Paradigm 100 Inversion Table System
|
List Price: Our Price: $149.00 You Save: $50.99 (25%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Sports See more product details |
|---|
Description of Paradigm 100 Inversion Table System
Ideal for beginning or experienced inversion table users, the Paradigm 100 can help relieve minor back aches and muscle tension; it can also help to counter the effects of too much time spent sitting, standing, or moving repetitively. The table is also a great way to add extra crunch to exercises like sit-ups. Built with a durable tubular steel frame with a scratch-resistant, powder-coated finish, the Paradigm 100 features three adjustment settings on the pivot arms to control the rotation speed while safety handles provide easy return to an upright position. Vinyl safety covers are added to protect hands and fingers. The Paradigm 100 features three adjustment settings, a padded backrest, and ergonomically molded ankle holders. |
The table can support up to 250 pounds and it has a maximum user height of 6 feet, 6 inches. When not in use the Paradigm 100 can be folded for storage.
Key Features:
- Tubular steel frame with a scratch-resistant, powder-coated finish
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Maximum User Height: 6' 6"
- Three adjustment settings
- Safety handles
- Nylon backrest
- Ergonomically molded ankle holders
- Adjustable tether straps
- Folding design
Sports reviews of Paradigm 100 Inversion Table System
Customer Review: Lisa
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
This was for my Daughter Lisa and she uses it and has seen improvment with her back problems.Great delivery.
NaNa Dot
Customer Review: Great piece of equipment for the price
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
Completely satisfied with this product and glad I didn't buy a more expensive one. It gets the job done.Customer Review: Wonderful.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
Everything it said it was. Easy to use. Amazing, really. Like going to the chiropractor!Customer Review: Preliminary issues, my solutions and so far.....
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
Short Version: If buying for back pain I would highly recommend this as an option as long as your Dr. says it will not make your situation worse.
Long version:
First my history: I bought this out of desperation. Have had excruiating 'burning' legs and soles of feet (and occasional sore back for 2+ yrs. First went to a podiatrist (thinking I had foot issue) Two corisone shots later(over a 12 mth period)he suggests 'maybe it's my back'. Another 6 mths later (I'm lazy/frustrated easily and dealing with an HMO.) I finally got an MRI. 2 buldging discs and 1 herniated in lower back. Since then I started with physio = no positive result or any change at all. Then I had 2 epiderals about 1 month apart. Result was 'weirdness' pain relief. Day after it was like my nerves were saying 'you are in pain' but the nerves couldn't quite make it hurt with the 'usual' burn. Unfortunately both shots wore off within several days or so and the pain returned. I scheduled a 3rd shot but at that appt I asked the Dr. what he thought of 'streching/zero gravity' devices. (His office does not offer this treatment.) He suggested that it would do no harm but was unlikely to help because of the type (or location) of the nerve pressure from the herniated disc. And he explained how expensive chiropractor visits for this would be. So out of desperation (and budget)I started reading about inversion tables at Amazon. I was impressed with all the positive reviews for most every table regardless of manufacturer. I took a chance buying this one - figuring it was cheaper than one Chiropractor visit = little to lose.
The unit: Recieved it as scheduled. Instructions are clear and the build took under two hours. Looks solid but I do not like the sleeves that cover the 'point' of the A frame. Looks cheap... but then consider the price.
Usage: I am not a cautious person with 'new toys'. I had read the Amazon reviews (and the instruction manual) and read a lot about starting with a moderate incline. I did that for the first several two minute tries. But I kept adjusting the safety strap to invert further on the first day/evening. The strap is now set for steep inversion. And I went to town staying inverted that way for about 5 minutes on day one. I definately felt something in my back. Not pain - but a significant pulling/stretching. I DO NOT RECCOMEND STARTING LIKE THIS TO ANYONE. I am an idiot. Clear enough? But I was fine - or so I believed. The next morning I used it again - at the same steep incline - and felt the same sensation. About an hour later I went to pick something up off the floor and bent at my waist. Sure enough - my back went out on me and hurt like hell. I decided to try the inversion table and I could feel my back stiffening while I was trying to lock my feet in. I inverted moderately and cycled upright about 10 times. My back still hut - but I could tell the pain had peaked. From that point on the back pain has lessened (This is day two...I'm able to carry light thins and easily trot around.). The interesting and positive thing is that my feet have begun to burn less. This is now the evening of the second full day that I have used the inversion table. Today I went to an Arts & Crafts festival and walked around for three hours with very very little foot burning!! That has not been the norm over the last 2+ years...except right after the first cortisone shot from my podiatrist!!!
