InstaFlex is a flexibility supplement that also has benefits for joint health and mobility. It is a chondroitin-free pill that utilizes a selection of other ingredients in order to achieve its claims of lowered pain and increased ease and range of movement. They are connected to the Katz Clinic, an unaccredited online source for health and wellness information.
InstaFlex lists all of the ingredients and their dosage amounts on their website, which is helpful for determining overall quality and whether or not a specific product is right for you. The ingredients that they mention are:
Glucosamine Sulfate
MSM
White Willow Bark Extract
Ginger Root Extract
Turmeric Root Extract
Cayenne Fruit
Hyaluronic Acid
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Glucosamine Sulfate: Their website claims that InstaFlex is glucosamine-free, however one glance at the ingredients list buried inside the FAQ’s clearly shows that glucosamine sulfate is one of the top additives. It makes sense why they would use it – glucosamine is one of the more popular and effective ingredients for joint supplements on the market today. It is irresponsible, however, to mislead consumers, especially because InstaFlex bills themselves as a popular alternative for those individuals that have allergies to other supplements.
MSM: Derived from fruits and green plants, methylsulfonylmethane is a chemical that has gained steadily in popularity in recent years. It is one of the more effective additives for helping with joint health and functionality and is considered safe for most users.
White Willow Bark Extract: A pain reliever similar to aspirin that has been used for centuries. It has been shown to be highly effective in some circumstances, however it also carries with it some potentially serious side effects including:
Reye’s Syndrome: Children that consume white willow bark are at an elevated risk for contracting Reye’s Syndrome, a serious condition that affects the brain and liver. It is not recommended that children consume any products containing white willow bark.
Kidney Disease: Kidney failure has been seen in some willow bark consumers due to the reduced blood flow to the organs. It is not recommended that anyone with preexisting kidney diseases consume any products containing white willow bark.
People with sensitivities to asthma, ulcers, diabetes, gout, hemophilia, liver disease, or hypoprothrombinemia have also had serious reactions to white willow bark and should avoid use.
Ginger Root Extract: Ginger has traditionally been used to treat a number of GI ailments including nausea, motion sickness, colic, gas, and diarrhea. It also has shown applications for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, making it a popular choice in a number of joint health supplements. Ginger is thought to be LIKELY SAFE for general use, though pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid overconsumption. Other reported side effects of ginger have included:
Increased insulin and lowered blood sugar levels, which could pose complications for consumers with diabetes.
Exacerbation of pre-existing heart conditions.
Increased risk of bleeding.
Turmeric: A spice that’s most known for lending curry its flavor, turmeric is also popular as a medicinal herb in India. Ayurvedic medicine uses it as a mood stabilizer, an anti-inflammatory, and a blood thinner. It has also shown some potential to aid in joint health and mobility, however there is little clinical evidence to support that assertion at this time. Most side affects associated with turmeric are either allergenic in nature or are due to overconsumption and can include:
GI issues similar to those associated with MSM.
Increased liver enzyme activity, which can be dangerous for any consumers with liver health issues.
Cayenne Fruit: A major source of capsicum, which in addition to its medicinal value is what gives off the “heat” sensation when consuming spicy foods. Cayenne and capsicum have been used to treat digestion problems, heart and blood conditions, and has even been used by some for ailments as diverse as toothaches, seasickness, and alcoholism. Possible short-term side effects include:
Stomach and GI irritation
Sweating
Flushing
Runny Nose
Long-term consumption of cayenne fruit can have more negative consequences and is not recommended by doctors. Potential side effects from chronic use can include
Liver damage
Kidney damage
Hyaluronic Acid: A naturally occurring lubricant found in the joints. Hyaluronic acid has become popular recently with health and beauty companies that have touted it as an anti-aging serum. Side effects seem rare, however doctors warn against its use by pregnant or breast feeding women.
Boswellia Serrata Extract: An effective anti-inflammatory frequently included in joint health supplements. Boswellia has also been shown to be effective for treating tendonitis, bursitis and osteoarthritis. There are very few side effects associated with boswellia extracts.
Name of Product Quality of Ingredients
InstaFlex contains some very high quality ingredients, such as MSM, boswellia, hyaluronic acid, and glucosamine; some ingredients that we need to know more about, such as ginger and turmeric; and some ingredients that our panel of experts highly caution consumers about.
Cayenne fruit and white willow extract have both been linked to serious health conditions, especially when taken over long periods of time. Since InstaFlex recommends taking multiple doses daily, that heightens the risk that consumers will experience these consequences.
