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Vanko Trading Inc
2777 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
724-359-2289
Vanko Trading Inc
2777 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
724-359-2289
Last week the Teeter Hang Ups Teeter Fit-100 Inversion Table was released to a handful of select retailers, including Better Health Innovations. I had some hands-on time with the new table when it was unveiled at the Health+Fitness Business Expo last month in Las Vegas. I also spent quite a bit of time with the folks from Teeter, including their founder, Roger Teeter. In this post, I will walk you through the new Fit-100 inversion table and describe how it compares with other tables in the Teeter Hang Ups line. I also cover other (non-Teeter) tables at the Fit-100′s price point.
This table is being launched at $289, but we are currently discounting it to $229. At this price it competes with the other budget Teeter Hang Ups table, the Fitform at $219. Going from a Teeter Fitform up to the Fit-100 for an extra $10 will depend on the features you want (mainly the bed design), but going from the Fit-100 to the $299 EP-550 is a more difficult choice. I’ll cover this in more detail below.
Teeter Hang Ups Background
First, a quick bit about Teeter Hang Ups: They have been in the inversion business for more than 30 years, longer than any other inversion table manufacturer. Teeter is the only company that demonstrates their commitment to quality by having their tables independently tested and certified to UL 1647, making them the only company with tables that carry the UL mark. Most notably, inversion products are the only products offered by Teeter Hang Ups, making inversion tables their sole focus. All other inversion tables are from companies who produce all sorts of equipment. In fact, most competing tables are produced by Asian contract manufacturers who make all sorts of products and sold in the US by marketing companies.
Fit-100 Features & Impressions
The Fit-100 carries the UL Mark, which is impressive for a table at the price. In order to have the UL Mark, an inversion table must be tested by an independent lab to a 400% safety factor and for 30,000 cycles.
“Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. We have tested products for public safety for more than a century. Each year, more than 17 billion UL Marks are applied to products worldwide.”
© Copyright 2002 Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc. (www.ul.com)
© Copyright 2002 Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc. (www.ul.com)
The Teeter Fit100 incorporates their new FitFlex inversion table bed. This is a two-piece injection molded bed that provides a rigid and secure feel while flexing enough for the user to move and stretch while on the table at partial inversion. Other tables in the Teeter Hang Ups line have either a one piece molded bed (the Flex Technology bed on the EP series), or a stretched nylon bed, like on the Fitform. 
I found the FitFlex bed to be comfortable enough, and it may provide a bit more support than the Flex Technology bed. I prefer this type of inversion table bed over the stretched nylon. In fact, many people find the stretched nylon on other tables to be extremely uncomfortable, especially those with back pain to the point where laying on a hard, flat surface causes lower back pain.
When you look at a table, it is easy to focus on the bed. However, when you are on a table I feel that the ankle clamps to be more important for the inversion experience. A poorly designed ankle clamp will feel insecure and even painful. The ankle clamps on the new table are similar to other Teeter Hang Ups ankle clamps. The foot rest portion rotates in order to adjust for larger or smaller feet, which goes a long way in providing a feeling of security and comfort. For most people, the ankle clamps on the new model will be just fine in terms of comfort and security.
Like all other Teeter inversion tables, the Fit-100 has a very smooth rotation and “controlled lock out” at full inversion. This lock out means that the table bed rotates a little past full inversion so the user can do exercises and stretches while completely vertical. The new table also has stretch handles, which is optional on more expensive models like the EP-550. These handles, located on the top of the A-frame allow the user to reach up while inverted and push with their hands to receive a bit of manual decompression of the back.
Obviously, to get the Fit-100 down to the pricing they wanted, Teeter had to leave out some features found on the next expensive model, the EP-550. Unlike the more expensive models, the main shaft is not chrome plated. The main shaft is the part that the ankle clamps attach to and it moves in and out of the bed frame to adjust for user height. Chrome is an extremely hard finish and resistant to wear caused from moving in and out of the frame. It is still a high quality (black) finish, and will not be a big deal for a users who do not have to move the height adjustment often. We do know several husband-wife users who have to adjust the height when switching between themselves. In this situation, we would recommend a machine with a chrome plated main shaft, such as the EP-550.
Another noticeable feature not on the Fit-100 are corner feet. Again, not a huge thing. I do like the corner feet on the more expensive models as they extend the area the table contacts the floor. Without the corner feet, the Fit100 was plenty stable though.
The new table comes with support material that exceeds what comes with similar priced models. However, it does not come with a DVD, which is kind of odd since the lower priced Fitform does come with a DVD. I think that this may be a feature missed by users. Our recommendation with the EP Series models is to play the DVD on a computer or TV close by while the table is being assembled. We have decided to offer our Inversion Coaching Program free of charge with the Fit-100, which should help make up for the lack of a DVD.
