People ask what the Trainer is made of for three different reasons: they want to know it will not splinter or wobble, they want to know whether it is vegan and what the "leather" actually is, and they want to know whether a wooden product shipped across Europe is as sustainable as it looks. Here are the answers, part by part.
What is the FeetUp Trainer frame made of?
Solid beech wood. Beech is the European hardwood used for workbenches, tool handles and bentwood chairs because it is dense, fine-grained and does not splinter. FeetUp uses A+ grade boards, meaning no knots or defects in the load-bearing parts, and the edges are rounded and sanded smooth so that nothing catches skin or clothing.
The frame is two U-shaped halves joined by a cross structure. That geometry is what lets a 5 kg object carry a lab-tested 900 kg (2,000 lb) static load, which we explain in detail in FeetUp Trainer weight limit: what we tested.
| Part | Material | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Solid beech, A+ grade, sustainably sourced | Dense hardwood; resists bending; no splinters |
| Cushion (The Original and Upgraded) | Vegan leather, 100% phthalate-free | Animal-free, wipe-clean, skin-safe |
| Cushion (Honey Chai models) | Fabric cover | Softer, warmer feel; removable for washing |
| Feet | Patented anti-slip rubber pads | Grip on wood floors, tiles and mats; protect the floor |
| Hardware kit | Steel screws and washers | Assembles in about 5 minutes with the included key |
| Packaging | Biodegradable | No foam, no plastic bags |
Is the FeetUp cushion real leather? Is the Trainer vegan?
The cushion is vegan leather, and the Trainer is an ethical vegan product with no animal-derived components. The material is 100% phthalate-free, which matters because phthalates are the plasticisers that regulators restrict in products with prolonged skin contact. Your shoulders sit on this cushion with bare skin, so this is not a detail.
If you prefer fabric, the Honey Chai editions come with a soft, water-resistant fabric cover instead. On the Upgraded model (2023 onward) the cushion attaches with FeetUp's patented Easy-Click system, no screws or holes, so you can swap or wash it in seconds.
Where is the FeetUp Trainer made?
In Romania, in FeetUp's own family-owned factory, which the company built from scratch so that every piece could be hand-made under one roof to German quality standards. The brand itself started in the Allgäu region of Germany: founder Kilian Trenkle made the first Trainer in the old family workshop after noticing in his first yoga class in 2008 that everyone wanted a headstand and nobody looked safe doing one.
Made in the EU means EU labour and chemical rules, a short supply chain to European customers, and a factory you can write to.
How sustainable is the FeetUp Trainer?
- Wood from sustainably managed forests. The beech is sourced from sustainably managed European forests; the sister brand WoodPower carries FSC certification for its props.
- One tree per Trainer. Every FeetUp Trainer sold plants a new tree through Trees for the Future (trees.org), which works with smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Biodegradable packaging and recycled materials where they can be used in the vegan leather and frame.
- Built to last. The most sustainable product is the one you do not replace. Owners write to us about Trainers in daily use after years: "My wife and I have been using ours for years, great prop!" A one-year warranty is standard, and FeetUp Care extends it to three years.
How do I clean and care for the wood and cushion?
Wipe the vegan-leather cushion with a damp cloth and mild soap; no solvents. Wash the Honey Chai fabric cover according to its label. Dust the frame and, if you like, treat it once a year with a natural wood oil. Keep it out of standing water and direct radiator heat, which is the only thing that can warp a hardwood frame. Check the screws every few months; wood moves slightly with the seasons and a quarter turn keeps everything silent.
What is the difference between The Original and the Upgraded model?
The materials are the same. The Upgraded model adds the Easy-Click cushion, a second removable cushion in the box, and weighs about 7 kg instead of about 5 kg. Both are the same 64 × 40 × 40 cm frame, both are tested to the same 900 kg load, and both are made in the same factory. The FeetUp Trainer product page lists the current frame colours (Classic, Honey, Chocolate) and cushion options.
Why does the material matter for safety?
Because you are going to put your full body weight on it, upside down, with your head hanging through the middle. A frame that does not flex, feet that do not slip on a wooden floor, and a cushion that is kind to bare skin are not comfort details at that moment; they are what let you relax into the inversion instead of bracing against the prop. That is the whole reason the Trainer is built from hardwood, rubber and phthalate-free vegan leather.
Want to know if it is the right prop for your body? Take the two-minute FeetUp quiz, then look at the FeetUp Trainer in the finish you like. It ships with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What wood is the FeetUp Trainer made from?
Solid beech wood, A+ grade, sustainably sourced from European forests, hand-finished with rounded, sanded edges.
Is the FeetUp Trainer vegan?
Yes. The cushion is 100% phthalate-free vegan leather (or a fabric cover on the Honey Chai models) and the Trainer contains no animal-derived components.
Where is the FeetUp Trainer manufactured?
In Romania, in FeetUp's own family-owned factory, to German quality standards. The brand originated in the Allgäu region of Germany in 2010.
Does FeetUp really plant a tree for every Trainer?
Yes. Every FeetUp Trainer sold plants a new tree through Trees for the Future (trees.org).
Last updated 2026-11-04. Written by the FeetUp Team; facts checked against the FeetUp product manual, the live product specification and the sources linked in the text.
