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1. With the hand bar above the head and the vertical column in mid-position,
grasp the crossbar with elbows bent and balance in an upright position.
The user controls how much upper body weight to transfer from
the spine to the hands and arms according to needs, abilities
and comfort level. While walking, the spine is naturally massaged
due to a stretching and relaxing effect caused by the reciprocating
motion of the legs. The shoulders, biceps and forearms also stretch
and strengthen, while reducing the weight-bearing load on the
spine, as well as on the ankle, knee, leg and hip joints.
2. Higher positions of the crossbar stretch the spine and stretch
and strengthen the arms, shoulders, upper torso and abs. At the
same time they reduce the weight-bearing load on the spine, as
well as on ankle, knee, leg and hip joints.
3. For this basic exercise adjust the crossbar to knee level and fully
forward to maximize usable length of the treadmill surface. Support
the upper body with the hands and shift the feet back so that
the spine is almost horizontal. This lessens the axial forces
from body weight on the spine and shifts it more evenly to both
hands and legs. Stretching the legs as far back as possible with
feet flat on the treadmill belt while walking helps stretch the
hamstrings. Arm and shoulder muscles get more exercise. Arm, shoulder,
and abdominal muscle groups strengthen. This exercise is particularly
effective for relieving pain in those with spinal stenosis, arthritis
of the back, and spondylolisthesis.
4. With the crossbar at mid-hip to mid-waist level, depending on comfort
and ability, and the vertical supports posts at mid-range, grasp
the bar and lean forward. Exert a downward thrust on the bar -
in other words, push on it. This shifts more of the load from
the lower back to the bar, and there is a significant decrease
in both pain and pressure. While walking, there is a beneficial
massaging effect on the spine with the addition of upper arm and
wrist strengthening exercise. Exerting more pressure on the bar
strengthens abdominal muscles. The shoulders, biceps and forearms
also stretch and strengthen. Again, the amount of upper body load
put on the bar can be modified for pain management and a comfortable,
yet effective, low impact aerobic workout. Low-impact aerobic
exercises are excellent for those with osteoporosis.
5. The softly padded arm support platform offers room for a variety
of hand and arm positions for shifting upper body weight. Leaning
forward on the platform is particularly effective in increasing
the space between the facet joints in the lumbar spine. It combines
safety, balance and adaptability and affords longer-lasting, more
effective workouts, while still providing a healthful massaging
effect on the spine while walking. People in tremendous pain from
such conditions as spinal stenosis, lumbar facet arthritis, or
spondylolisthesis find they can walk using the platform support
with minimal discomfort. And, they gain upper body strength, agility
and stamina while reducing stress on their lower extremities.
6. A push of a button adjusts the platform from shoulder to waist-level
for posture changes. With the platform lowered to waist or pelvic
level, the lumbar facet spaces open even more fully; and it is
easy to support even more upper body weight on the arms or forearms.
This puts the spine in a virtually weight-free condition. There
is an added benefit of a healthful massaging effect on the spine
while walking due to the reciprocating motion of the legs. And,
while exercising, there's the option of catching up on a book
or report, reading or sending email, or watching TV or video.
Since the platform attaches to the spinoFLEX frame and not to
the treadmill, it's almost vibration free, providing a better
support for a TV, laptop or book.
7. With the handgrips at the above-head level and with every step
there is a stretching effect upon the arms along with a massaging
effect on the spine. The user controls the amount of upper body
weight to transfer from the spine to the hands and arms according
to his needs, abilities and comfort level. This exercise stretches
the spine and stretches and strengthens the arms, shoulders, upper
torso and abs. At the same time they reduce the weight-bearing
load on the spine, as well as on ankle, knee, leg and hip joints.
8. Move the handgrips to slightly below waist level and the vertical
columns fully forward., tilting the grips for comfort for this
posture change. Walk at a steady pace. Here there are additional
opportunities for strengthening different groups of shoulder,
chest and arm muscles. Adjust the grips' tilt for this change
in posture. This not only makes it more comfortable, but it provides
higher levels of safety, support and balance.
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Exercises 1 & 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercises 5 & 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
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