience overall.
Height Adjustment
The Boost 2 features a precision height adjustment system using a motorized lift mechanism that adjusts precisely and automatically based on user height. There is no manual lifting or guesswork involved, resulting in safe, quick, and easy entry and exit. The Boost’s proprietary, patent-pending algorithms guarantee consistency from session to session and eliminate a common source of user error.
AlterG® treadmills have a manual height-setting process, requiring lifting and guesswork to determine where to set the bar. In fact, the bar height can have a dramatic impact on the actual amount of unweighting. One study by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showed significant errors in accuracy due to improper height setting, with placement too far above hip height resulting in more support than intended and placement too far below hip height resulting in less support.
Treadmill Base
The Boost 2 is built on a Woodway® 4Front treadmill, the gold standard in performance and reliability. The 4Front’s patented slat belt running surface is designed with shock-absorbing technology for the most comfortable treadmill experience, with unmatched durability. Made in the USA, it is regarded as the top performance treadmill.
AlterG® treadmills are built on a basic, Chinese-made treadmill that is brand new in U.S. markets and its quality is unknown.
User Controls
The Boost 2 features an easy and intuitive control system with knobs that allow for quick and accurate adjusting of speed and body weight with a simple turn. This makes it easier to effectively control workout variables while moving.
The controls on AlterG® treadmills are small buttons on a touchscreen that can be hard to click while moving and easy to make mistakes.
Noise Level
The Boost 2 is whisper-quiet during operation – even at faster speeds – allowing for optimal training, coaching, and rehabilitation. Its proprietary inflation system and control algorithms only work the blower as hard as is required to give users the desired amount of unweighting. Not only does this cut down on noise, but reduces power draw and increases blower life as a result.
The AlterG® is quite loud during operation, making it very difficult to hear in busy training rooms or clinics.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Boost 2 is designed to make serviceability effortless, and most cleaning/maintenance can be performed without a technician. For example, the frame is designed so that the inside of the treadmill can be accessed within 1 minute with simple tools to perform maintenance. Additionally, if a bag swap is needed, it is a quick zip-on/zip-off procedure that takes only 10 minutes and can be done on your own, costing only $500 in total.
AlterG® treadmills require a technician to perform any cleaning and maintenance as well as a bag swap, which costs around $3,000-5,000. Plus, users may wait months for a technician visit.
Calibration
The Boost 2 calibration is a five-second, 100% repeatable process which means you will have consistency each time for the same user.
AlterG® treadmill calibration is a 1-minute process that is reliant on the user being completely still. Because of this, it is prone to error and varies each time for the same user.
Warranty
The Boost 2 includes a 1-year parts & labor warranty. An affordable extended warranty is also available for $1500/year.
The AlterG® extended warranty comes in at almost double – around $2,500-$3,000 per year.
FDA-Approval
The Boost 2 is FDA-listed. In fact, it is the only FDA-listed slat belt microgravity treadmill on the market.
The AlterG® PRO model is not FDA-listed.
Custom Branding
The Boost 2 comes with the option to add free custom branding to your machine, meaning you can add your school or company logo to the side panel free of charge.
AlterG® treadmills do not come with any custom branding options.
Power
The Boost 2 Core has the ability to run on only 110/120V power which is standard in most facilities.
All AlterG® treadmills require a minimum of 220V power, which is not found everywhere and may require additional expenses to install prior to delivery.
As the inventors of both AlterG® and Boost, we intentionally designed the Boost 2 Microgravity Treadmill™ to offer unique and advanced ergonomic enhancements that give it a clear edge over anything else on the market as we continue to push the limits of functionality and design.
Questions? Contact us!