Archives for March 2017

Finding the Best Inversion Table

With many options and brands available in 2017, it can be very difficult to find the best inversion table.  Prices vary as do the features and quality.  This is a long term investment in treating your back pain, so you need to make a well informed decision.  Selecting your inversion table depends on your specific needs and budget.

With any inversion table, you are turning yourself upside down to hang from your feet.  While you do not need anything complicated, there are several features that will make your inversion experience more convenient and comfortable.  The better the inversion experience, the more likely you will be to use the table on a regular basis.

Below we review the top inversion tables on the market today along with some that would not be the best choice. We have hands-on experience with most of these tables.

Quick Summary

We reviewed more than ten tables below. Here is a quick rundown on our best inversion table evaluation along with links to jump directly to our top picks:

• Best Inversion Table: Teeter EP-560 (click to jump to it below)
• If you have back pain where you cannot reach your ankles: Teeter EP-960 (click to jump to it below)
• If you want to save a few dollars for a less refined table: Ironman Gravity 4000 (click to jump to it below)

How we rated

We based this evaluation on our own experience with inversion tables.  As users of inversion, and former retailers of back pain products, we have assembled dozens of tables, used them, and listened to customer feedback.  The criteria for our top inversion tables are:

• Construction – You will be hanging upside down, supported by your ankles.  The quality of construction is critical for a safe inversion experience.  Along with our own experience, our scoring includes third party certifications and testing. We have noted third party certifications (or lack of) for all the inversion tables reviewed below.  UL 1647 is the most common standard for inversion tables and requires testing such as cycling, mechanical strength, and others to meet the standard.
• Ease of Use – If an inversion table is difficult to use, you will not use it.  Ease of fastening yourself in and making adjustments dictates whether a person will use a table on a regular basis.
• Comfort –  Again, if a table is uncomfortable, you will not use it.  We considered ankle/foot comfort and back comfort (for partial inversion).
• Features – There are not that many “features” needed to hang inverted.  However, certain features improve the experience.  The best inversion table for you will have what is needed for your situation.
• Size & Weight – This criteria is difficult to assess as it can contradict with the quality of construction.  A table with more durable construction may weigh more.  That said, the size and weight of a table is important if you will be taking it out for use or if you have a small area to set up.
• Warranty – Even the most well made products can have issues.  How well a company stands behind their product is a statement of it’s quality. A strong warranty gives you the piece of mind that your are covered if something does go wrong.
• Price - No one has an unlimited budget.  Balance price with the other criteria to find the best value in an inversion table.

Best Inversion Table: Teeter Hang Ups EP-560

Teeter Hang Ups has been producing inversion tables for more than 30 years, and their experience shows in the EP series. The balance of quality and price makes the Teeter EP-560 our best inversion table of 2017. We are very familiar with this table and have done several articles and videos on it. Comfort, build quality, and ease of use put this model on top of our list.

One of the best features of the EP-560 is the way it grips your ankles. Rather than a bar across your feet, as with other models, your ankles are secured by foam lined “ankle cups” from the front and back. The experience is very much like using gravity boots. This table can take the Teeter accessories, such as the lumbar bridge and accupressure nodes. These accessories can be ordered with the table (EP-560 Limited Edition) or ordered later.

When we recommend Teeter products, we have confidence from their 3rd party certifications. This model (and the others in the EP series) is UL listed.  Also, the FDA recently “cleared” Teeter inversion tables.  To our knowledge, Teeter is the only manufacturer that goes to the expense of obtaining these certifications through independent testing and analysis.

Teeter has the best inversion table warranty of those reviewed here. Teeter offers a 5 year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. If you do not like your table, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund. Note that you will have to pay the return shipping.

Teeter claims that you can assemble this table in 13 minutes. We were able to do that, but starting out we had everything unpacked and tools laid out. There is nothing complicated, but for a novice, plan on one hour for assembly. Fortunately, all the major pieces are pre-assembled by the factory.

Size and weight are what you would expect from a quality table. At 58 pounds, the EP-560 is in the middle of those reviewed here for weight.  If you want to put it away while not in use, it folds and can be stowed in a closet or against a wall.