InstaFlex is available over the counter at a number of retailers and is also available from their own website, however it is one of the most expensive joint supplements on the market today:
Online it sells for $69.99 for a bottle of 30 capsules, which comes out to well over $2 per pill. When they recommend that you take multiple pills daily, this quickly becomes more expensive than even some prescription joint medications.
InstaFlex also offers a 30 day free trial period, however in order to receive the trial sample you must first enroll in their recurring purchase program, and cancelling may entail some hidden fees.
While some of the ingredients are certainly worth paying for, other should be avoided entirely and there are certainly cheaper alternatives on the market.
There is also a digital contact form on InstaFlex’s website.
Direct Digital is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau, and they have received only a “B” rating from the BBB due to multiple complaints lodged against them. Most of the issues seem to do with consumers feeling scammed by the free trial period or the auto-enroll program, however all open complaints seem to have been addressed at this time.
There is no evidence that there are currently any outstanding lawsuits or legal issues with Direct Digital, LLC. or InstaFlex.
There are quite a few reviews for InstaFlex available online. They tend to follow several different patterns, and here is a sampling of the types of reviews that were found on their retailer’s sites:
“InstaFlex was the most expensive supplement I’ve ever taken. For the cost I expected to see great results, but I was let down.”
“Claimed to be glucosamine free, but I had an allergic reaction as soon as I started taking the pills.”
“Sounded good and I thought it couldn’t hurt to do the free trial, but boy was I wrong about that. When I decided to cancel they gave be some bureaucratic nonsense and ended up keeping my money.”
The majority of the complaints had to do with those issues of effectiveness relative to the price. Customers repeatedly felt like a product that costs as much as InstaFlex ought to be more effective. There were also complaints from consumers that had negative reactions to the pills, though there were less of that type.
The question is not so much does InstaFlex work, but does it work well enough to justify its high cost and potential negative health effects. The answer to that is likely dependent on how wealthy you are and how willing to gamble on your long-term health for the sake of your joint comfort you are.
For many consumers, the exorbitant price tag and the prospect of potential kidney or liver failure will keep them away. For others that have the money to spend and whose joint pain has become unmanageable InstaFlex may be an option, however there are probably safer alternatives that are just as if not more effective out there.
their site is a rip off. I wanted to try this product for shipping and handling only, ended up getting a SECOND VISA BILL for over $84.00. apparently, they automatically send you more each month. I DO NOT WANT THIS PRODUCT, especially at that price. Took over 1 hour to get thru to talk to a customer service rep. I WILL NEVER AGAIN TRY PRODUCTS on Facebook. THE INSTAFLEX experience has turned me right off.
These people are SCAM artists! DO NOT buy! They offer a “free trial” then keep charging your account; and make it VERY difficult to cancel. Had to change my bank account to get out!
PLEASE! Do Not get involved with these people, and their Bogus product. It does not work!
Bought this at a GNC store. Took 5 days of the pills. I’m having terrible stomach cramping. Then I read if you have gastric problems, DON’T TAKE IT. Wish I’d read up on this before I purchased this product. They really should have a better “warning” for customers BEFORE they buy.
I TOO just got scammed by these BS artists and crooks and I’m FURIOUS!!
I called to cancel even BEFORE I received my “Free Sample” before the end of LAST Month and DAYS before my 18 Days were up!!
WHAT a COMPLETE and utter JOKE!! The “Customer Service Rep” that I talked to, was SO pushy and aggressive, even rude, tried to make me feel guilty for Cancelling the Monthly Service, tried REALLY hard to convince me that this is the best price on the Market and basically the best PRODUCT out there for this type of thing! NO…..it’s NOT…..not even CLOSE!!
Then today I just happened to check my personal Checking Account to see if some other charges came through that I KNEW about and to see if my Direct Deposit for Work came through yet…..only to discover that I had just received a Pending charge for MORE Instaflex for THIS Month for $52.49 AFTER I had cancelled and INSISTED they DON’T send me ANY more products after the “Free Trial”!; which is ALSO an ABSOLUTE joke!! They send a 14-Day Supply of pills that do NOTHING to help, if anything I’ve been experiencing pains that I haven’t even had BEFORE my Dancing Accident and knee issues that happened after a Dancing Accident when I was out with one of my Bands a number of years ago and I also unfortunately inherited bad knees as well! Some Days are much worse, than others! The pills have also made my stomach problems WORSE than they already WERE!; (I generally have a quite sensitive stomach to begin with)!
