Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table
|
List Price: Our Price: $260.70 You Save: $168.30 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Sports See more product details |
|---|
Description of Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table
Achieve a better back, better body with Teeter Hang Ups. The industry leader since 1981, Teeter Hang Ups has focused solely on producing the best value inversion equipment with time-proven design features that ensure dependability and user security. In just a few minutes a day, you can experience a wide range of benefits, including temporary relief of back pain, improved posture through better alignment, stimulated circulation and reduced stress. When you want a natural, in-home solution for a healthier back, try inversion ¿ if you value quality, look to Teeter Hang Ups. Engineers specifically designed the EP-550 to follow the natural curves of the back for a more comfortable and effective inversion experience. New Flex Technology allows the table bed to move with you while performing stretches and exercises with ease and precision.Whether you want to enjoy better posture, reduce back pain, or simply minimize your daily stress load, the Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 inversion therapy table makes a terrific choice. Inversion therapy works by placing your body in line with the downward force of gravity. In the process, inversion elongates the spine, increases the space between the vertebrae, and relieves the pressure on discs, ligaments, and nerve roots. And less pressure means less back pain, as well as fewer headaches and neck problems. Inversion is an ideal therapy for people with persistent spine and muscle problems, in addition to athletes who frequently push their body out of whack through repetitive muscle motions, such as runners, weightlifters, skiers, bikers, and golfers. Studies suggest that inverting yourself a mere 25 degrees for even a few minutes per day can have tremendously positive effects.
The EP-550 is outfitted with such features as Flex Technology, which allows the backrest to bend accommodate your stretches for greater mobility and range of motion; an adjustable foot platform with two settings, allowing you to find the optimum position for ankle comfort and security; and an EZ Angle tether strap, which offers preset angles at 20, 40, and 60 degrees, along with custom angles depending on your preferred position. Other details include an adjustable head pillow for maximum comfort, an instructional DVD, and a 300-pound user capacity. The EP-550, which accommodates people as tall as 6 feet 6 inches, carries a five-year warranty.
About Teeter Hang Ups
Roger and Jennifer Teeter founded Hang Ups Inversion Products in 1981 and have been dedicated to manufacturing quality inversion products ever since. Roger and Jenny truly believe in the benefits of this simple, natural form of therapy that has been around since 400 BC. In the late 1970?s, Roger tried many forms of therapy to help manage his pain. He finally discovered that by inverting, he was able to relieve his back pain and begin the road to recovery. He credits inversion for keeping him pain free, healthy, and active. Inversion has changed Roger's life, and now he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of inversion and quality products.
STL International, creator of Teeter Hang Ups brand inversion equipment, has pioneered standards for quality and performance in the inversion market. All Teeter Hang Ups F-series inversion tables are classified in accordance with UL 2601-1 (medical equipment in a clinical setting), a rigid specification that tests the structural integrity of the equipment.
Sports reviews of Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table
Customer Review: Inversion with flex capability for your back exercises
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
We like to incorporate back exercise in our workout routine, and after trying out a friend's inversion table, we decided to get one for our home gym.
The reason to use an inversion table is to stretch your spine. Normally, you stand and your legs and pelvis and stomach support the spine. When you sit, you increase the pressure on the spine by resting on your coccyx (tailbone). So for people who sit all day, inversion can actually act like traction, using gravity to pull the vertebrae and decompress the spine.
As you hang or lean at various angles from 20 degrees to 90 degrees -- totally upside down, your head gets more blood, your stomach muscles lengthen and stretch and your shoulders relax because you put your arms fully over your head.
You can gradually build up your angle from 20 degrees, allowing you to adjust to the new feeling in your head and spine. You can use the table to do rocking (down to your set angle, back up to level or vertical) or you can do intermittent traction (1-2 minutes down, 1/2 minute up.) In the fully suspended 90 degree position, your body is literally hanging by your ankles and you can do twists, sit-ups, squats and back arches. This is not possible in the shallower angle positions as you are lying on the table in those positions as opposed to freely hanging with spine straight.
You may not use any bands, weights or other equipment while on the table. You MUST wear tie shoes with flat, even soles (no thick soles, no high tops.) A standard pair of trainers (running or walking shoes) with ties works just fine.
The table is a molded, net nylon bed resting on a steel A-frame. The bed rotates like a teeter-totter. There is an ankle clamp on the bottom to hold your feet securely, and a pin lock height adjustment to set the table to the right height for you. The newer Flex table has a redesigned foot platform design that dials up or down for smaller or larger feet. This is a boon, as I have big feet but small ankles--so I dial mine down so I don't slip out. Those with bigger feet need a different setting.
There is now controlled lockout in full inversion and the redesigned bed allows you to flex as you move, so it flexes with the back's natural curves. There is also a pillow. These are significant differences to the comfort of earlier models.