Click to see product…

 

TOP PICK: Teeter Hang Ups EP-960

The Teeter EP-960 would have received the best inversion table designation, but it has a feature for certain users that increases the price. We did an entire video on this, if you have back pain to the point where you cannot reach your ankles, then this is the table to get. The EP-960 has a lever that is used to secure your ankles. When you get into the table, you only have to reach the lever slightly below your knees to fasten into the table. Although more expensive, we like the ankle system. To some, it feels more secure than the standard Teeter Hang Ups pin system used in the EP-560 and other tables. The feature does add weight. This table weighs 65 pounds.

The EP-960 comes with all the features of the EP-560. The same accessories are compatible with the table, and Teeter offers a limited addition if you wish to purchase them with the table. The ankle clamping system comes pre-assembled, so assembly is the same. Just like the EP-560, adjustment is easy and quick if you have people of different heights using the table. A couple years ago we did a video on adjustment where we demonstrated switching the table from a 6’7″ person to a 5’5″ person in a few seconds.

Click to see product…

 

LOW PRICE ALTERNATIVE: Ironman Fitness Gravity 4000

While not our best inversion table, we are pleasantly surprised by the Ironman 4000 inversion table. This is a heavy duty table at an affordable price. The sample we reviewed had no problems and was set up in a little over one hour. The directions could be more clear. If we were not familiar with inversion tables, we would have struggled on some steps. The fit and finish does not match that of the more expensive Teeter models, but it seems very solid.

The table uses an older style vinyl covered foam bed. As you go inverted you will sink into the foam. Because of this you do not get the sliding affect of a full plastic bed and you may need to invert at a higher angle to get the full stretching benefit of inversion. The lumbar attachment for the bed is nice, but dependent on the user. We appreciate that it is included rather than an extra add-on.

Unlike the Teeter models, you cannot positively lock out at full inversion. Teeter accomplishes this by going slightly past full inversion so you are hanging with your body not touching the table. Since most inversion is done at a lesser angle, this may not be a concern. It would be a problem if you plan on doing exercises on the table (sit-ups, crunches, side-twists, etc).

At 75 pounds, this is the heaviest manual inversion table we have looked at. While this is not a consideration if you plan to leave it in one place, it is be more difficult to move.

Warranty is one year for the frame and 90 days for everything else. This is a fairly standard warranty for fitness equipment, but we feel that it should be longer for all parts. The first thing to wear out, we suspect, is the plastic covered foam bed. If you use your table every day, this could become a concern. We are not aware of any third party testing or certifications for the Ironman tables.

Support materials are lacking with this model. Ours included a brief assembly manual with no real advice on inversion and no DVD.

While not our best inversion table, the Ironman 4000 is a good alternative to the more expensive Teeter Hang Ups Models.

Click to see product…

 

Teeter Hang Ups Contour L5

The Teeter Contour L5 is close to the best inversion table this year, but between price and availability it does not take our top spot. We wrote an article explaining that the Contour L5 is usually reserved for brick and mortar stores. Manufacturers such as Teeter need to keep their physical store retailers happy, and exclusive products are offered to them. As a result, the L5 is significantly more expensive than the comparable EP-960 and harder to find. Occasionally a few units will work themselves into online channels.

The Contour L5 has a very stylish design with the curved legs. This does not affect performance, but it does set it apart from other Teeter inversion tables. Colors are nice as well with the black bed and silver-grey steel frame.

The table includes the easy reach handle for your ankles. As we mentioned with the EP-960 above, this enables you to fasten yourself into the table without reaching down to your ankles.

The one completely unique feature of the L5 is the one click balance feature. With this feature, you rotate a dial to adjust the balance and therefore speed of rotation as you go back and come up. With other tables, you have to reset the balance point by partially disassembling the pivot points. This is a setting that a single user will set once and never touch again. However, when there are multiple users who prefer different rotational speeds while inverting, this is an excellent feature.

Click to see product…

 

Teeter Hang Ups EP-560 SPORT

The Teeter EP-560 Sport is a great but misunderstood inversion table. We know many people who consider this the best inversion table available. It comes with everything an EP-560 has plus it adds a Gravity Boot conversion kit. This enables you to use the table with the included Gravity Boots. These boots are hard plastic shells with a couple of inches of foam on the inside and hooks to hang from. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to watch a video we did on the Gravity Boot Conversion kit.

