Gravity boots (hurt like hell!)

[xander]

For a long time I have wanted gravity boots (they let you hang upside down from a bar), and I have just got some.

They are the standard ones you see everywhere - foam padding, and all.

My problem is that they hurt like hell!! The leaflet says you can hang upside-down with "amazing comfort" but I cant beleive how! As soon as I sart to hang, they seem to dig into the inside of my ankle, after about 1 minute of hanging the pain is unbearable and I have to get down. Afterwards, my ankles feel very sore in a very specific area, just at the topp of the bone which protrudes out on the inside of the ankle.

I have tried this with 2 pairs of socks on for added padding, but it still hurts...

I'd really like to hear from anyone with experience of gravity boots about this as I really want to be able to hang comfortably for at least a few minutes with no pain.


Thanks

[xander]

I guess no-one has gravity boots?!

Im kind of getting used to the pain now. The best i can do is put pads around my ankles and hang for a couple of minutes before it gets too uncomfortable.

I just wonder if everyone gets this pain or its just me!?

[vegwedge]

are you wearing them backwards? or maybe you need a different size because you have big ankles

[AllCdnBoy]

what do you use them for? i guess if you paid for them already, then you might as well use them, but with a little bit more work, wouldn't an decline bench provide the same results?

[xander]

Originally posted by vegwedge
are you wearing them backwards? or maybe you need a different size because you have big ankles

I am definitly wearing them the right way around according to the instructions, but I have tried them on opposite feet just to make sure - makes it worse.

I think if anyhing, I have skinny legs/ankles and the boots should be tighter. I tried putting pads on my shin to make them tighter, and it does make it better, but still not what I would call comfortable!

[xander]

Originally posted by AllCdnBoy
what do you use them for? i guess if you paid for them already, then you might as well use them, but with a little bit more work, wouldn't an decline bench provide the same results?

I had a bad lower back injury, so the main reason i got them was to try them out to help my back, as I heard they can help de-compress your spine. i was willing to try anything to help my problem, and so far they do seem to provide some releif.

They can also be used to do 'reverse squats' (pulling yourself into a squat position, this time with gravity acting the other way around so it works your hamstrings!), and abdominal exercises.

A decline bench wouldnt provide the same effect as the boots at all, as with these I am suspended by my ankles allowing gravity to stretch out my entire spine. Also,a bench would take up alot of space, whereas I only need a bar across the doorway for the boots.