Teeter beats competing models with warranty (2 years for this table), but the warranty period is less than half that of the Teeter EP series.
Competing Models
The main competitor in this price range to this table are a couple models with the Ironman brand name. Honestly, I am not that familiar with the Ironman brand, but I have tried their tables on several occasions. The last I had heard, they had gone out of business and sold the name to another company. I’m not sure who is making Ironman now, but the tables are still available. A couple years ago Ironman tables had weld failure issues resulting in a recall. Most noticeably in comparison, the Fit-100 has a smoother rotation, more comfortable foot clamps, and is much less complicated. Ironman tables do not carry the UL Mark, so I presume they are not tested to the safety factors of Teeter inversion tables. Also unlike the Teeter models, they do not have the two year warranty or 30 day money back trial period (we extend this to 90 days for any Teeter models sold through our Better Health Innovations site).
Purchasing any Teeter Inversion Table through our Better Health Innovations site, you will receive several upgrades our competitors simply can not match, such as our 90 day personal coaching program, 90 day return period, price guarantee, and more. Click Here For Details
Deciding between the Fit-100 and the EP-550 is a bit more tricky. This is a bit like comparing a high-end Toyota to a Lexus. Both are world-class quality, and while you won’t be disappointed with the lower cost option, you won’t get the features of the higher-end model. So, here’s some basic guidance:
If you absolutely can not afford a $299 Teeter EP-550, then go with the Fit100. You won’t be disappointed, and your back will thank you for years.
If you plan on using the table a couple times a day on a regular basis, or if there is more than one person in the household using the table, then try to stretch to a Teeter EP-550.I would feel more comfortable using an EP-series table for heavy regular use, especially with the longer five year warranty period of the EP-550 versus the two year warranty on the Fit-100.
Teeter FIT 100: What You Need To Know
- Teeter’s Budget Inversion Table ($229)
- Very smooth and stable inversion
- UL Tested and Certified for Medical Equipment and to the UL inversion table standard
- 2 Year Warranty
- A good buy, but go with the EP-550 if you can.
Bottom line: The Fit-100 is a great table, especially for the price.
Remember that purchasing any Teeter Inversion Table through our Better Health Innovations site, you will receive several upgrades our competitors simply can not match, such as our 90 day personal coaching program, 90 day return period, price guarantee, and more.
If you have any questions about the any of the Teeter inversion tables, please give us a call/email. If you would like a to share your questions or experiences, please leave a comment below!
Let’s be honest: counting calories is hard. Not only do you have to record every little thing you eat, but you also must find out how many calories are in each dish. Going out to eat becomes daunting! How will you figure out the calories of that delectable lasagna at your favorite restaurant? And forget going out for drinks and appetizers with friends! So, while everyone knows that counting calories is one of the most effective steps to losing weight, not everyone is able to stick with it.
MyFitnessPal can be your helping hand through the stress-inducing world of counting calories. This online community acts as a diet coach, a motivating friend, and a fitness and calorie record book. Plus, it’s easy to use and very accessible.
Getting started is simple. After creating a username, you enter your basic information into the system: current weight, goal weight, height, age, activity level, and workout goals. MyFitnessPal uses this data to create a suggested weight loss plan specifically for you that includes recommended daily caloric intake and exercise. You’re also told how much weight you will lose over a five-week period if you stick to their program; seeing your projected weight loss is a great motivator!
Keeping track of calories is incredibly simple. The database has over 1 million foods, ranging from a specific Giada de Laurentiis recipe to one slice of Hillshire Farms deli meat. The system also lets you enter your own recipes and calculates the entire dish’s caloric content ingredient by ingredient. When you type in a food, be as specific as possible (i.e. try “Lay’s baked potato chips” instead of “potato chips”) and you’ll find your food quicker. The system also remembers the foods you eat most and saves them for easy entry later.
Your daily food diary includes a nutrient summary. The summary lists all major nutrients from cholesterol to protein to Vitamin C and includes how much you should consume each day and how many you have left for the day.
Recording exercise is just as easy as food. Type in “running,” and you’re given a number of times and speeds to choose from. A downside of MyFitnessPal is that the database of fitness activities is not as large as the food database, but you’ll still be able to find most regular exercises. MyFitnessPal uses your recorded exercise to calculate how many calories you have burned; this number is subtracted from your total calories for the day. So the more you exercise, the more you can eat!
