Buy The Best Fitness Inversion Table – Relieve Your Back and Neck Pain

Posted By on January 16, 2017

Looking for more information on inversion tables, and trying to find the best one to buy that fits your needs? In this review I will show you two of the top inversion tables that I recommend for home use.

What Is An Inversion Table? – Why Do I Need One?

Walking upright all day puts stress on our necks, backs, and spines. Gravity pushes down on your body, compressing your vertebrae, and that can cause back pain, pinched nerves, and restricted mobility.

There are many ways to feel better and be healthier. You can go to a chiropractor, massage therapist, or get a professional spinal decompression to get rid of the pain. However, they can get pretty expensive and the relief is only temporary.

Inversion tables have become increasingly popular for use in the home for exercise and rehabilitation. If you suffer from chronic back pain, flexibility problems, or spinal issues then you can find relief by using in-home inversion therapy.

How Does Inversion Therapy Work?

Basically, in inversion therapy you put your ankles, legs, or feet in straps that are secured to a special table. It can rotate you upside down or place you at an inverted angle. Doing this encourages spinal decompression and increased blood flow to the brain. An inversion session rarely exceeds 30 minutes for safety reasons, but the results are far better than the temporary fixes.

You can even perform stretching and calisthenic exercises while inverted, as part of a recovery workout. Many people experience muscular relaxation and a gentle stretching of the spine at the minimal settings. Very similar to a chiropractic adjustment. It also restores your flexibility, and pain from pinched nerves or back spasms is reduced.

Doing a deeper inversion of 60 degrees encourages the vertebrae to decompress, and this allows fluids to flow back into the soft discs between them. If you have a herniated or bulging disc in your back, the inversion therapy may reduce the size after several sessions.

Who Are Inversion Therapy Tables For?

Inversion tables can be used for older children or people who suffer from scoliosis. It leads to mobility issues later in life and stretching the spine under controlled conditions may help halt or even reverse the spinal curvature.

If you suffer from headaches then inversion therapy may help you find relief. It relaxes and stretches your head, neck, and back muscles that reduces triggers for tension-based headaches. Increased blood flow to the head can also improve circulation and calm the nerves that trigger migraines. It can even help improve and clear your sinuses and drainage.

People who exercise can use the inversion table as a recovery day for improving flexibility, and you can even do a core workout while inverted.

People who have knee pain and back pain can also find relief after inversion therapy. There is no scientific study out there that claims inversion therapy can work for everyone, but I believe it is worth a try.

Features

High-end inversion tables often include additional features and optional equipment to enhance your experience. Here are some helpful features and optional add-ons you may want to consider before making a purchase.

Padding

Comfort is an important thing to consider, especially if you want to invert for extended periods of time. Padding is especially important around the ankle clamps and head/neck support areas. Some tables provide padding at critical pressure points but nowhere else.

However, some inversion tables secure their angles by a pin, which is much safer than the straps found on cheaper inversion tables.

Acupressure Nodules

Often sold as an add-on, acupressure nodules are hard plastic knobs that you can place strategically in your table. During inversion, these knobs stimulate various acupressure points in the back, neck, and legs. Some people find it uncomfortable, but you need them if you want to address specific pain points.

Lumbar Support

If you work in an office or lead a sedentary lifestyle, chances are that you experience tension in your lower back. The spinal stretches and muscular relaxation performed during inversion therapy are helpful, but they do not always address the lower back and hip pain caused by sitting in a chair all day.

Some inversion table manufacturers offer an add-on known as a lumbar bridge. The lumbar bridge pushes against the lower back during the inversion session, creating an even deeper stretch in that area.

Are You Ready For An Inversion Table?

Before you buy an inversion table for your home, you need to make sure you have space to accommodate it, a stable place to set it up, and the strength to manage it.

  • Space – Most inversion tables are large and not very easy to break down. You’ll need a fair amount of space to use and store your inversion table. If you don’t have the right kind of space, you may end up feeling frustrated. Measure your space first,and remember that an inversion table requires even more space when flipped into inversion.
  • Stability – The stability of the floor on which you place your table is incredibly important. You want a surface that’s level, not slanted. An unstable floor could lead to a fall during inversion.
  • Strength – Inversion tables are large and bulky, and moving them around is not easy. I would have a permanent location to place it so you wouldn’t have to move it.

My Reccomendations

  1. The Teeter EP 960 LTD Inversion Table With Back Pain Relief Kit (Best of the best)
  2. Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table (Best bang for your buck)

Teeter EP 960 LTD Inversion Table Review

The Teeter EP 960 inversion table uses tethering straps to control range of motion. You can set the angle of inversion to 20 degrees, 40 degrees, or 60 degrees by attaching the appropriate strap between the frame and the bottom of the table. You can do a full 90-degree inversion when all the straps are removed. If you are a beginner you should start out at the 20 or 40 degree inversion, and slowly work your way to the 60 or 90 degree inversion. Most health benefits of inversion therapy are experienced at approximately a 45-degree rotation, but do not do that until you are comfortable.

The Teeter EP 960 does not offer much padding, but it does have a flexible back board that bends with you. The ankle supports have a triple-locking mechanism that can be adjusted, so it is safe. There is also an extension of the release mechanism that allows you to unlock your ankles without having to bend all the way down.

Some people have felt a weight shift in their ankles during deep or full inversions, but this is a known issue among all inversion tables. If you exercise, it is strongly urged that you adjust your workout times if the stress on your ankles becomes too painful. If you are afraid of getting stuck, don’t worry. The Teeter EP 960 has special hand grips that allow you to push yourself back up to a supported position if you lose momentum or invert too deeply.