The unit is based on an A-frame that collapses for folding and storage, the hinges lock (like on a folding table) and there are clips on the base to stabilize the base on the floor. The table is not powered; you operate it with your body weight, using your arms to add upper body weight to take you down to your desired position. The Sport version of this model uses gravity boots (wrap around ankle and clip on base) rather than an ankle clamp. People who do full inversion say that this is more comfortable than the pressure on the ankle, so you might want to test this out before you purchase a table. There is also an optional back massage mat.
When starting out, have a friend to stay with you in case of dizziness or other discomfort. The Teeter EP-550 table comes with a DVD that demonstrates proper use, and of course check with your medical professional before using this table. Teeter provides a downloadble guide for discussing this with your doctor.
Summary: the redesigned flex table and pillow make this a more comfortable inversion table and an improvement over the previous flatbed models.
Customer Review: The Greatest Invention on Earth for Your Aging/Weak Back! Save a Trip to the Hospital/Chiropractor!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
Although not a doctor, I'm a "GymRat"/Health Nut/Personal Trainer and I swear by this device. I have to think, that doctors don't want you to buy this device or is an avoidance recommendation so they can make more money from you, by way of prescription pills.
Buy the cheapest brand/model! Any inversion table is great for your back! As long as you have an inversion table you're good. Any other expensive models are to your taste only. I decided to write a review on this brand for no other reason, because I have an "old school" 80's model and it still works. Treat this as any other exercise, i.e. repetitions with sets. Your repetitions and/or sets will be the length of time you spend upside down in having gravity work for you in decompressing those discs and muscles.
The most important part in getting used to this to have your ankles get used to the pressure against it when upside down.
Start with three sets of 1minute, then 3 sets of 1 1/2 min, etc etc .. until you get at least 10 minutes. I'm at 10minutes on a slow day and up to 25minutes when I have time (usually Sundays)
Benefits:
It is truly amazing what decompression does to your body, compressed discs and tight muscles. It relieves and appeases all strain in your body. Hang with your favorite relaxing CD/Yoga CD and you'll be truly blown away by the benefits. Some days when I didn't even want to move out of my bed with excruciating back pain, I was able to have a pain-free day for the WHOLE DAY. You gotta remember, I laid there in pain for a few days out of laziness, eventhough I had this device in my patio. I finally decided to do my sets and "PAINFREE!" This device will save your wallet on Chiropractor/M.D. visits. Some days of my long runs, my ribs start aching. Instead of medicating myself as probably a doctor would prescribe, I just do my sets of decompression and I swear "I'm Brand New" again!
For those fellow Gym Rats, combine this device while doing hyperextensions to strengthen your back to reduce pain and increase strength to your lower back. After my extreme heavy squats, I could feel a major discomfort in my hips that prevented from me walking comfortably. I could see how people lose their hips this way after prolonged extreme squat workouts. After a prolonged three sets of decompression, again I'm ANEW, if you will. Bear in mind, that I had been feeling hip pain/discomfort for a week because, by chance, I've been lazy about using my table that week. This has done miracles for my occasional shoulder/rotator cuff as well. The importance is to be relaxed as hell when upside down, so buy the best relaxation CD/MP3 out there.
After three sets of prolonged decompression after an extreme squat workout/extreme pain, I actually felt the decompressing pain of the body rebalancing itself. So yes.. you will slightly "feel the pain" of the device working for you... NOT against you. I had to tell you that so you knew what to expect. But after that, you feel you're ready to "cheesily" attack the day again. With regular use of this device, you'll have the same perspective as that guy on that infomercial.. No Bull***t. JUST DOES MIRACLES!! I think I saw a recent informercial on that lower back device with a rotating "T" device. GET AN INVERSION TABLE INSTEAD. YOur whole bodyweight is working to decompress you by way of gravity!
Customer Review: Teeter Hangups Review
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I purchased this product because I've been struggling with a herniated disc in my lumbar spine (L5). At times the nerve pain was so great I thought I was going to pass out simply from trying to stand up. Walking, sneezing, and trying to stand up were horrible! After I saw a Orthopaedic Surgeon, who examined my MRI, he said that the disc was not going to require surgery but I would still have the nerve pain for approximately 3 months. As an alternative he recommended decompression treatments at a chiropractor and/or an epidural to dull the pain. Since the epidural does not provide any healing benefits whatsoever, I decided against it. Decompression does work, however it's pricey as my insurance does not cover chiropractic treatments.
