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Calling all sufferers of chronic back pain! Are you in agony every time you bend down to tie your shoes? Does intense soreness keep you awake all through the night? Are you at the point where you’d do just about anything to feel some relief? You might want to consider an inversion table.
Inversion tables have been proven to provide short-term relief to sufferers of chronic back pain. By helping to strengthen the muscles in your core, they provide you with better posture, keeping strain off your back, and allowing you to live your life with much less pain. Of course, not all inversion tables are created equally. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you find the best one possible.
What is an Inversion Table?
Contents
An inversion table is a device that allows you to hang upside down or at a downward angle from your feet or ankles. It contains a rotating board on which you lay your body that will slowly and safely take you from an upright position to a downward position. It also contains padded bars under which you fasten your feet so that you don’t slide off of the board.
Inversion tables are designed to help those who suffer from chronic back pain. It is believed that by allowing people to hang upside down from their feet, these tables allow the user’s spine to decompress. This contributes to a looser and more relaxed back with less strain on it.
What are the Benefits of an Inversion Table?
While inversion tables are not proven to be an end-all cure to chronic back pain, they have proven to be effective tools in the short-term. Depending on the severity of the user’s pain, they can prevent some users from having to get invasive surgery done.
Inversion tables are also capable of assisting with routine physical fitness as they improve posture, strengthen ligaments, and improve flexibility. Other benefits people have seen from the use of inversion tables are decreases in depression and stress, improvement in digestion, improvements in physical appearance, and improvement in blood circulation.
Who are the Contenders for Best Conversion Table?
Ironman Gravity 4000 Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table
With a steel frame and memory foam nylon backrest, the Ironman Gravity 4000 is as sturdy and as comfortable of an inversion table as you’re going to find. It has the ability to invert up to 180 degrees, allowing you to hang completely upside down, and even more-so if you desire. Able to support up to 350 pounds, it is capable of holding up just about anybody, making it a great inversion table for anyone with back pain.
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Using infrared technology, Ironman was able to insert thin carbon fiber material into the backrest of this inversion table, allowing it to heat and relax the user’s back muscles. Capable of inverting up to 180 degrees, it allows you to hang upside down and then some. To ensure safety, it contains long metal handles which you can hold onto through the inversion process.
Teeter EP-560 Ltd. Inversion Table
This Teeter inversion table offers ultimate flexibility through its comfortrak bed and lumbar bridge, making it as comfortable as possible for each and every user. It’s designed to rotate as smoothly as possible, inverting as safely and with as much balance as possible. With an exercise DVD included, you can get started with your inversion routine as soon as you get it out of the box.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Conversion Table
It seems as though all inversion tables should provide you with equal value. After all, they’re simply boards that rotate and allow you to hang at downward angles. But the truth of the matter is that each inversion table provides you with something different. Whether this difference comes in the way of increased comfort and rotational smoothness, or maximum durability and the existence of useful special features, it does exist. The key to finding the best inversion table for you is in figuring out which differences make the biggest difference.
Comfort
The entire point of an inversion table is to help soothe aches and pains that cause everyday discomfort. So, obviously it’s important to find a table that feels comfortable to you. While some inversion tables contain a huge amount of padding, others will form to your back. It’s your responsibility to figure out what works for you.
Smoothness
An inversion table’s greatest strength lies in its ability to rotate as smoothly as possible. A smooth rotation will keep the user comfortable and prevent him or her from aggravating any existing conditions.
Durability
Inversion tables can be a little costly. Because of this, it’s important to purchase one that you know will be around for a while. If you can’t physically try an inversion table out in person, you should scour personal review sites to get an idea of a table’s durability.
Special Features
At its most basic, an inversion table is a flat board that is capable of rotating around an axis while you’re laying on it. However, some inversion tables possess special features. These features include heated backrests, pressure-point nodes, and more. Some inversion tables even come with exercise DVDs.
Comfort
Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table
The Ironman Gravity 4000 is as comfortable of an inversion table as you’re going to find. With a nylon memory foam backrest and ankle cushions that mold to the shape of your feet, it provides each individual user with his or her own personal comfort.
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy
With its infrared backrest technology, the Ironman IFT 4000 is great for soothing aches and pains during inversion therapy. Heating the backrest so that it warms and relaxes pressure points, the infrared technology will leave users as comfortable as possible.
Teeter EP-560 Ltd. Table
Capable of forming to each individual user’s body, providing maximum comfort to whoever uses it. With a pressure-reducing ankle system, it locks you in tightly without putting unnecessary strain on your feet.
