Best Inversion Tables
[amazon table=”2712″]Inversion tables are often used for back pain and neck pain, and can facilitate inversion therapy.
It’s an unorthodox way to relieve pain temporarily, and it is recommended by many physical therapists and chiropractors.
Sometimes heat and massage are incorporated into the inversion therapy, but sometimes the table is just intended to hold the user in place upside down.
By making the most of gravity, an inversion table can relieve pain caused by disks found in the spinal cord. By stretching out the spine it can alleviate pain and discomfort.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
[amazon box=”B00F950N3K” title=”Innova ITX9700 Inversion Table” description=”The Innova ITX9700 is an example of what a great inversion table should look like. It’s heavy duty frame makes it sturdy, while its ergonomic parts make it comfortable to use.”]⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Inversion Tables
- Best of the Best: Innova ITX9700 Inversion Table
- Runner Up: Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table
- Best for Massage: Innova ITM4800
Best Inversion Tables Reviews
Innova ITX9700 Inversion Table (👑 Best of the Best)
The best heavy duty inversion table is the Innova ITX9700, made with memory foam and with plenty of ergonomic features.
Arguably the most important part of any inversion table is the comfort factor, since if you’re going to be hanging upside down in it you don’t want to come off feeling even more sore than you did before. This heavy duty table is fitted with a memory foam lumbar pad to support the lower back and spine, soft foam handlebars, and ergonomic ankle holders to keep you comfortably in place.
Adjustability is also key for inversion therapy, since you’ll want to make sure you can find the optimal position to relieve your pain. The Innova ITX9700 nails this too, with an adjustable headrest and a 6 position adjustable pin system. This allows you to get comfortable in the inversion table and find the perfect resting position. Then there’s the height adjustment tube, so you can adjust this inversion table to fit your height provided you’re between 4ft-10in and 6ft-6in.
As for getting into position, there’s the True Balance system which makes for straightforward inversions every time. The heavy duty steel frame can hold up to 300lbs of weight, making it suitable for most. The other good news with this inversion table is that it’s easy to assemble when you first receive it.
As for what people who’ve used the Innova ITX9700 make of it, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The parts of this table past users have enjoyed most are the incredibly stable and comfortable build, and it’s reasonable price tag compared to the competition. The security of the table is also a big plus for a lot of users who claim the ankle holders make you feel perfectly secure as you hold an inverted position.
Features:
- Adjustable headrest
- Memory foam lumbar pad
- 6 position adjustable pin system
- Ergonomic ankle holding system
- Soft foam handlebars
- For users between 4ft-10in and 6ft-6in, and holds up to a weight of 300lbs
- Height adjustment tube
- True Balance system
Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table (🥈 Runner Up)
You can’t talk about the best inversion tables without mentioning the EP-960 from Teeter.
This curious-looking device comes with a whole host of premium features and has a satisfyingly ergonomic design. Built with heavy-duty gauge steel parts and patented security features, this is an inversion table you can really trust. The 35+ years of quality is a badge that Teeter wears with pride, and it should help convince you that this is a real quality product. You don’t have to take Teeter’s word for it though, this table is thirdly party UL certified which means it has passed standards set for endurance, rotation control, and ease of assembly.
Teeter will be the first to tell you that memory foam can be more harmful than beneficial when it comes to decompressing the spine. According to the top inversion table brand, padding allows your body to sink in, which in turn prevents true spinal decompression. That’s why the EP-960 features the brand’s very own patented ComforTrak bed which is firm yet still comfortable. There’s a lumbar bridge to deepen traction for the lower back, as well as acupressure nodes all over the surface which can release muscle tension as you work on relieving your back pain.
This inversion table is also built for the user’s convenience, with an EZ-reach triple-lock ankle system. The extra long handle solves a common problem with many tables which has the user bend down uncomfortably to unhook the ankle holding system. Once locked in simply, the ankles are held firmly in place and there’s an adjustable foot platform height to accommodate all feet sizes.
