Body Lift Exercise Equipment

Gaiam Inc. manufactures the Body Lift exercise prop, also referred to as Yogacise Body Lift, as an exercise and yoga aid. Gaiam Inc., founded in 1988, distributes information and goods geared toward healthy lifestyles, and environmental and economic sustainability. The Body Lift assists in performing headstands, or sirsasana, and may provide health benefits such as increased flexibility and improved muscle tone.

Identification

Gaiam highlights the Body Lift as a three-in-one exercise prop. Not only is it used as a headstand aid, but also as a meditation seat and a portable weight training equipment piece. It features a solid metal frame, ample padding and sturdy handles. The padding provides support during a headstand position to alleviate vertebrae or disk compression. It has a 16-inch shoulder span and supports up to 250 lbs., according to Gaiam.

History

Headstands are often part of inversion therapy, a system that encourages inverted exercises for health benefits. Yogis used inversion methods as early as 3000 BC, which were later popularized in the 1960's by Dr. Robert Martin, according to Teeter Hang Ups. Martin addressed the positive effects of inversion therapy, and created an inversion table to assist his patients. By the 1980s, more than 40 companies were producing inversion products, which created widespread availability.

Features

The Body Lift features a padded area to rest your shoulders as you hoist yourself into headstand position, along with padded handles for support. It also features two adjustable tension straps, which you can attach to the Body Lift to perform strength training exercises. Strength training and yoga performed on the Body Lift can help meet the American College of Sports Medicine's physical activity guidelines. Gaiam also includes an instructional manual and DVD with the Body Lift to help teach correct form and procedures.

Function

The Body Lift prop serves to help you with inverted poses, which may offer health benefits such as headache and fatigue relief, according to GaiamLife. It may also improve your balance, memory, focus and digestion, GaiamLife reports. The Body Lift also serves as a tool for resistance training when you utilize the accompanying tension straps for exercises such as dips and pushups. Used as an off-the-floor mediation seat, the Body Lift functions as a comfortable sitting aid to perform seated meditation practices.

Benefits

Inversion practices positively influence the cardiovascular, endocrine, lymphatic and nervous systems, according to "Yoga Journal." Performing headstands can lower heart rate and trigger sympathetic activation, reports "The Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology." Inversion therapy, such as headstands, can improve back conditions, benefit the circulatory system and assist lymph fluid circulation, according to Sportsinjuryclinic.net.