Smoothness
Ironman Gravity 4000
With the ability to rotate a full 180 degrees, the Ironman Gravity 4000 allows you to hang completely upside down. Well-balanced and stable, it turns smoothly all throughout its rotation, keeping you comfortable and making sure you stay locked into position at all times.
Teeter EP-560
Designed specifically for balance, the Teeter EP-560 rotates as smoothly as any inversion table you’re going to find. With the ability to rotate to the point that you’re completely upside down, it is capable of locking securely in full inversion position. This ensures that it’s safe and comfortable.
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy
At the end of the day, all three of our top 3 inversion tables are capable of rotating with excellent smoothness and consistency. So, it’s not as if the IFT 4000 pales in comparison to the Gravity 4000 and Teeter EP-560. In fact, in terms of smoothness, they’re all very comparable. Like the Gravity 4000, the IFT 4000 can rotate a full 180 degrees, allowing you to hang completely upside down if you wish to.
Durability
Ironman Gravity 4000 Highest Weight Capacity
When it comes to durability, the Ironman Gravity 4000 is as strong as they come. Capable of holding up to 350 pounds, it’s made of tough tubular steel that has been powder-coated to withstand sweat and other moisture.
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy
The Ironman IFT 4000 is capable of holding up to 350 pounds, making it as strong as any inversion table currently on the market. With a tubular steel frame that is powder-coated and resistant to rust, this table will withstand moisture and allow for use over many years.
Teeter EP-560
With a full 5-year warranty, the Teeter EP-560 guarantees five years of continuous use. Made of heavy-duty steel that has been powder-coated, it is rust-resistant and capable of withstanding sweat and other forms of moisture.
Special Features
Ironman IFT 4000
As far as special features go, the Ironman IFT 4000 is an advanced table. Its infrared backrest technology works to soothe aches and pains, maximizing its effectiveness. Also included with the table is a remote that allows you to change backrest temperature whenever you wish.
Teeter EP-560
With acupressure nodes and lumbar bridge accessories included, the Teeter EP-560 offers added comfort in the form of its special features. Also included with the table is a DVD detailing different stretches and workouts that can be performed with an inversion table.
Ironman Gravity 4000
Overall, the Ironman Gravity 4000 is a fairly basic inversion table. Its most notable feature is its ability to adjust to different heights. But what makes it a great inversion table is its absolutely stellar construction. Its ability to hold a lot of weight and rotate with ease makes it a ridiculously solid table.
Conclusion: Our Inversion Table Reviews
Confidence Pro Folding Inversion Table – Best Cheap
With a frame made out of steel, this inversion table by Confidence is extremely sturdy and durable, holding up to 300 pounds without a problem. Its backrest is not as solid and comfortable as others as it is only made of a thin fabric stretched over steel bars. But for an inversion table in its price range, it’s a great purchase. If you’re looking for the best inversion table at a price that won’t break the bank, you should definitely check this out.
Pros:
- Sturdy as any table you’re going to find
- Inverts safely and with balance
Cons:
- Not the most comfortable backrest
- Lower weight limit than some
Exerpeutic Inversion Table – Best for the Money
A reliable inversion table with a comfortable foam backrest, this Exerpeutic table is a great buy at a reasonable price. Its 1.5 inch thick steel frames are capable of holding up to 300 pounds at a time, making it great for just about anyone. With large, easy-to-access safety bars as well as a safety strap, you won’t have to worry about falling off the board during inversions. If you’re looking for a very high-quality inversion table at a very decent price, this is the one to look at.
Pros:
- Ridiculously sturdy
- As cushioned as any table you’re going to find
Cons:
- Lack of padding on foot bars
- Limited headrest
Ironman Gravity 4000 – Best Overall
Capable of holding up to 350 pounds, this Ironman inversion table shouldn’t have much trouble accommodating anybody. With the ability to invert a full 180 degrees, you can hang upside down, maximizing spinal decompression. Equipped with molded ankle cushions, it will leave your feet comfortable regardless of what angle they are at. If you’re looking for the best inversion table on the market, look no further.
Pros:
- Huge weight capacity
- Superb inversion capabilities
- Comfortable as any table on the market
Cons:
- Large, heavy, and difficult to store
All in all
Chronic back pain can be a truly debilitating thing. And while inversion tables are typically not able to eliminate this pain completely, they are certainly able to minimize it with regular use.
Heavy duty inversion tables like the Ironman Gravity 4000 are capable of rotating your body a full 180 degrees, maximizing the decompression of your spine and reducing the strain on your back. If you’re living in agony, unable to sleep and tie your shoes, an inversion table is capable of changing your entire life.