The traction handles will allow you to achieve different levels of intensity with your spinal decompression session, as well as oscillate rhythmically for a soothing sensation. Again, the user experience is emphasised here with the extra-long handles that allow you to operate everything from a comfortable reclined position.
This is an inversion table that’s convenient as well as functional. Not only is straightforward to assemble the table, but it’s just as easy to set it aside when you’re not using it. You can fold the Teeter table up in seconds to conserve space, so you don’t have to worry about it taking up the whole room even when it’s not in use.
Features:
- UL certified
- Folds up for storage
- Patented ComforTrak bed
- Extra long ankle system handles
- Traction handles
- Adjustable foot platform height
- Acupressure nodes and lumbar bridge
Innova ITM4800 (💆🏻 Best for Massage)
If you’re wanting the most therapeutic, relaxing form of inversion therapy then you might be interested in the Innova ITM4800 and what it has to offer.
Another heavy-duty inversion table from Innova, what sets the ITM4800 apart is that it has an adjustable massage pad which provides heat and vibration. This isn’t just your ordinary inversion table, this is the table to invest in if you want to see inversion therapy as a way of treating yourself.
The advanced heat and massage lumbar pad comes with multi-mode massage that can be either manually operated or automatic. This lumbar pad is controlled with a remote and has various settings which offer therapeutic isolated heat and vibrations. This should definitely enhance the overall experience, and make the spinal decompression something to look forward to rather than dread.
Aside from this massage lumbar pad, the ITM4800 shares a lot of features with our top pick, the ITX9700, which is definitely a good thing. It has the same six angle pin slot system, height adjustment tube, and ergonomic ankle holding system. These are all features which should help make the experience as straightforward and comfortable as possible. Then there’s the adjustable headrest and True Balance system to help you find the perfect alignment every time. The heavy duty steel frame provides plenty of support and holds up to 300lbs, and accommodates a user height range of 4’10” to 6’6″.
Features:
- Advanced heat and massage lumbar pad
- Six angle pin slot system
- Height adjustment tube
- Ergonomic ankle holding system
- Soft foam handlebars
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Max user 300lbs, height range 4’10” to 6’6″.
- Adjustable headrest
- True Balance system
Ultimate Guide to Buying an Inversion Table
Investing in an inversion table isn’t a decision to take lightly.
While inversion therapy is deemed to be safe and useful by many, it still comes with some risks.
As such, it’s imperative that you spend some time considering the various factors to work out which table best suits your needs.
The main factors revolve around the build and support of the table, with the overall comfort and ergonomic features being the main reason to choose one over another.
Comfort
The factor of comfort should play a significant role in your decision-making process, and it can be broken down into the back support and the ergonomic features.
Back Support
There are two camps of thought when it comes to the back support of inversion tables.
There are those who believe that memory foam provides more comfortable back support, and there are those who believe that it’s better to have something firm for your back.
While memory foam will mould to the shape of your back and be softer to the touch, some will argue that by sinking into a memory foam back support the spinal decompression will be negatively affected.
That’s why inversion tables such as the EP-960 from Teeter use a firm back support, which may be less comfortable overall but in some people’s view allows for greater spinal decompression.
Since this is a contentious issue which is unlikely to have a definitive answer one way or the other, the choice between foam and padding or something more firm should ultimately be a matter of personal preference.
Ergonomics
The back support isn’t the only way in which inversion tables offer comfort to the user though, since the ergonomics of the device are of utmost importance.
Comfort can come from having certain features in place which limit the amount you need to move or bend while locked into the inversion table, which in turn reduces discomfort or pain.
In terms of ergonomics, the most important parts to look out for are the ankle holding system and the way in which you adjust the various parts.
If you have to constantly bend down to adjust the fit of the ankles or other parts of the table, this could cause discomfort in the back which is the last thing you want.
As a result, ergonomic soft grip handles that are long in length are useful to have, so you can make adjustments comfortably from a reclined position.
