Inversion Table Guide

If you are looking for the best inversion machines (also commonly known as inversion tables), then ask yourself – do you know what exactly you need to be looking for? Many people have seen the various teeter inversion machine adds on TV and realize the value that inversion therapy adds to your life – but they don’t really know what to look for or how much they should be spending on a good inversion machine. In this post we hope to clarify some of these questions.

Specifics to Look For In A Good Inversion Machine

When it comes to inversion tables there are a few specific tools that you want to make sure your table has.  First, you want to make sure the machine will support whomever will be inverting on it.  Most beginner’ and even ‘intermediate’ models will typically support people up to 250 lbs and 6′ 6″.  Unfortunately, if you are taller or heavier than that you will need to be extra careful and make sure that your inversion machine will support more weight/height.  There are inversion tables and inversion chairs out there that support over 600 lbs. – you just have to make sure you find them and are willing to pay a little more for it.

Second, since it can be difficult for some people to adjust to hanging upside down for the first few times, if you are a beginning inverter, then you want to make sure that not only is the back inversion machine easy to operate, but that there are safety mechanisms in place to help you to not invert more than what you would feel comfortable doing.  Most inversion tables come with some sort of tethering strap that helps you accomplish this.  However, the more expensive models, such as the Health Mark Pro Max inversion table, come with preset angle settings that allow you to more easily concentrate on inverting properly, and not worrying about how far down you are going to go.  While these straps do almost always come on inversion tables and chairs, they obviously cannot come with inversion gravity boots.

Third, you want to make sure that the gravity inversion machine you purchase will allow you to do the inversion  exercises you want to do.  Examples of the types of exercises you could possibly do include the following:

• inverted sit-ups or crunches
• back hyperextensions

You should be able to do these two exercises with just about any inversion table (as long as it will lock into place or allow you to stay stable while freely hanging) and any set of gravity boots.  However, you won’t be able to enjoy these benefits with an inversion chair.

Finally, there are a few smaller ‘options’ that you can and should consider before you purchase back inversion machines.  These options include:

• ‘Flex Technology’ (only found on Teeter inversion machines), which allows the back pad to flex and let’s you get even more out of your exercises.
• Face up and/or face down inverted positions.  Most tables will only allow you to invert face up; however, some will allow you to invert face down so a doctor or massage therapist can work on your back while you are inverted.
• The ability to fold up and store easily (self explanitory)
• Ability to use either traditional foot/ankle clamps or use gravity boots in conjunction with the inversion table.   This could be a big advantage for some people, especially those whose ankles hurt when their feet are in hanging in the traditional clamps.

Summary/Opinion

There are a lot of little variations in the many different inversion table machines available on the market today.  However, the most important differences are not the small ‘options’ – they are the issues like safety and weight/height requirements.  As such, make sure you find those specific details in any inversion machine you are wanting to purchase.