Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Teeter Hang Ups EP-560 Ltd Inversion Table w/ bonus Acupressure Nodes & Lumbar Bridge - This is not a whimsical review. I conducted a lot of research and used the equipment extensively before writing this review so I hope it might help you in some way, shape, or form. After years of testimonials, watching infomercials, claims of health benefits, desire to improve posture, speaking to chiropractors & doctors, watching vampires hang upside down in movies, etc, etc, etc, I for many years considered getting a Teeter inversion table. I put an enormous amount of trust into everything Teeter claimed over many years, bit the bullet, recently finally took the plunge, and ordered the EP-560 from Amazon. Here are SOME benefits: 1) Consider the inversion table an exercise machine that rejuvenates you & your well being, re-energizes you, provides a workout for your back, and in the fully inverted position sit-ups are extremely effective. 2) Using it only a few minutes a day will improve your posture within weeks if not days, as well as your back, and flatten your stomach. 3) It elongates your life, improves your lungs & breathing, and your abdomen also gets a workout. 4) I consulted with some chiropractors and doctors who highly recommend it. 5) Using it regularly just makes you feel better all around and improves your physique. 6) My favorite method of use is to invert around 70 degrees for a few minutes, relax and get a good stretch, etc, then 90 degrees for a few minutes, and then fully invert for around 5 minutes, while doing some twists, sit-ups, and other exercises, in the fully inverted position. 7) My apartment is around ~1000 square feet so before ordering I was concerned about how much space it might take up. I keep the fully assembled inversion table up in my small guest bedroom which btw has in it quite a bit of other furniture (sofa, desk, chest of drawers, night table), and surprisingly the space it takes up is fine. If you want to store it, just plop off the bed, fold up the stand, and stick both in a closet, under a bed, or lean them against a wall. IMO it's a bit too "industrial looking" for a living room but it'd be pretty cool if Teeter developed a model that meshed with living room decor. - I really wanted to give the EP-560 a 5-star rating which for me implies "close to perfection", or at minimum 4 stars, but unfortunately I feel compelled to give it only 3.5 stars. This review is based on a combination of the EP-560 itself, as well as the Teeter company. Amazon absolutely deserves 5 stars for its customer service and handling of this product, however with respect to the EP-560 itself and the Teeter brand wrt to its products in general, they are definitely the best inversion tables and highest rated in the market, but having been in business for around 30 years, I feel that Teeter could do a better job in getting its act together a bit better. 1) First off it is clear from the title and description that this EP-560 is advertised with bonus Acupressure Nodes & Lumbar Bridge. The item did not ship with these accessories which a few other reviews also state, Teeter promised to send them, and 2 weeks later they are still yet to be received. 2) Assembly definitely does not take only 20 minutes as claimed and stated in instructions, especially if you've never assembled one before. Also, with the prospect of hanging upside down should one really rush to get everything fully assembled in 20 mins??? Not that anyone that is new could do it in that time anyway. It seems irresponsible for Teeter to make this claim. Many other Amazon reviews also state it takes much longer. Folks - TAKE YOUR TIME assembling the table -- READ the instructions, WATCH the video, learn how all the parts work & fit together, make sure everything is correctly positioned, tightened appropriately, etc. 3) Teeter advertises and strongly emphasizes the durability, quality, and strength, of its components. There are some components, parts, bolts, screws, that are not as strong & durable as claimed. In fact, parts of the steel//table started to compress when tightening the bolts, and some other nuts & bolts almost got stripped. Also one screw, albeit not a critical one nor one that is important, has never been installed. 4) A very common complaint of many folks is that they feel some discomfort & pain in their Ankles & Feet while inverted. After around 30 years in business could Teeter not develop a better system to address this as a STANDARD component that ships with the product? I find it MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE to wear socks which is much less painful than wearing sneakers as suggested by Teeter in all its instructions which emphasizes wearing running shoes or tennis shoes. Also, I don't like snapping the assembly tightly around my ankles - in fact it's much nicer pretty LOOSE - don't worry you'll still remain secure. I found an article on the web pasted here: "Tip #1 - Wear Socks While Inverting - While most people will recommend wearing shoes, one of the most comfortable ways of inverting is actually to wear only regular length socks on your feet. This will give you some cushioning between your feet/ankles and the ankle padding, making inversion much more comfortable. Wearing shoes, on the other hand, has one downfall - it can end up putting more stress on your ankles and make it more uncomfortable. While this is not true with everyone, many people have found that they are even less comfortable wearing shoes than simply inverting with bare feet". 5) Now for the Tether Strap - why does it allow for ONLY 60 degrees of inversion? As you become more and more accustomed to inversion, but still not full inversion, and you feel more comfortable using the tether strap, you'd like to invert greater than just 60 degrees. The tether strap could EASILY offer more than just 60 degrees inversion and this would be such an EASY FIX for Teeter -- just make them longer!!! 6) Next, I was expecting much better knowledge from Teeter's Customer Service. I asked them very simple questions which after around 30 years they should be able to address right off the top of their heads. For example, I asked what Teeter's comments are about "blood going to your head"? All they could speak about was the table itself and its use which did not address my question. After around 30 years in the business of inversion, Teeter cannot train it's folks to comment on blood pressure??? Here's a snippet of an article I found written by Dr. Bryant: "Bryant: "These have been marketed to people with back problems and for exercise. When the body is inverted, or turned over, the spine supposedly gets some relief from stress of gravity. People perform abdominal exercises and others from the inverted position". "The blood pressure in your eyes and blood vessels in the head and neck area are increased, which could be dangerous for individuals with heart disease, stroke, or glaucoma risk factors." 7) Another question I had for Teeter's customer service was: "Are you aware of any circumstances when folks have not used the table correctly or things that led to other issues"? Again Teeter's customer service just commented on the product and how to use it. I was astonished that after around 30 years in business Teeter could not comment on JUST ONE ISSUE a person might have had. Here's a snippet of an article I found written by Dr. Fichera: "Fichera: "I was advised never to exercise in the inverted position. Inversion puts a lot of pressure on the lower back. Men especially have this problem because they hold a huge portion of their weight in the upper body region. When they are inverted, the pressure shifts to the lower body, which can put pressure on the spine. For a certain percentage of the population, this could be very hazardous. There are other ways to strengthen the spinal muscles." After 30+ years customer service reps at Teeter are not able to address ONLY ONE issue that customers might have had??? What about discomfort in the ankles & feet? 8) Finally, please don't take this review the wrong way - I'm NOT dissing the table per se - but there are some processes or things that could be improved after around 30 years in business. There are numerous pros - health benefits, best rated, glowing reviews, highly recommended, and the machine is sturdy & aesthetically pleasing versus other brands. I enjoy the table and will keep it but do have a tiny bit of remorse on not buying one that would suffice while saving a couple $100 bucks. Many of you might consider the shortcomings I stated rather trivial, and you are correct that the benefits far outweigh the issues mentioned, but in my opinion it's perplexing that after around thirty years in business, shortcomings that MUST be known and could easily be addressed are not, hence the 3.5 star rating. -