Your Questions Answered
The answers to just about every question we've had about squatting, and our PROPPR toilet stool range.
I don’t have ‘issues’ going to the bathroom, why do I need a PROPPR?
Using a toilet foot stool helps replicate the “squat” position on a pedestal toilet, which ‘unkinks’ the colon. When you PROP, or squat, the puborectalis muscle relaxes and your colon straightens.
Even if you ‘go’ regularly, the practice of PROPPing generally allows for a quicker, easier and more complete bowel movement and removes or reduces the need to strain or push.
Eliminating completely and often also helps to maintain good colon health and helps to reduce the potential for issues later in life.
And, doesn’t it just make sense to go the way nature intended?
How will using a PROPPR benefit my overall health?
The colon is the main organ for the storage and elimination of waste and toxins from our bodies. Going regularly and more completely reduces the build-up between each bowel movement and also the accumulation of toxins. With a more complete bowel movement we can help reduce the risk of many of the issues that affect us in modern western cultures such as bowel disease, constipation, haemorrhoids, bloating and many more.
Eliminating completely and often helps maintain good colon health. And when our colons are clearer our bodies stand a better chance of absorbing all the nutrients from the food we eat, allowing us to enjoy more energy.
Will it be the right height for me?
We did extensive testing and prototyping to come up with what we believe is the perfect height for most. The PROPPR is slanted on the top so depending on your preference you can turn the PROPPR around to have a different height.
Due to the slanted design of the PROPPR range, the height varies from 21.5cm-23.5cm for the standard Acer and 22-24cm for the timber toilet stools, while the NEW Acer Starter is a little it bit shorter at 17.5cm-19.5cm (slanted) high.
Our Acer ‘Starter‘ is designed for those with lower height toilets (say hello to our US friends in particular); folks just starting to PROP; or for those tall in stature with long legs.
How do I use it?
The PROPPR should sit neatly to the side of your toilet when not in use. Just bring it to the front of the toilet and put your feet on top of it when using.
Is the PROPPR as effective as squatting?
Squatting is the ultimate position because it’s how nature designed us to completely release. But, the reality is that the western pedestal toilet is not going to disappear overnight and those in cultures and countries that have them are not going to take to squatting en masse.
The PROPPR gets you comfortably close to the perfect squatting/releasing alignment (releasing the kink in your gut and allowing the colon to straighten) and is suitable for most levels of flexibility. The key is to have your knees higher than your hips. A toilet foot stool for toilets, like the PROPPR, helps you squat and sit at the same time!
Does the PROPPR come in different sizes/heights?
The average Australian toilet height (including the seat) is about 42-45cm tall, while the average toilet in the US is 14-16 inches.
We originally designed the PROPPR with the Australian toilet height in mind, so the gap between the top of the lid and the top of the PROPPR is roughly 20cm. We've subsequently also done this for the US market with a shorter Acer stool called the Starter.
It doesn’t matter how tall or short you are, the PROPPR is simply designed to get you about 20cm off the ground, and – MOST IMPORTANTLY – your knees higher than your hips.
As stated, we launched a shorter clear Acer in the US called the ‘Starter‘. It’s designed for those with lower height toilets (say hello to our US friends in particular); folks just starting to PROP; or for those tall in stature with long legs.
Due to the slanted design of the PROPPR range, the height varies from 21.5cm-23.5cm for the standard Acer (8.5-9.25 inches) and 22-24cm for the timber stools, while the Acer Starter is 17.5cm-19.5cm (7-7.75 inches) high.
My bathroom is small – will the PROPPR store easily?
Yes. We have designed the PROPPR to fit neatly and discretely to the side of your toilet no matter how small your bathroom.
Will it work with my toilet?
Yes – the PROPPR bathroom foot stool will work with any toilet. We deliberately designed the PROPPR NOT to wrap around the toilet pedestal for aesthetic reasons and also because of the wide variety of toilet designs available today. Also toilet heights vary so we chose a height that will be a good common denominator.
Is the PROPPR toilet foot stool easy to store and move?
Yes! Discrete, easy to manoeuvre and store… the PROPPR was deliberately designed not to wrap around the toilet pedestal for aesthetic reasons; and also due to the wide variety of bathroom sizes and toilet designs now available. It’s intended to fit neatly and discretely to the side of most toilets when not in use. This provides not only a better aesthetic, but also reduces the potential for it to be a trip hazard, given it can be easily tucked away. It also makes it much safer and easier to use for those with any mobility issues.
Is the PROPPR for men, women and children?
Yes absolutely! The PROPPR is for anyone. The standard range of PROPPR’s work well for men, women, teens and even the little ones in your family.
Generally for the PROPPR to be most effective the user’s height should to be at least 140cm or 4'7in. But if you have kids at home that are learning to potty train, they'll find the PROPPR useful to rest their feet on and alleviate sore bums.
If you have a young child that you think could benefit from a toilet stool please get in touch, as we can investigate the production of a stool at a bespoke height – we’ve done it before with great success for our little user.
Can I stand on the PROPPR?
No… The PROPPR has NOT been designed to take a person’s full weight. It will only take the weight of your legs resting on it when seated on the toilet. The angle on the top of the PROPPR has been deliberately designed so that you’re not prompted to step on it. Only use your PROPPR as a footrest / foot stool when sitting on the loo.
