OPTP The Original Stretch Out Strap with Exercise Book, USA Made Top Choice Stretch Out Straps for Physical Therapy, Yoga Stretching Strap and Knee Therapy Strap

Updated January 28, 2013: I continue to use this strap and it's in new condition - no fraying or discoloration. I see that the price came down notably too. Other colors are available now too. Also, a lot of physical therapists demonstrate techniques using it on YouTube....This is a very sturdy, strong high-quality strap. The length of it is a series of loops. It will outlast us.I first experienced this at the physical therapist's office and was instructed in its use. Physical therapists call it "the green strap" because supposedly they're all green no matter who makes them. The instruction booklet that comes with it shows far more stretches than I was taught at therapy, so you're pretty well covered.I've used this strap for 2 years now and it works. You can easily stretch your hamstrings, hips & quads in as challenging a manner as you want with this strap.Although the manual shows many positions for using the strap, I only use it while lying on my back. As an example, you can place the ball of your foot in an end loop and pull one of the other loops such that your leg is straight up and hold it there, and you can make it as challenging as you like. Then you also pull your leg to each side, one side at a time, and pull up on the strap to try to make your leg perpendicular to your back, and again hold it there. This takes a lot of pressure off the sciatic nerve and should be part of the stretching routine that accompanies the muscle strengthening routines that you need to do.An important point is this: even if you have a good routine with stretching, you will still be able to accomplish things with this strap that you couldn't otherwise. Once you try it, it will be intuitive.The best tip I can give is to use something thicker than a typical yoga mat, the thicker the better. The one excuse I used to skip using the strap is that the floor is too hard even with a thin yoga mat. I solved that by getting an exercise mat that is probably 3 times as thick as a typical yoga mat. I attached this one since it looks a little like mine, although this is not the one I got and so I cannot vouch for it. But think about finding a thick mat of some kind so that you'll enjoy using the strap. Everlast Roll up Exercise Mat

Likes:Great product for fitness friend.Elastic is goodBand is durable and helpfulExercise book is a plus.Concerns:The person this was gifted to had none.Kept or Returned?Kept and the person that this was gifted too was happy with the gift.Thanks for your time and I hope this review was helpful.

I previously rated this product a 1 because we thought we hadn't received it. When getting our recyclables ready to return today, we discovered the strap tucked between the packaging in a box that had another item. We did receive it, in perfect condition. I apologize profusely to the seller and want to remove my poor rating. The product is excellent - very strong, well made and very easy to use. The strap gives you many options to find the perfect length for your needs. I heartily recommend this product and seller.

It suredly has strengthened my toes and feet.

I love my new strap for stretching. I've read some of the other reviews that I believe to be unfair and incorrect comparisons to other brands. Yes there are other brands that are a few $$$ cheaper, however, they are also shorter. This brand is 6 ft (72 inches) long with 10 loops and the other brands are shorter. As for not being stretchy, it's the body parts that should be doing the stretching. I'm a former dancer {extremely tight tendons and muscles and have ignored basic rules regarding warm up periods so now I have issues.) The 6 ft length allows more benefit for all body parts in all directions. 72 inches. I'm happy with my product and highly recommend it especially for older folks who have lost flexibility through the years. Work it while you watch TV!

Great to help stretch after knee surgery - and discovered it also helps with stretching for low back pain. Sturdy & well made. Excellent value.

Why use a length of rope (or worse) to do exercises like hamstring stretches when you can have a tool designed specifically for the job? You can loop one end over a foot and grab the other end with one hand or two, at various distances. Very comfortable, very sturdy. PT recommended.

Strong and sturdy