They also give you about the smallest little tube of Joint creme that I’ve ever seen as a part of the “Trial”! Also, no real relief with that, either!
Do NOT bother with these TRUE scam Artists!!
If you feel the genuine need to try this/these particular Products, buy them from a REPUTABLE source, like GNC, a local Pharmacy, etc. and probably for MUCH less of a price, but DEFINITELY not for something that is recurring Monthly, that’s for SURE!!; UNLESS someone WANTS to buy things like this on a regular basis, then, that’s THEIR choice!!
At least if you’re not happy, you should be able to get your money back/get a Credit, etc.!
With THESE crooks, good luck!!
I’m going to strongly dispute the charges with my Bank and hope and pray that ALL these charges will be dismissed and that I WILL not get ANY more Pending, or Recurring charges from this BS Company and TOTAL scam Artists!!
Boy, I CERTAINLY hope so!!
BUYER BEWARE!!
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My friend Kristen had a bad reaction through experiencing bathroom issues and issues with the money back guarantee.
Did you get your money back?
their site is a rip off. I wanted to try this product for shipping and handling only, ended up getting a SECOND VISA BILL for over $84.00. apparently, they automatically send you more each month. I DO NOT WANT THIS PRODUCT, especially at that price. Took over 1 hour to get thru to talk to a customer service rep. I WILL NEVER AGAIN TRY PRODUCTS on Facebook. THE INSTAFLEX experience has turned me right off.
Call your credit card company. It is a scam!
I don’t want anymore Instaflex
These people are SCAM artists! DO NOT buy! They offer a “free trial” then keep charging your account; and make it VERY difficult to cancel. Had to change my bank account to get out!
PLEASE! Do Not get involved with these people, and their Bogus product. It does not work!
I had an allergy reaction scratching and digging all night I can not take this product. I want to cancel my order
Bought this at a GNC store. Took 5 days of the pills. I’m having terrible stomach cramping. Then I read if you have gastric problems, DON’T TAKE IT. Wish I’d read up on this before I purchased this product. They really should have a better “warning” for customers BEFORE they buy.
I got Instaflex for my hubby and he’s saying it’s not helping him very much
100% bs snake oil. Just another way for scum bags to take your money.
I TOO just got scammed by these BS artists and crooks and I’m FURIOUS!!
I called to cancel even BEFORE I received my “Free Sample” before the end of LAST Month and DAYS before my 18 Days were up!!
WHAT a COMPLETE and utter JOKE!! The “Customer Service Rep” that I talked to, was SO pushy and aggressive, even rude, tried to make me feel guilty for Cancelling the Monthly Service, tried REALLY hard to convince me that this is the best price on the Market and basically the best PRODUCT out there for this type of thing! NO…..it’s NOT…..not even CLOSE!!
Then today I just happened to check my personal Checking Account to see if some other charges came through that I KNEW about and to see if my Direct Deposit for Work came through yet…..only to discover that I had just received a Pending charge for MORE Instaflex for THIS Month for $52.49 AFTER I had cancelled and INSISTED they DON’T send me ANY more products after the “Free Trial”!; which is ALSO an ABSOLUTE joke!! They send a 14-Day Supply of pills that do NOTHING to help, if anything I’ve been experiencing pains that I haven’t even had BEFORE my Dancing Accident and knee issues that happened after a Dancing Accident when I was out with one of my Bands a number of years ago and I also unfortunately inherited bad knees as well! Some Days are much worse, than others! The pills have also made my stomach problems WORSE than they already WERE!; (I generally have a quite sensitive stomach to begin with)!
They also give you about the smallest little tube of Joint creme that I’ve ever seen as a part of the “Trial”! Also, no real relief with that, either!
Do NOT bother with these TRUE scam Artists!!
If you feel the genuine need to try this/these particular Products, buy them from a REPUTABLE source, like GNC, a local Pharmacy, etc. and probably for MUCH less of a price, but DEFINITELY not for something that is recurring Monthly, that’s for SURE!!; UNLESS someone WANTS to buy things like this on a regular basis, then, that’s THEIR choice!!
At least if you’re not happy, you should be able to get your money back/get a Credit, etc.!
With THESE crooks, good luck!!
I’m going to strongly dispute the charges with my Bank and hope and pray that ALL these charges will be dismissed and that I WILL not get ANY more Pending, or Recurring charges from this BS Company and TOTAL scam Artists!!
Boy, I CERTAINLY hope so!!
BUYER BEWARE!!