When you buy or receive a PROPPR, you agree that you’re not going to stand or sit on it – you’ll only use it as a footrest when sitting on your loo. Please tell anyone else that uses your PROPPR about the “No Step/Stand” rule.
Why not squat on the toilet seat?
You could squat on the toilet seat – but for many people in the Western world squatting is super difficult (due to our general lack of knee/hip flexibility). It’s also a little more dangerous with the risk of slipping or breaking the toilet seat – ouch! Using the PROPPR is a safe alternative. A toilet stool for western toilets gets you comfortably close to the perfect squatting/releasing alignment (releasing the kink in your gut and allowing the colon to straighten) and is suitable for most levels of flexibility.
Does the PROPPR have a secondary function?
Our firm belief is that if the PROPPR has a secondary function (like a magazine rack or toilet-roll holder) it would cease to be used for its primary function! We want the PROPPR to only be used for its intended purpose, ie PROPPing!
But we have been known to pop it under the desk when working or perhaps a sneaky at home pedicure.
But Strictly no STANDING!
What about hygiene and how do you clean the PROPPR?
The timber PROPPR is finished with a toxic-free varnish that will wipe down very easily. And the PROPPR Acer is made with waterproof anti-microbial acrylic. With any bathroom space, you have to keep things clean on a regular basis. If you wipe down the PROPPR with a damp cloth regularly, you will have one super hygienic item!
Is the PROPPR portable?
Yes. Although it doesn’t collapse, it can usually fit into your luggage with all your clothes and belongings packed around it. And we’ve been known to take it in its handy tote as carry-on luggage.
Are the timber stools waterproof?
The PROPPR Timber stools have been tested in high-traffic bathrooms as well as being subjected to many water and heat tests. The lacquer is water-repellant and is designed to repel moisture and direct water contact. But please don’t leave your PROPPR sitting in pooled water and don’t leave wet or damp items sitting on it; we recommend a wipe over only using a gentle non-toxic cleaner.
How long will it last?
Like any piece of furniture, with good care and respect, your PROPPR bathroom footrest should last decades, if not a lifetime. The PROPPR is built to last. This means less waste and more opportunities for heirloom PROPPR’s.
What if it doesn’t work or is uncomfortable?
We generally find using a poop foot rest can take from as little as a few days and up to several weeks for your body to adjust and enjoy pooping in the proper position. However it’s important to note that it’s not a cure for those who do have issues with colon health and digestive diseases and it doesn’t replace the need to consult with medical professionals.
Will the PROPPR assist my bowel problems?
Using the PROPPR may help with many bowel and digestive issues. But you won’t know until you try it. In cultures where squatting is the norm and the
bowel is emptied completely each day, the incidence of many common western bowel problems are extremely low. Anecdotally the PROPPR has
helped many people, and it certainly won’t do you any harm to try it!
Will using the PROPPR help with constipation?
Using the PROPPR may assist with constipation. You won’t know until you personally give it a go. Many factors could contribute to a blocked
colon: dehydration, lack of fibre in diet, lack of exercise or eating the wrong foods – so your constipation may not just be associated with your posture. Anecdotally, the PROPPR has helped many other people and it most certainly won’t cause any harm for you to try.
How does the PROPPR compare to similar products on the market?
There are a small range of bathroom foot stools on the market that offer similar benefits – but where the PROPPR differs is the style, design and environmental consideration. We aimed to create a beautiful, minimalist foot stool that would be a stylish addition to a designer bathroom. It’s a functional piece of bathroom furniture to be proud of.
It says you care about your health, yet you don’t need to sacrifice style! Also, at every point of the process we have endeavoured to use products that are environmentally sustainable, long wearing – and no cheap plastic!
Will my doctor approve?
Each doctor we have spoken with, whether it be your general practitioner, physical therapist or gastrointerologist all love the PROPPR and encourage its use! Our advice is to trust your own body and try it for yourself. The PROPPR is completely safe!
Does the PROPPR offer value for money?
The PROPPR is intended to be a one-off purchase for daily use, and if looked after, it will last a lifetime. We therefore believe it offers great value for money across the PROPPRs life. It’s a quality piece of furniture, manufactured to exacting specifications while utilising long-lasting, and in the case of the timber models, natural FSC Certified (sustainably grown) timbers.
In addition, consider the price of the PROPPR against the cost of ongoing treatments with health professionals or the purchase of laxatives and supplements that may not assist over the long term – the bowel can become addicted, or even immune, to these treatments. It’s not to say that these may not be necessary, but for some, the simple act of ‘propping’ may greatly reduce the need for these alternative or ongoing interventions.
Why can’t I use any old stool or turn up the bin?
Certainly you could, but the PROPPR was created to be the right height to best replicate the ‘squat’ position on the western pedestal toilet. It was designed for its purpose. Many stools on the market are simply not high enough to elevate the knees above the hips. Or they can be quite ‘chunky’ and hard to store, creating the potential for trip hazards and clutter. The PROPPR is a dedicated product for an intended purpose.
Why are there variations in the timber PROPPRs?
The timber PROPPR is made from naturally and sustainably grown resources. Each PROPPR will be slightly different in character and colour with cosmetic inconsistencies such as grain pattern, knots, mineral oxidation streaks, scars and growth rings. These natural timber characteristics add to its character and uniqueness.
Did you hear about the constipated composer?
He had problems with his last movement!
Have Another Question?
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