Richard Gere Challenge - Using Gravity Boots

Описание: By Mike Holman JD, CPT

Many of you saw a young Richard Gere in American Gigolo hanging upside down like a bat. If you're interested in buying a picture of Richard hanging upside down with his shirt off, they are sold on E-Bay. You can see me hanging upside down for free in the accompanying video, but with my shirt on.

I've been hanging upside down; using gravity or inversion boots from about the time Richard Gere started the fad. Hanging helps my back. I do a number of exercises that compress my spine. Hanging upside down decompresses my spine.

As you'll see in the video, I incorporate shoulder stretches as part of my hanging routine. I also do sit ups, which strengthen my core. I perform these sit ups with a number of other abdominal exercises, that I'll show you in future video blog.

When I started hanging upside down, the blood rush to my head was uncomfortable. So I started slowly and gradually increased my hang time. Now, I hang for about 2 to 3 minutes. My face gets red, but I don't feel uncomfortable.

Before you attempt to hang upside down, check with your physician. Hanging may be dangerous for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or glaucoma. Also you need to have the strength to mount and dismount. I suggest that you be able to do at least 10 good pull-ups. Each time you hang upside down, make sure you check to see that the bull and its supports are secure. You want a solid structure that will support your weight and then some. You want to make sure that your gravity/inversion boots are in good condition and all latches and clasps are closed.

Make healthy lifestyle choices and lead a longer, healthier life.