Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table

by Teeter Hang Ups

Product Features

• Inversion therapy table designed to reduce back pain and improve posture
• Elongates the spine and relieves pressure on discs, ligaments, and nerve roots
• Backrest with Flex Technology produces greater mobility and range of motion
• Adjustable foot platform with 2 settings; EZ Angle tether strap; adjustable pillow
• Includes instructional DVD; 300-pound user capacity; 5-year warranty

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

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.

Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 48 x 27 x 61 inches ; 68 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 68.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0017LAORK
• Item model number: EP-550
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #3 in Sports & Outdoors > Exercise & Fitness > Strength Training Equipment > Inversion Equipment

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

171 of 173 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back relief finally, but it takes some time!, December 2, 2009

By 

My Point of Vue (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)

Well, I normally don't write reviews but I thought that I really should since I make use of them before generally buying anything nowadays so what better place to start than about a product that has done wonders for me. While I have a had good results with the Teeter, my healing wasn't as instant as many other reviewers and I would like to share that experience with others so that not everyone thinks that after a week or two their back pain may be cured.

After reading the many positive reviews and being at the end of the line with the pain from my herniated disc I felt that I had nothing to lose by trying the Teeter. I went ahead and ordered a good inverter (Teeter) knowing that I did not want to be upside down in a flimsy inverter that I was afraid to go fully inverted.

By way of background, I have a herniated disc and have suffered from back pain (both dull and acute) for the 6-8 months preceding getting the inverter. I had gone to physical therapy with limited success and had been doing the exercises that were suggested but did not get anything more than just some temporary relief, nothing permanent. I also sit behind a desk/computer most of my day and only get up sparingly (4-8 times).

Week 1-2: My pain level was high at this point and I tried using the inversion for 2-3 minutes a day with the safety strap so I wouldn't be fully inverted. I did this about once or twice a day. The pain in my back seemed to get worse and I was not feeling any relief.

Week 3-4: I decided to stick with the regimen and give it more time as I knew that decompressing the vertebrae would not happen overnight. At this point I still did not fully invert as I was still in too much pain. I tried to increase the amount of time to about 5 minutes. The pain still had not subsided. In fact, towards the end of week 4 I tried to fully invert and I think a suffered some sort of muscle spasm that made things worse. I think it is a good idea to wait before fully inverting until your body is used to it. This may be different based on how quickly one becomes used to it.

Week 5-6: I took a week off after the muscle spasm but then continued again after that. Towards the end of week 6 I was starting to feel a little better.

Week 7-8: I was really doing the inversion for about 5 minutes once a day at night as I couldn't time it right to do it in the mornings. As the pain started to get better I started to only go to the full inversion. It was about the end of week 8 that I began to feel no back pain. I was shocked as I had not experienced 0% paid in the last 8 months before that. I have to say that I was glad I stuck with it because initially I felt that back pain get worse.

General Observations: It is true that your feet do hurt, especially if you invert for 5 minutes or more. I found that it would help to wear very thick socks and running shoes before using the inverter. I still think it is better to endure the very minor and temporary foot pain with the inversion rather than chronic back pain so that was not really a big deal for me. I have not tried the boots but may give that a try since people seem to generally think it helps with the foot pain.

I also found that after inverting for a couple of weeks I could hear my back cracking during normal routine day to day activities. I attribute this to the vertebrae beginning to decompress and align. I don't seem to hear it anymore unless I am doing the stretches.

I find that nothing is as relieving as fully inverting. At this point I only fully invert but I would recommend building up to it especially if you have back pain in the beginning. I also continued to do some exercises all along to help strengthen the back as the pain got less. I wasn't as diligent doing exercises that I should have been but I find it difficult with my schedule (excuses, excuses).

Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase and my experience. I have been back pain free for about 2 months which is really amazing. I am taking much greater care of my back and am more diligent about remembering to invert at least once a day (although I do miss days here and there). It especially feels good to invert after doing something that puts a lot of pressure on the back (like gardening). I wonder why doctors don't recommend this more often to their patient but then again that's not in their financial best interest. If you are like how I was in pretty bad back pain then go ahead and give it a shot and stick with it even if you don't get any relief the first few weeks, it worked for me.

161 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a bad back, August 2, 2008

By 

Florida Senior "Bob" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)

I was somewhat skeptical when I ordered this board whether it would help my back or not. I am periodically bothered by back problems that are either sciatica or something closely resembling it. When it hits it has always taken at least six weeks of physical inactivity and stretching to relieve the pain, and the ache would linger for months. When I felt the latest bout of this condition begin, I ordered this board. I can truthfully say that after using the board for one week, five minutes a day, the pain and any sign of the condition had disappeared. I live alone so I do not fully invert, but the last setting using the safety harness was enough to provide me relief. I only use it two or three times a week now, but have not had a recurrence of the back problem in the four months since buying the board. The one time relief was enough to justify buying the board, and any future aid in relieving or preventing the sciatica will be gravy for me. I am beginning to believe that periodic use may hopefully prevent the condition from coming back. I bought the Teeter board because I am 64 years old and weigh 250 lbs. I feel very secure on this board and if I had someone around when I was using it I would have no hesitation in going fully inverted. The sensation when you first use the board takes some getting used to, but once you develop trust in the board that feeling goes away.

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it, July 11, 2008

By 

M. Emerson (Small Town Iowa, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)

The Teeter tables are all sort of expensive but I am happy with the purchase. I think that if you are going to hang by your feet you should want to do it as safe and secure as well as comfortable as possible. This table just feels solid whether you are just at an angle or if you go with the full inversion. I have to admit that for me it took a few times to get used to the inverted sensation but I also had never done it before.

If I had to point out a drawback I find that the method for holding the feet is not perfect. I like to go fully inverted and it is not the most comfortable on the feet/ankles. Part of that is that I had a broken foot not that long ago and theres a big pad that goes right across the foot and that doesnt feel too great on a foot that is still somewhat sore. I do plan to get the conversion bar and use some of the gravity boots in order to make inverting more comfortable when I do it for longer periods of time.

Assembly is not difficult at all I just read the instructions and went at it although the DVD that comes with it has a part covering assembly that might explain it better than the instructions did. I would say that unpacking the item from the box was more of a challenge than assembly.

Overall I like the table, I use it daily. The ONLY reason it didnt get 5 stars is that I am going to have to get the gravity boots-bar attachment to make it more comfortable, but a lot of the reason for that is that sore foot not really the machine. I really like to use it after working out especially if I do back or legs, both of which put a lot of strain on the back. I do notice that the muscles up and down my back seem slightly sore, not bad sore just the type that let you know they were worked-stretched. I take this as proof that inversion stretches the muscles of the back...especially the erectors. I havent tried the ab work with it yet...waiting till I get the gravity boots-conversion bar for that just to make it more comfortable.