When you register, you’re given the option to invite your friends to join; simply enter their email addresses. As you probably know, dieting with friends is mutually beneficial. It’s a support system that keeps everyone involved in the dieting, encourages improved fitness, and celebrates your weight loss. Obviously, it’s a recommended step! However, MyFitnessPal also has forums, which are an excellent alternative to inviting your friends. Everyone posting is very excited to be part of the community and is ready to motivate others. You can browse through topics about nutrition, recipes, fitness tips, and more. If you have any questions, you’ll be able to find someone to answer it.
If you stop recording your food, MyFitnessPal steps in as a virtual trainer and emails you, reminding you to keep up with your weight loss program if you want to lose weight!
Bottom line: MyFitnessPal is incredibly easy to use, convenient, and an excellent tool to develop healthy dieting and weight loss habits. Plus, there’s a free iPhone and Android application, making it easy to take your weight loss habits on the road.
Liz Childers contributes to a number of blogs, including the official blog of Knife Depot.
Your Body
You can’t jump-start anything, especially your productivity, if you don’t keep your body happy. Nobody is happy when it doesn’t get enough sleep. Although skimping on an hour here or there might seem like no big deal, it can add up and make you a cranky and unproductive mess. Routine tasks can become horrendous burdens that end up riddled with mistakes and taking triple the time they normally would with adequate shut-eye. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each day – not each week or month. Try going to bed one hour earlier than usual and see how peppy, energetic and ready for action it makes you.
A happy body is also one that gets adequate nutrition with a balanced diet and regular exercise. A balanced diet does not mean one selection from each row in the vending machine, either. Fruits, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates keep your body purring along at optimum capacity. Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day cuts down on stress, improves your mood and staves off fat. It can also be a prime time to get the creative juices flowing since you can let your mind relax and thoughts come easily.
Your Brain
Kicking out worry, stress and all the cluttered thoughts that clog your brain like crusty rust is a must if you want to be productive at all. A brain that is oozing with worry will, in turn, only oozes out half-hearted efforts that are probably again riddled with errors. Exercise helps greatly in this arena, as does taking at least 30 minutes or more each day to spend just relaxing in meditation.
True, relaxing for 30 whole minutes might seem like the exact opposite of being productive, but it’s really not. Carving out time to sit quietly, relax — and actually breathe — can help soften the crusty brain rust so you can rinse it out and delve into your tasks with a clear channel that can think. Meditation is not necessarily filled with chants and Tibetan singing bowls – although it can be – but is really just a time to cool your brain, focus on your breath and soothe your soul.
Your Surroundings
Organization is a major player when you’re learning how to jump-start your productivity. In fact, it’s actually key. Just like a cluttered brain leads to crummy work, a cluttered workspace can produce results that are equally as haphazard. Keep a filing cabinet, or at least a filing system, where you store all those important documents you always need but can never seem to find. Keep your work surface clean, clear and open so you have room to actually put your current task in front of you. Go through those little scraps of paper at least once a week to throw out the ones you’ve completed, file the ones you need to hang onto and chuck the ones that never really mattered in the first place.
Lists are a very effective tool for jump-starting your productivity, provided you don’t get addicted to them and spend all your time making new ones. It also helps if you write legibly and keep more than one list, organized by priority. Keep a separate list for all those little tasks that take a few minutes here and there to do in one lump time sum. Sticking them between larger tasks only serves to distract your train of thought away from the more important work. Busy work, it’s called. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to get busy with that work while you put the more important stuff on their own separate lists.
Prioritizing lists by deadlines is one way to go about it. But you can also organize lists according to your rhythm of productivity. If you’re first task of the day is still performed with rust in your brain, for instance, stick something easy at the top. If you’re the type that gets a running start, stick your most difficult task at the top so you have the most energy to get it out of the way.
Making your tasks fun is another key when figuring out how to jump-start your productivity. Intersperse more amusing tasks between big, heavy ones. Schedule time for relaxation, meditation or exercise after a particularly heady task so you have something to look forward to when you’re done. Get your sleep, eat your bran flakes, organize your desk and watch your productivity grow.
About the author: Diane Johnson primarily writes about online classes and anything else that interests her. She enjoys traveling, reading, and shopping.
In this short article, we’ll discuss the frustrating problem men often face with weight loss, as well as a few effective strategies for fighting the bulge head-on.
Despite the countless weight loss programs, fad diets, and other so-called “systems” that are promoted through various media in today’s day and age, the world still faces a huge problem with obesity. In fact, a recent study revealed that a shocking 70 percent of European and Americans are overweight (a BMI in excess of 25).
Now, if you ask men over 18 years of age if they’re following any type of weight loss diet, 3 in 4 respondents will surprisingly answer to the affirmative. This points to one simple truth: Most of these diet programs are not effective.
