The Best Inversion Tables to Help Work Out the Kinks In Your Back
Get at-home relief and relaxation from a good stretch of the spine.
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An inversion table might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re furnishing your home gym, but it could be the one of the most important. Inversion tables are helpful for people with back pain, as they can reduce and even eliminate discomfort from chronic back pain, sciatica, and herniated disks. Even if you have a healthy back, an inversion table can improve your posture, release stress, and stretch out your spine after a day hunched at a desk. Since there are quite a few options out there, we have selected some of the best and highlighted their standout features below. Read on for in-depth reviews and things to keep in mind as you buy.
The Best Inversion Tables
What to Consider
At first glance, it seems like all inversion tables are pretty much the same. And this is true to a certain extent, but it’s the smaller details that differentiate the models and will help you choose the right one for you. Here are a few key features to look out for and how they work.
Adjustable lumbar pillow: Most inversion tables will have some sort of lumbar pillow, but the adjustable ones are best. These help to keep your back properly aligned when you’re lying on the table and prevent it from straining while stretching.
Heat and vibration: Some tables have added features like heat and vibration. While they’re not necessary to the function of the table, they do help to loosen the muscles quickly and effectively. This can also be a welcome sensation if you suffer from back pain.
Acupressure points: These are hard balls that work out trigger points in your back and help to release stress and tension deep within the muscles. This is great for your physical health but can also help you feel more relaxed overall.
How We Choose
To find the best options among the many inversion tables out there, we researched the most popular models available. We then took into account price, weight limit, features, size, and comfort. Finally, we consulted more than 20,000 reviews, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon, to settle on these six best.
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Innova Health and Fitness ITX1200 Inversion Table
Innova Health and Fitness ITX1200 Inversion Table
Pros
- Supportive handles
- Adjustable position pins
Cons
- Some customers thought the build quality looked cheap
Not everyone enjoys the idea of dangling upside down, and frankly we don’t blame them. This inversion table has stretch handles that allow you to support yourself instead of just hanging. It also has double-padded ankles and an adjustable lumbar, which help to keep it comfortable and supportive.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 350 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Stretch bars, 3 pin positions, cushioned ankle pads |
Innova Health and Fitness ITM4800 Inversion Table
Innova Health and Fitness ITM4800 Inversion Table
Pros
- Heat and massage controlled by remote
- Affordable
Cons
- Some customers had issues with the ankle monitors
If you struggle with lower back pain and tightness, you may want to consider an inversion table like this one that offers a heated, massaging lumbar pillow. The addition of heat and massage can help in relaxing your muscles and relieving back pain.
This adjustable model is a great option for people short and tall. You control the massager via a remote, which means you can adjust it even when upside-down. And despite having these extras, it’s more affordable than the Harison and other Innova above.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 300 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Heated massaging lumbar pad, adjustable for heights 4' 10" to 6' 6" |
Harison Inversion Table For Back Pain
Pros
- Very plush cushion
- Large height range
Cons
- Expensive
Inversion tables may provide great results, but they aren’t always the most comfortable. This one, however, has a 3D memory-foam cushion, which supports and aligns the back. This one is also particularly large and fits people up to 6-foot-5 (though it also adjusts for those as short as 4-foot-8). It’s also wide and can hold up to 300 pounds.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 300 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Memory-foam backrest, plush foam ankle holds, widely adjustable height range |
Body Vision IT9550 Inversion Table
Body Vision IT9550 Inversion Table
Pros
- Small footprint
- Easy to move
Cons
- Low weight limit
This inversion table is relatively affordable, and it’s slightly smaller and easier to move around and better if you’re working within a tighter space. It also has an adjustment bar that allows you to set the inversion angle between 20 and 90 degrees. The only downside of that small size is the slightly lower weight limit, about 250 pounds.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 250 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Adjustable inversion angle, large adjustable lumbar pad |
UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing
Pros
- Lighweight
- High weight limit
Cons
- Can be difficult to use
An inversion table isn’t the only way to get your spine to decompress. This yoga swing is cheaper and takes up much less room, which makes it a good option for apartments or small spaces. It’s also more versatile than a typical inversion table, and you can use it for flexibility and upper-arm strength exercises.
This model includes the mounting hardware so you can hang it from wood or concrete. And, as long as it’s mounted properly, it can hold up to 550 pounds.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 550 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Useful for stretches and exercises, includes ceiling mount |
ChiFit Multi-Level Back Stretching Device
Pros
- Portable
- High weight limit
Cons
- Not as effective as an inversion table
If you’re strapped for space and also can’t hang something from your ceiling, this stretching device is a great option. It’s lightweight and relatively small, fitting easily under a bed or in a closet. Its adjustability lets you dial it in to one of three different heights based on your preference and back flexibility. A cushioned portion supports the spine, while a spiked plastic outer edge works into muscles to help release and relax them.
Key Specs
| Weight limit: | 390 lb |
|---|---|
| Added features: | Arch cushion, acupressure spikes, three arch positions |
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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