You also want to look into the ankle holding system, checking for adjustable foot platforms and other features it has.
Adjustability
Hand in hand with the comfort of any inversion table is the extent to which you can make adjustments on it.
The more adjustability an inversion table has, the better.
If you can make precise adjustments to each part of the table, you can find the perfect reclined position free from discomfort.
There are several key areas in which you might want some level of adjustment.
Height
Since it’s very challenging to make an inversion table which is universal, and suitable for all heights, height adjustment is something you might want to look out for.
Tables like those from Innova in this guide feature a height adjustment tube which allow you to create the perfect experience for users in the range of 4’10” to 6’6″.
Headrest
The headrest should be adjustable since this will have a big impact on how comfortable your neck feels during the decompression.
This will be a non-negotiable for many, given that you really don’t want your neck to be uncomfortable as you go through the inversion therapy.
Ankles
The ankle holding system is the main thing keeping you in place on the inversion table as you operate it.
As such, it’s hugely important that you find a system which can securely hold your ankles in place.
This isn’t an area to compromise on, and the more adjustment settings there are, the better.
Extra Features
The last factor we’ll go into here is the extra features of various inversion tables.
While you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to get the best from your inversion therapy, it can help make the experience more relaxing, stress-relieving, and enjoyable.
Here are a few features you can find on some inversion tables.
Acupressure Points
Some inversion tables, like the Teeter EP-960, have acupressure points on the surface of the back support.
The idea behind acupressure is that pressure is applied to various pressure points on the body to reduce pain and massage tight spots.
These acupressure points may be a little uncomfortable at first, but they can provide crucial extra tension relief for your back by working into knots.
This can help relieve pain and discomfort as you stretch out the spine.
Heat and Massage
Another top feature for inversion tables is some form of heat and massage therapy.
The Innova ITM4800 in particular has an advanced isolated heat and massage lumbar pad.
This heating pad can be controlled manually by remote or set to automatic. As well as the heat it produces it also produces vibrations for a massage-like effect.
It has various settings and can make the inversion therapy much more relaxing.
Related: Best Cooling Weighted Blanket
Frequently Asked Questions About Inversion Tables
Do inversion tables really work?
There is some evidence that inversion tables can work for alleviating back and neck pain.
Provided you don’t have high blood pressure or heart disease, you could stand to benefit from laying in an inversion table in an upside down position.
The idea behind inversion therapy is that it relieves pressure on disks in the spinal cord by stretching out the spine and creating space between the vertebrae.
Do physical therapists recommend inversion tables?
Using an inversion table is recommended by many physical therapists and some chiropractors too.
The spinal traction which stretches out the muscles surrounding the spine can give some form of relief, but the caveat that many physical therapists will preface the recommendation with is that this is a temporary fix not a permanent one.
So while a physical therapist would likely recommend an inversion table for temporary relief of back pain, they’re unlikely to suggest it as a long term solution.
Do inversion tables help neck pain?
Inversion tables are most commonly used for back pain, but there is some evidence to suggest that they can effectively help alleviate neck pain too.
Since the neck is connected to the spine, you can ease pain through using the inversion tables as it helps decompress the vertebrae in the spinal cord.
Inversion therapy allows for space to open up between vertebrae and promotes better blood flow in the spine, which can aid with both back and neck pain.
How often should you use inversion tables?
The most important thing to bear in mind before attempting to use an inversion table is that you should have someone nearby, to help you get out afterwards if you need.
The first time you try out the inversion table, don’t stay upside down for longer than a minute or 2. After this period, assess how you feel and whether you are light headed or nauseas.
After that, you can work your way up to around 5 minutes a day, for one or two sessions.
Related: Best Compression Gloves
A Final Word From Wellness Nova
Inversion therapy can be helpful for anyone who suffers with back or neck pain, and an inversion table is the piece of equipment that you need to try it out.
Choosing an inversion therapy to buy can be overwhelming, but it essentially boils down to a few factors such as the comfort, durability, and features of the inversion table.