What factors work against a fat loss program designed for males? For men, the nature of dieting itself, the pressures and conveniences of modern living, and a lack of adherence to a regular exercise program make losing weight a challenge. Compared to women, men are luckier however. They have faster metabolisms which make it easier for them to shed excess pounds. Despite this fact, man are voracious eaters by nature and a strict dieting regimen can often leave them feeling deprived, a reason why so many men find it hard to adhere to a diet regimen.
Weight loss for men is also made more challenging due to the pressures that they have to face. Aside from the fact that the majority of them are the breadwinners for their family, men often hold positions of increased responsibility which only add to the stress levels in their lives. Lack of time to rest and overeating make shedding the pounds doubly difficult. When added to modern conveniences that promote a sedentary lifestyle like computers, television, escalators, cars and elevators, these factors make weight loss for men seemingly more difficult to accomplish.
However, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. When men seriously take advantage of their body’s naturally fast metabolisms and undertake a fitness regimen that hinges on sensible eating, regular exercise, and stress management, losing weight becomes a battle that is indeed winnable for the male population.
Instead of yo-yo or crash dieting, men should focus on a diet plan that allows for unlimited intake of the right types of food. A weight loss diet program that allows them to eat whenever they feel hungry by choosing foods that are high in nutrition but contain fewer calories. Fat-burning foods like vegetables and clean protein (quinoa, beans, fish, chicken, etc.) are just a few of the food sources that men can eat in virtually unlimited quantities. It satisfies their hunger without adding fat to their bellies. If on the go, substituting a healthy meal replacement product such as a Shakeology shake is also acceptable, assuming it isn’t loaded with empty calories and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame.
Weight loss for men also necessitates exercise. Contrary to what many people will tell you, it’s not so much the kind of exercise that counts but a strict adherence to it. Whether it’s performing bodyweight exercises at home like the P90X workout or lifting weights in the gym, what matters most is that there is a consistent schedule that is followed. No man will ever experience serious and lasting weight loss without following a regular exercise regimen.
Hopefully this article has delivered some useful tips on the topic of men’s weight loss. Remember, losing weight is a journey and it doesn’t happen overnight — a clear plan and consistency are required in order to see real, worthwhile weight loss results.
Check our fitness equipment center at BHI site
There are plenty of gimmicks for losing weight, but nothing works better than the tried-and-true combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise. If you’re trying your best to eat right and work out, but aren’t seeing results, there are several modifications you can make for better results. For example, mixing up your workout to incorporate new activities will keep your body from experiencing plateaus, and infusing your diet with new foods can jump start your metabolism and provide great results.
Certain foods are known to help promote weight loss. For good results, try adding a few of these foods to your diet every week. Healthy, nutrient-rich foods paired with regular exercise should be all you need to lose weight — no crazy supplements or gimmicks necessary.
1. Green Tea – Okay, it’s actually a drink, but you get the idea. Green tea is one of nature’s healthiest products. Adding a couple cups of green tea to your daily diet can boost your metabolism and keep your body burning calories all day. This increase in your body’s energy expenditure is great for weight loss.
2. Yogurt – Experts always go back and worth on how dairy affects weight loss, but most agree that unsweetened yogurt is nearly a perfect food. Its combination of protein, calcium and healthy fats is a great source of nutrition for your body. Yogurt also helps to promote fullness, which results in you eating less, and studies show that people who regularly consume yogurt burn more fat than those who don’t. As an added bonus, the natural probiotics in yogurt help to regulate your digestive system.
3. Almonds – Almonds are high in protein and healthy fats, and even just a handful can stave off hunger. They’re the perfect food for a mid-day snack at the office, and far healthier than anything in your office vending machine. Almonds also contain a property that regulates blood sugar, which is great for maintaining a healthy weight. Spikes and dips in blood sugar can lead to feelings of hunger and higher insulin production, which increases abdominal fat.
4. Quinoa – This whole grain is packed with protein and fiber, something that white rice sorely lacks. Replacing processed carbs like white rice with whole grains like quinoa will infuse your diet with nutrients while also keeping you full longer.
5. Salmon – Salmon is loaded with Omega-3s, healthy fats that actually promote fat burning and metabolism. Omega-3s are also known to keep your heart healthy, which is why they’re often sold in supplement form. An added benefit of eating salmon is that the protein keeps you full while promoting muscle health. And the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day.
Richard Monello is the President and CEO of Custom Health Plans, which offers individual health insurance quotes and provides affordable health insurance to individuals, families, small businesses and the self-employed.
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