I was so curious about the Lever Running Device, especially when I injured myself. I’m no stranger to “weird” ways to run, and when I lived in New Jersey, I was lucky enough to have access to an Alter G (anti-gravity treadmill). I thought it was awesome, and I came back from a few different injuries that way. Most runners don’t have access to the very expensive Alter G. The Lever running device is “only” $1000 (compared to the $30k+ Alter G treadmill). The other great thing about the Lever Running Device is that you can rent it! So for just $100 a month, you can rent your own. That makes it a more cost-effective way to try it. Renting is what I did.
Before trying the Lever Running Device, I had several questions:
Is the Lever movement device hard to assemble? Does the Lever device actually remove body weight? Do you run differently when using the Lever running system? Is the Lever system as good as running on an Alter G?
Pros:
- Rent before you buy makes it much cheaper.
- It’s much cheaper than other similar systems.
- Not heavy and easy to assemble.
- Fits most styles of treadmills.
Cons:
- Can only reduce up to 45 pounds.
- Can’t change the amount reduced when running.
- Time-consuming to get in and out of the machine.
About Lever:
Lever was established in 2019 by two athletes in Boulder, Colorado. They are dedicated to helping competitive athletes train smarter. The founders believe that supporting an athlete’s body weight is key to reducing, preventing, and recovering from injuries. Lever’s studies show that supporting some of a person’s body weight during training can lessen the stress on their body, promote good exercise form, and help them get moving more easily.
They created a special system that supports an athlete’s body weight. This system is designed so that athletes all over can use it both at home and when they travel. It’s a new way to train that focuses on helping athletes stay healthy and do their best in their sports.
How It Works:
I was concerned with how running would feel with the Lever. Would it feel awkward or like something was holding you back? First, the setup was simple. I followed the directions and didn’t really have any issues installing it on my NordicTrac X22i. It took me maybe all of 20 minutes, and I was good to go.
Putting on the Lever Gear took me longer then setting it up on my treadmill. First, you’ll need a special pair of shorts that you can order from Lever. These pants are tight. I am usually a size 27 waist, and I found even the small was very tight. I thought I ordered the wrong size. I was confused because the small is supposed to run 27-30. Good thing I did not get the extra small. My advice to you is that you should size up from whatever size you regularly wear. They fit tight. Very tight.
After spending a good amount of time putting the pants on, I was finally able to clip in. If you find the pants time-consuming, you’ll also find clipping in to be time-consuming. The Lever pulley system is easy to do, but just takes time. You can figure out how much body weight you want to reduce by looking at the markings and adjusting to the one you prefer. It might take a little strength to lock into whatever body weight you want. Once you’ve done all that, it’s time to actually start using the Lever Movement.
I first used Lever when I had my sciatic nerve injury. I thought I might be able to keep running and save running the California International Marathon. Spoiler: I could keep running on Lever but didn’t run CIM.
I’ve found the Lever movement machine to be really awkward to use. I didn’t know what to do with my arms and found them kind of tied up. Like, should I just run with them at my side? After finally getting used to them, I did find it fairly comfortable and easy to use.
Did I feel completely injury-free while running on the Lever? No. In fact, I still felt my hip. A lot less, but I did feel it. (As compared to, I have definitely felt fully injury-free with the Alter G. but that is because you can reduce so much of your body weight) In all, I am a fan of the Lever Movement, but it did take me some time to get used to. (I would say roughly 15 miles of using to get used to it).
How can Lever Movement Help?
If you are someone recovering from an injury or just struggle to run injury-free, the Lever Movement is a great way to continue running (or walking) without the pressure that high mileage can bring.
Cost: $
At just $1100, the Lever Movement, is much cheaper than other and more similar options. The Alter G can be $30,000+, and you can rent Lever (what I did) for $110 a month. So yes, it’s a lot cheaper than similar options.
Lever Conclusion:
The Lever Running System is a great choice whether you’re recovering from an injury, want to run more without getting hurt, or are an experienced runner. It’s easy to use and affordable. With its flexible renting options, it’s available to many more people than other systems. The only hindrance is owning your own treadmill. While it took me some time to feel like I was running “naturally,” I do enjoy using the setup. I hope in the future, they are able to create something to reduce even more bodyweight.
Who should buy the Lever Movement System? If you are someone wanting to run more miles or are injury-prone.
Who should not buy the Lever Movement System? If you don’t have access to a treadmill you can install. If you need more than 45 pounds of body weight removed (like a stress fracture).
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Walking at a steady state in a device like this will help a lot of spine pain derived conditions… Yes, this is coming from a Chiropractor.
interesting…I have done water running, and running on a thing my physio has, a treadmill in a body of water….so zero gravity….I hated water running..I would do a couple of laps and then just swam….that may be why my lower left fibula didn’t heal properly..maybe not