Gravity Boots are more comfortable than any inversion table clamping system (the EP-560 and EP960 are close). They also feel more secure. You can use these on a chin up type bar, so you can take these to the gym to use as part of your workout (please be sure the bar is rated for your weight!). The downside to using them with an inversion table is that you have to put them on. Although less than a couple minutes, this can seem time consuming and may lead to you inverting less often. With a standard inversion table, you would simply get in the table, activate the clamping mechanism and invert. The Sport model does come with the standard foot clamps, but changing the table back and forth for use with Gravity Boots is not something you are going to want to do on a regular basis.

If you do not mind putting the Gravity Boots on before you use your table, then we recommend the EP-560 Sport. The incremental cost may be worth it to you. However, if you feel that you want a table you can simply walk up to and use, then one of the models above would be the best inversion table for you.

Click to see product…

 

Combination Table: Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared

The Ironman IFT 1000 offers a lot for the price. Infrared technology has been used for some time to alleviate pain, and we have experience with it from other products we have reviewed. This table combines inversion therapy with infrared light to target back pain. While we agree that both technologies are effective, to manufacture a table at this price point with both, sacrifices are made.

As mentioned for one of the products above, we are not big fans of foam covered inversion tables. This prevents the sliding necessary for effective partial inversion. Also, the foam/vinyl back is a wear item. The table has only a 90 warranty on parts (1 year on the frame). An electrical component on a wear surface could easily have issues shortly after the 90 days.

Like other Ironman tables, you cannot positively lockout at full inversion. This can become a problem if you plan to do exercises on the table like sit-ups, crunches, or side-twists.

The ankle restraint system is similar to older tables from Teeter and others. Unlike Teeter or the Ironman 4000, this table utilizes a foam padded bar on the front rather than the preferred cushioned cups. The ankle mechanism is lacking the tall handle of the 4000 model. If you have back pain to the point that you cannot reach your ankles, you should consider a different table.

Click to see product…

 

Innova ITM4800 Advanced Heat and Massage

We are not impressed with the Innova ITM4800, and it is far from the best inversion table. For the money, there are better options.

The main marketing point of this table is the infrared/vibration pad that runs across the width of the table. We can understand the thought here, but feel that the execution is poor. While your experience may be different, many find the pad to be uncomfortable and cannot use it on the table. The advertising says you can use it while sitting in a chair, but we found that the vibration did not penetrate deeply and there are better infrared products on the market.

The table has a handle between the foot clamps, but it does not operate like those on a higher quality table. The user still has to reach down to the top clamp itself in order to faster into the table, which defeats the purpose. That said, the foot clamps are fairly comfortable.

The manufacturer attempted innovation with the angle adjustment. A pin is inserted into different angle points near the pivot of the frame. We prefer a simple tether strap rather than this arrangement.

Click to see product…

 

Innova ITX9600

The Innova ITX 9600 is popular, but far from the best inversion table. It is a discount table at an attractive price. Obvious sacrifices were made to achieve the low cost.

The foot clamps consist of a bar that holds against the top of your feet and your ankles are supported by foam padded cups. The is an outdated design, and can be uncomfortable.

Aside from a basic assembly guide, this table does not include additional support materials such as information about inversion. Assembly seemed very time consuming. Not much of the table comes pre-assembled, so there are many small parts. It comes with a wrench tool, but we transitioned to a socket wrench because of all the fasteners we had to install.

The manufacturer offers a one year warranty that does not specify parts vs. frame. We assume that the warranty covers all parts for the entire year. This is better than others, but not to the level of the higher end tables, such as those from Teeter.

Click to see product…

 

Ironman Gravity 1000

This is the inversion table that Darwin forgot. Ironman tables have evolved well beyond this model, but it is still offered. The design is similar to the cheap inversion tables from 10+ years ago. We cannot recommend this outdated inversion table.

Click to see product…

Summary

When selecting the best inversion table for you, keep in mind that this is a long term investment. I recall speaking with the president of an inversion table manufacturer at a trade show who pointed out that the difference between inversion tables and exercise equipment is that people actually use inversion tables. Many people find the affect of inversion so positive that they continue to use a table for years. Contrast this against a typical exercise equipment purchase that may see use for a few months and then sit idle, and you can understand why quality is critical for inversion products. This comes through in our inversion table reviews above and elsewhere on this site.

Is there an inversion table we missed? A feature or issue we should have written about? Questions about any of the information provided here? Please let us know in the comment section below!