Review on Line Back Stretch Bench - Boost Your Endurance And Stamina by Hector Sosa

This is one of those reviews that has its good side and its bad side.It is easy to set up. The packing is extremely well done and the directions are very easy to follow. It is a very sturdy bench and it does stretch not only your lower back but also your thighs and calves. My chiropractor told me he wanted me on it 10 minutes daily. I only accomplished this after several days trying different methods (descriptions below). It is difficult to get down and up off it since it's suppose to be set up on the floor. I have a thickly padded area rug beside the bench so I can roll off the bench, get on my hands and knees then get up.The foam underarm supports caused my arms to go numb and my fingers to tingle. NOT good! I totally agree with the reviewer who suggested getting a chest strap to hold you in. I went one better. I went to the local box store and got a belt thinner from the athletic department of the store (Thank you Butch! Your idea works!) Then I went to the men's department and purchased a wide belt. Both are long enough to go around the machine and my waist. I attach myself with the velcro thinner belt then tighten the man's belt as tight as I can over the thinner belt. Both these totally relieve the underarm part of this bench to the point I don't have to use those numbing armpit supports. Also a must. wear thick socks! There is a lever that is on the right side. This is what you pull toward you when you are ready to start the stretching. This works very nicely since it is totally under my control. It is also used to release the stretch. It actually releases the bar that your ankles are locked into. It is spring loaded so when you push the lever forward that spring jerks my ankles, legs, thighs right back into the starting position which actually hurts because it puts a sudden hard slam on my already tender lower back. To get past the sudden release of the lever, along with the pain I get from it, I came up with the idea of undoing my belts first, get my feet out of their position, sit up THEN release the spring loaded lever. This works.I also added a pillow to support my neck and a rolled up pillow to support my knees. The pillow under my knees helps relieve the pressure off my knees while I'm stretching.The description says cushioned bench. Really? It's basically a board with barely enough vinyl padding on it to say it's padded.I really can't say how easy (or hard) it would be to keep setting it up and taking it down after each use. I'm under strict doctor's orders not to lift anything over 10 lbs from the floor so this stays set up in my spare bedroom with all my additions laid out.Since it's not an option to go upside down, this seemed a reasonable option (price was OK once I added my various pieces to make this work).