Teeter Hang Ups Gravity Boots, one pair

I’ve only used these for a week, but a friend has an identical pair that I’ve used many times, so I knew I would like this product when I bought it. Very comfortable and well built. This is the kind of quality product I’m always happy about after my purchase and these make me smile every time I put them on. It’s good to know there are still companies out there that don’t make garbage just trying to turn a quick buck. This fact alone earned them 5 stars, but these also perform just as I hoped. I love the challenge of using them and can hardly wait to get back to the gym to use them.

Now for a few notes for those considering buying so they know what to reasonably expect. These will feel a little tight after hanging there for a bit, but keep in mind the physics involved. Your entire body weight is being held up by a small, albeit well-padded surface area between the top of your ankle to about 6-7 inches above that. It HAS to feel uncomfortable after a certain amount of time, but this is actually a GOOD thing. The reason being is that it isn’t good for you to hang upside down too long anyhow and the benefit for decompressing your spine doesn’t take that long (only about 4 minutes of plain hanging out to decompress). This product works well enough for me to get rid of my inversion table all together, so that is saying something in itself. It also will force me to keep my lazy butt in shape over the undemanding use of an inversion table, which quite literally requires no fitness of any kind. I’m a runner and I lift weights, so decompression is a must and incredibly relaxing once you get used to being inverted.

TIP: For those looking to do some abs, oblique or back workouts, I can tell you that this device works very well! The entire length of the body of the abdominal muscles seems to be worked by the lift, but they are not for the feint of heart.

For those looking to train their body, keep in mind that for inverted sit-ups with this product, you will need to adequately develop what I believe is called the sartorius muscles in your leg. This is the muscle that raises your thigh straight up out in front of you, like a kicker in, well, almost any kicking sport or martial art. To train for this very demanding part of the lift, I recommend gripping a pull-up bar with your hands, allowing your body to hang and then lifting both legs at the same time, keeping them straight, so that your toes come up to at least above your waist and hold for 1 count, but ideally raise your toes up to being even with your nose.

Don’t swing your body when you lower your legs as many people do with this lift, but use your abs to keep your body steady and controlled as you lower your legs back to the starting point. If you can’t do the lift I have just described, just bend your knees as you do this lift until these muscles are trained enough to keep your legs straight for the lift. If you can’t do the lift with your knees bent, you have no prayer of doing ab workouts with these. Inverted sit-ups are more difficult than the leg lifts I described above, even if done correctly. Just being honest! 🙂 If you do not take some measure to train this muscle, whether by doing the lift I described or some other variation, you will be extremely sore for days. Also, remember to stretch this muscle out immediately after you are done with this lift.

My last, but most important suggestion, is that you either have a spotter help you or tie a small rope from the bar you are using so you don’t get stuck upside-down. Your abs will get tired and having a safety rope of some kind is a good idea, but you can also press your hands against the back of your leg to help you perform a crunch to get back up to the bar and lift the hooks back off for a dismount.