eubonus's Full Review: Teeter Hang Ups F5000 Inversion Table
PURPOSE:
I have a herniated disk in my back and began physical therapy for it 4 weeks ago. They put me in traction to "pull" my spine apart, or at least take some of the pressure off the disks. Normal everyday standing and sitting cause your disks to compress, while mine was sticking out the side and being squished. I asked if an inversion table wouldn't do the same thing and I could use it at home on my non-physical therapy days, they told me that would work just fine.
I was able to find this one at a garage sale with booklet & video, for a mere $50. It was already put together so we just had to get it home, it does way over 50 lbs because it is made of carbon steel and chrome.
USAGE:
The maximum weight on this table is 300 lbs. I am a large guy who weighs 235 lbs at 6 feet. I have had no balance or feelings of tipping the table over. Teeter Hang Ups has a nylon covered table area to lie upon, with black foam covered handle bars sticking out the sides. The nylon table part is connected at the base to the body height adjustment tube. The pull pin on the side of the tube allows you to move the tube up or down to your desired height, ranging from 4'9" (140cms) to 6'8" (203cms). At the end of the tube are black foam covered rear & front rollers, with a foot tube/rest at the bottom. The front roller is adjustable with a pull out pin. There is a safety strap running from the back of steel height tube to bottom, which allows you to adjust the angle of inversion. In other words, how far you flip over backwards with your head down. It is recommended to start with a small safety strap in order not to go too far back until you are used to it.
GETTING STARTED:
All you need to do to get started on the Teeter Hang Ups is wear comfortable clothes & I recommend tennis shoes. The shoes help to keep you in the foot pedals and take most of the pressure off your feet when you are hanging at a 90* angle. It is recommended by Teeter that you get a doctor's approval and it list about 25 different conditions that would preclude someone from using the Teeter Hang Ups.
You only need a small space to store the unit and about six inches of wall clearance to use it to its full 90* inversion angle. You need to start by adjusting the height tube for yourself, standing on the foot platform and adjusting the front foot tube so it fits snugly against the top of your shoe tongue. You then lay back on the nylon table while holding onto the handle bars on the sides. Once you feel comfortable enough you can raise one or both arms overhead. This is how you begin to move backwards and upside down on the Hang Ups. The motion of your arms causes you to go fast or slow, if you are going back too fast, just put your arm(s) on your chest or at your side. ALWAYS start slowly and do not lift your head up. They recommend 20-30 degrees for beginners and 60 degrees is enough to allow for full decompression of the spine, it is not necessary to go any farther.
Once you get the hang of it you can hang longer and at greater angles. Another thing I was taught in physical therapy was strengthening my core abdominal muscles. This can be accomplished easily without any stress to your back by doing short crunches while hanging at 60 degrees or more. All that is necessary is to lift your head and shoulders off the nylon table and hold for 2-3 seconds.
MY OPINION:
The Teeter Hang Ups inversion table has been a life saver. I use it for a few minutes 2-3 times a day to help stretch my back out and strengthen my core abdominal muscles. I feel refreshed and have started back on my regular exercise routine of walking & jogging three times a week. I do not think I would have been progressing this quickly if it were not for Hang Ups allowing me to hang upside down whenever I am achy.
medex Store Teeter Hang Ups F5000 Inversion Table Features of the Teeter Hang Ups F5000 Inversion Table: Folds easily for storage. Includes instructio...More at eBay
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