Let's be clear: I do not know if this progress will continue. I do not know if I happen to be experiencing relief from the 2nd epideral shot (it's been 2+ weeks) I don't know if it's psychosomatic. I don't know if it's not a combination of all of the above. All I can say is that I most certainly feel a difference that was not there before I used the inversion table. My buttocks still burn a bit. My feet have given me a few fleeting moments where I thought it would get worse - but did not... and I am thrilled.
My tips/advice: First issue to solve is the amount of pressure on from the clamps pushing on the top of your foot. I have tried several cheap solutions. What I settled on is: I put on hightops. Then then I slide a dr schools 'gel' insole under the shoe tongue. Then I tie my shoe to prevent slippage. Then I tighten the clamp down as tight as it will go. This is try at your own risk. I accept no liability for using my stupidity or trying to understand my instructions. All I can say is that it works for me and has lessened (but not eliminated) a lot of the 'top of foot' pressure issue.
EDIT 1: It's now a week and the fast benefit I experienced after one day has not progressed - but I am not disappointed. I've experienced and maintained about a 20% reduction in pain and that's a great thing. I've used no pain meds during this week - and that's a first in a long long time.
EDIT 2: (08-08-09) Still like it a LOT. I have figured out a better method using this table to hang with less discomfort for longer. First I use a regular running shoe. Then I cut two 6 inch squares of 1/4 inch high density foam. I fold it in half and place it along the top of my shoe. NOW...the 'trick' is I turn the top part of the clamp so that it will press against the top part of my foot (rather than clamping it tight against the top of my ankle). I then press it down against the front of my angle BUT by turning it this way ONLY THE EDGE of the top clamp is pressing against my leg/ankle. HOWEVER when you turn upside down the length of the top piece rests against your topfoot (and also under the foam) so the WEIGHT is evenly spread out over a flat surface RATHER THAN JUST HAVING THE EDGE OF THE CLAMP DIG INTO THE TOP OF YOUR FOOT. ***The only thing to remember is to keep your foot at a right angle as much as possible*** It works well and I can hang for a good 30 minutes this way before my ankles hurt from the clamps. And once again let me add: This is try at your own risk. I accept no liability for using my stupidity or trying to understand my instructions.
Customer Review: Great Price, Great Relief From Back Pain!
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
The "Paradigm 100 Inversion Table System" is a surprisingly well designed unit that works exactly as advertised. It came in a very large box (recommended to "team lift") with an intimidating set of assembly instructions. The instructions looked scarier than they were in reality and the unit went together fairly easily in about 30 minutes.
I highly recommend reading the instructions before using the inversion table, unlike what I did :-) The instructions suggest starting off slowly and using the included strap to limit the degree of inversion and total time until you become use to the effects. You can increase the degree and time as you acclimate to being upside down for long periods. From my personal experience, starting off too aggressively will likely leave you light headed and with sore ankles.
My 2nd time on the unit, my back stretched nicely and "popped" in two places (a very good thing!). Using the machine twice a day has helped to loosen up my back and has relieved much of my lower back pain.
My entire family has tried the unit with varying degrees satisfaction, ranging from indifference (my wife) to loving it (my teenage daughter). On that note, my daughter likes to stretch out on the unit before bed time by slowly changing the amount of inversion. She says it helps to relax her before going to sleep.
Our only complaint is that the holder does place a lot of pressure on your ankles in the most extreme inversion. One thing that does help is to place a folded washcloth on the pressure points before locking in place.
The unit takes up a good bit of space when it is assembled, but does fold down (into two pieces) fairly well for storage.
This is a great value for the money and has likely saved me more than the cost in chiropractor bills.
Highly recommended!