People who have suffered from a herniated disc will understand, there simply isn't any escaping the pain, it's with you night and day. I did some research online and decided that inversion therapy was worth a try to use in conjuction with the decompression treatments at the chiropractor. The major selling point to inversion therapy for me, was that I could use the product at home whenever I wanted. Based on the reviews I read online about Teeter products, I decided it was worth spending the extra money and ordered the Teeter. Upon receiving the product, I was very impressed with the quality. All parts are very well constructed. Assembly was simple, it took about 30 minutes from start to finish to complete. I started my inversion routine immediately, inverting once in the morning, and then again in the evening once I've returned from work. The table is very comfortable. The only flaw: there is a minor discomfort when you lock your feet into place and invert. I'd recommend wearing shoes of some sort when inverting to avoid this. For me this was more of an issue intially than it is now, as I've adjusted some of the settings on the table which help to avoid the discomfort.
I'm not going to claim that this a miracle cure, but for those suffering from nerve pain due to a herniated disc, inverting & decompression treatments will provide the only relief you'll be able to get short of surgery and pain killers. In the first two weeks of inverting, the relief from nerve pain was temporary lasting about 20-30 minutes after each session. Over time, as I continue to stick with my routine of inverting twice a day the pain has dulled significantly. 4 weeks into my recovery, I feel about 90% compared to what I felt before the disc herniation. While the recovery period doesn't sound incredible, it's drastically better than the 3 months that I was originally quoted. I can now walk, sneeze, and stand without any nerve pain whatsoever. I still have another week or two before I can start to become active again, but I'm very satisfied with my progress.
Customer Review: Herniated Disk (Reinjured) - This really helped
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I herniated my L5/S1 disk about 2 years ago carrying tile for my kitchen remodel (at age 39). I was laid up for a good 3 weeks. I lost sensation is my right foot (could not feel hot and cold or touch) and lost muscle control in my right calf (walked with a limp). After 3 months I got feeling back in my foot and after about 6 months of walking, back exercises, and dedicated effort was feeling back to normal. I thought I was being more careful and staying in shape but reinjured the same disk this past october. I had many of the same symptoms as before though not as severe. However, the sciatic leg pain was incredibly bad this time. I could not get out of bed or the car without feeling like I was being stabbed in the leg every time I put my right leg down. The pain was bad and after two months of dedicated stretching/core strengthening every morning and evening I didn't feel like I was making much progress toward recovery.
A friend let me borrow his teeter hang-up (an older version). As an engineer I am always a bit skeptical about claims of miracle cures, but I was willing to try just about anything that might help. Not in my wildest dreams could I have anticipated how quickly my condition would improve. I used the inversion table 3 times a day for about 5-10 minutes each session at about 60% incline. By the third day I felt as though 80-90% of my pain was resolved. Based on these results I went online and orderd the EP-550. I continued to use the borrowed unit until my new table arrived but by the end of the first week there was little pain left at all.
I now have my own table and use it regularly to stretch whenever I feel tightness in my back or leg. I continue to do core strengthening every other day for about 30 minutes and have recently added a one mile run to my routine. I am now able to hit 1.2 miles in 10 minutes without any pain. I start and end with a quick stretch on the inversion table and feel great.
The product itself is a very stable, and well built. I now do full inversion and have no concerns about doing so. My only complaint is the strain on my ankles when fully inverted. I will probably get the gravity boots at some point. However, if I angle the heel brackets downward slightly before inverting that seems to help. Great product. I recommend it completely.
Customer Review: Stress buster!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I bought this machine as a Birthday present for my husband, who has been mentioning inversion for a while. I've never seen him so excited with any gifts! He was soooo excited than he ripped open the box and assembled the thing in fifteen minutes. I was very surprised how easy and intuitive it was to assemble the machine, because I remember other reviewers saying how this is not a 20 min job... Well, it's actually is a 20 minute job or far less!! (I mean, 15 mins for saying happy bd, then ripping the paper, then opening the box, then ripping the plastics, then getting all the pieces together, then moving it all to the appropiate room, then consulting te manual, then assembling the thing seems like a VERY short time).
Neeedless to say, he was hanging like a monkey seconds after he assembled the table, scared (first time user and he went the complete 180) but incredibly happy. The expression on his face slowly changed to relief and utter relaxation until he realized he didn't know how to return, haha! He used more caution from then on, though.
Except for musical instruments or motorcycles, he rarely gets this exhilaration. He has no real back issues (I'm the one that fell down the stairs and have lived with backache since) but he wanted this to relax, and it seems that he accomplishes this.
He was very surprised at how sturdy the table is and how heavy. I chose this one because I'm aprehensive about dangling around and so I wanted to ease my mind and buy the best machine for home use and not the cheap $100 ones that would make me loose sleep. I'm very happy with my decision.
So far there's been no need for the boots and I reccomend buying this version without the boots. You can try it like this and only if you don't like it then spend the extra $100, after all I've read several people saying the bought the boots beforehand and they don't even use them. Be savvy with your money, come on!
One of these days I'll be trying the thing myself and tell you how it goes for back pain. So far, I'm a chicken, but thank you for reading.