What Comes With the Teeter EP 960?

The basic Teeter EP 960 package includes the inversion table, a generic owner’s manual, and an instructional DVD. This should be enough for most people to get started on an exercise regimen. If you have had an inversion table before, you will enjoy the option to lock the table at a full 90 degree angle. You can do core workouts (sit-ups, crunches, etc.) while inverted buy using the locking mechanism.

Add-Ons

The Teeter company does offer some helpful add-ons that can be purchased in addition to the unit. They have great acupressure nodes that can be attached at various points on the back board. There is also a lower lumbar plate that offers additional support and comfort at mid-range inversion angles.

How Much Does The Teeter EP 960 Cost?

The Teeter EP 960 is one of the more expensive inversion tables, however it is the best you are going to find for your home because of its construction and performance. I believe it is worth the investment because it is durable and safe. See price here!

Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table Review

The Ironman Gravity 4000 is definitely heavier than the Teeter EP 960, so choose where you want it before you put it together. Its heavy-duty tubular steel construction provides sturdiness and reliability, but its weight does make it more difficult to maneuver. The unit can be folded for storage, but you’ll need some serious muscle to move it around a carpeted surface. The table is covered with two-and-a-half inches of memory foam and is MUCH more comfortable than the Teeter EP 960.

What Comes With The Ironman Gravity 4000?

The Ironman Gravity 4000 also comes equipped with a detachable lumbar support, which is especially helpful for users with sciatica or chronic lower back pain. The inversion angles are controlled by an adjustable tether, but there is no secondary safety device. The ankle locks are ratchet-based and molded for maximum security and comfort. You can also reach the extra-long release grips without having to bend deeply.

The stated weight capacity is 350 pounds, and the height adjustments run from 4’9″ to 6’5″. There are also handles (like with the Teeter EP 960) that help you pull yourself back up from an inverted position. Assembly is not too difficult, but it may need two people.

Add-Ons

The additional cushioning on the Ironman Gravity 4000 makes a huge difference if you plan on a longer inversion routine, or have difficulty getting comfortable on a hard plastic surface. Even though the cushioning makes it a little heavier, nothing compares to the comfort.

They also have the lower lumbar support attachment, which can also be easily removed. Certain inversion angles can put a lot of strain on the lower back, but the lumbar support attachment helps the body maintain healthy contact with the table as weight shifts. These add-ons come with the inversion table and do not cost extra.

How Much Does The Ironman Gravity 4000 Cost?

I highly recommend using the lumbar support attachment, and I believe the extra padding is worth the investment. See price here!

Safety

Your safety is a top concern when selecting an inversion table because it is going to support your entire body weight. Here are some tips that you should keep in mind…

  • Inversion tables made wholly of steel are the most secure. Aircraft-grade aluminum is an acceptable alternative, but steel is the best.
  • You should avoid both the lightest and the least expensive inversion tables.
  • If you are promised a quick assembly, it is not a plus. Putting together a quality inversion table takes time and may require assistance.
  • The support frame should consumes a fair amount of space. It is essential for safe operation.
  • Some inversion tables are designed for folding or quick disassembly. However, most should remain in place between sessions.
  • The height of the frame determines the amount of clearance between the floor and the table itself. When fully inverted, some models position your head just a few inches off the floor.
  • Some inversion tables require you to place your feet between two padded bars and secure them with a quick-release lock. Others provide “boots” that clamp around the ankles during inversion. Both methods are secure, but the comfort can be an issue.

Final Thought

I think that the Teeter EP 960 is really the best of the best when it comes to inversion tables. It is a serious piece of therapeutic equipment that has earned top ratings. Even though it is not padded like the Ironman Gravity 4000, the design meshes well with the user. I also really like the security of the ankle locks, and the extended release mechanism. Their strong leather straps prevent you from being inverted too quickly, and the hand grips ensure your return to an upright position.

It is one of the more expensive inversion tables, but it is packed with extra features like acupressure nodes and a lumbar support plate that are not often found in other tables. This is the best inversion table on the market if price is not an issue.

However, I think that the Ironman Gravity 4000 inversion table is the best bang for your buck. It is an ideal starter machine, and it is an affordable alternative to high-end inversion tables. It offers therapeutic advantages that many do not. The construction elements are typically found on tables that cast three times as much, and any type of person can use it. The padding is a HUGE plus because of its comfort level.

If you’re looking for a satisfactory inversion table at an affordable price, then the Ironman Gravity 4000 is for you.

See also the Yoga Body Trapeeze for inversion and many other benefits!

If you have any questions or have had experience with inversion tables, please leave a comment below!

Live Well and Live On,

Karissa

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This article has 2 Comments

  1. Have had back issues for most of my adult life. I had 2 strokes December of 2013 and still having headaches, can’t get a Nero worth a damb to help. My Internist is trying everything he can to help but I wonder if a table would help my back and headaches. I am 6′ 7″ and weigh around 315 now. I am on disability and have been now for almost 4 years. My wife and I got kicked in the teeth 3 years ago April when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Thank God she is still with us but that leaves us in tight financial situation. I hate to need to ask for help but have no choice. Not asking for a free machine, any assistance will be appreciated.

    Reply

    1. Hello Larry,

      I’m sorry about your situation. I would suggest you find a good chiropractor to work on you. I don’t think an inversion table would be your best option. It will take some time (maybe a month) for you to see a dramatic difference, but that would be the best thing for you to do. Also, they take insurance. I hope this helps.

      – Karissa

      Reply

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