Is the stretch provided by this device appreciably superior to stretching by using a foam wedge or by hanging my heels over a curb or stairs?
170675
I find the stretch about the same, if not a little stronger, than using stairs (I have never used a foam wedge). However, the benefit I find to this device is that I can keep it under my desk and stretch as I am doing work.
170676
I believe it is....for one thing you get to rock on this which you cannot do with the stairs and I believe it gives you a much better stretch
170677
Yes, hard to describe without trying it but, while you are using it it is also positioning your foot in a way (toes/midfoot dorsiflexed) that stretches the plantar fascia, at same time as the calves. when you hang over stair, you can get the calve well, but this device really adds strectch to the plantar fascia in a way I find a stair doesn't (when you stretch on a stair you typically are not dorsiflexing the midfoot).
1188311
Yes, the shoe stretchers will somewhat widen the shoes, depending on what the shoes are made of. I specifically ordered the shoe stretchers for leather and patent leather shoes and they did make a difference. Hopefully it will work as well for you.
2186520
Maybe if you have two... There are ways to use that can stretch your hip flexors. But if you're primarily looking for a full split stretcher, this is not the one.
433711
The tension is not adjustable, however the mini stair stepper is not as tough to use as a 'real' gym stair stepper. It'll get your heart rate up enough to feel like you went up a slightly inclined hill. It's a good product for what it is. Hope this helps you!
532483
I lock tight. but when inverted my feet come off the footrest. Basically your ankles are holding you so you doing slide out. That allows the stretch of your complete legs and spine. Hope this helps. I have a pinched L5 and this relieves the pressure in my spine.
1839616
I don't think this is the best product to stretch flat shoes. The shape of this shoe stretcher is ideal for high heels.
1436755
Yes, that's correct. Curve on bottom, which lets the little padded part on the longer top comfortably secure your heel. Works great!
105263
The pressure on the back-top of the heel and the top of the foot is there while hanging, but it is not persistent, nor does it cause any real discomfort. My boyfriend, who is tall, prefers to wear shoes while hanging. I don't normally wear shoes because of convenience. The pads provided on the table are a spongy foam and seem to have held up well after about 10 uses.
1889670
While I'm no expert, I've noticed at times discomfort myself. I think you need to be sure you wear good shoes to take some of the immediate pressure from hanging. You have to remember you are hanging your entire weight off your ankles. I have shifted my weight more to tops of my feet when I've noticed the discomfort.
1995491
No reason you couldn't, but I usually stretch with shoes on for more stability in my foot.
1238327
I just went and tested it out myself, so I could give you an appropriate answer....I am about your height, and a little heavier. I was able to use it just fine, and I think it would work well for you as well! My daughter also uses a product called The Stick before she uses the strap, and it really helped her flexibility improve faster. She uses the stick to roll out her muscles and warm them up, and then she uses the strap. Then she will sit and roll again in places that felt tightest while using the strap, and then use the strap some more to get a really good stretch in those places. She got her splits in just a few weeks doing this, and let me tell you....She was FAR off the ground. Her flexibility really threatened to hold her back from ballet success, and now it is not a serious issue!
1077012
Because there is no way to secure the back stretcher (outside of using some sort of McGyver mechanism) to the inversion table, I would have to say no. I use the back stretcher as well as an inversion table. Each has its advantages. I find using the back stretcher even for a few minutes before bed time and again upon waking greatly reduces back pain. Overall though, an inversion table just has far more benefit for the whole body.
473444
I haven't done that. Though I have bent over to tie my shoe. I think if you're routine is just stretching theyd be fine. If you're into the more traditional hardcore combat yoga maybe not so much.
431195
I'm sorry but I only used the stretchers for shoes.I used them with the liquid ,it worked pretty good.
81605
Yes your height would not impact the function of this device. Your stretch range is based on the length you determine and is based at the top of the choosen door you use
2028882
No - but it does work on stretching all muscle groups - using gravity (as opposed to bouncing up and down) - so as you feel the initial stretch you then allow the weight of your body to go into a "deeper' stretch. One of my daughters did gymnastics up to her teen years and I would say that the stretching in this program would help with both splits and straddles.
240626
I have stretched 3 pair with 4.5" heel. I have made them slightly longer and increased the width, with no issues. My only complaint about these is the plastic tip on the spreader will break so you have to watch how you un-tighten