Inversion Table Comparisons - A Buyer's Price Guide

This is probably the biggest question you have. It's a big purchase and it's a little scary looking. So let's explore some of the benefits of inversion therapy.

The main reason why people use inversion tables is for relief of back pain. Inverting creates an anti-gravitational effect on your spine, relieving pressure and pain. Many people with sciatica and lower back pain find tremendous relief from inversion therapy.

Other benefits include better circulation, stress reduction, muscle relaxation and increased oxygen to the brain. It's also said that it can improve posture and reduce the effects of aging - I like these two! You know how we get shorter and slouchier as we get older? With regular inversion therapy you can slow that down.

I've suffered from back pain on and off for about 10 years. I have re-occurring lower back pain and neck pain that can sometimes cause upper back pain. When I first went to a chiropractor they said my pelvis was uneven. They were able to help me so I didn't bother to get a second opinion. Since then I've changed chiropractors several times. I finally found one that doesn't attempt to talk me into scheduling 3 appointments a week.

Then a friend of mine told me about his inversion table. He's older and suffers from back pain from time to time. He told me how fantastic and refreshing it feels and how it keeps him out of the doctor's office. I asked my chiropractor about it and she gave me a thumbs-up. I didn't bother doing an inversion table comparison. I just went out and bought the first cheap one I could find.

The result? Instead of going to the chiropractor twice a month, I now go once every 3-4 months! Some of my lower back pain went away when I went on a gluten-free diet (more about that in a future lens). Now when I go to my chiropractor it's usually because of upper-back/neck problems. I find that inversion therapy is great for upper-body stretches. Decompressing the spine seems to make the stretches more fruitful. I also find it incredibly de-stressing and relaxing. My chiropractor has noticed a difference as well. She says the key to inversion therapy is to be consistent with it. I use it twice a day - when I awake and after work. I really love it!

Let's start our inversion table comparison by looking at prices. They can run anywhere from $99 to $1000. I know what you're probably wondering - are inversion tables safe? Extremely cheap inversion tables aren't quality products, so I wouldn't consider them very safe. They use cheap materials, aren't very stable, don't invert all the way, and don't balance well. I'd stay away from inversion tables that cost less than $100. But you can still get a safe inversion table for under $250.

Because you don't get many features with a lower-end inversion table, comparisons in this price range can be difficult. Most companies make collapsible inversion tables for easier storage. This is very common among the budget tables. A good budget table should be well constructed and sturdy. It should be able to hold 250 to 300 lbs. Be sure to check the weight and height restrictions before buying.

Most budget inversion tables don't balance extremely well. What that means is that the user might have trouble coming back up. You usually have to bend your knees and slide while pulling yourself up. This isn't really much of problem for most users and isn't as difficult as it sounds. But you should be aware of it if you have upper-body restrictions.

Here are some quality economy inversion tables that consistently get good reviews.

Mid-range tables offer more features than budget models. When doing your inversion table comparisons you should make note of these features. They include such items as ratcheted ankle-locks; easier ankle-release-features; better balancing; locking mechanisms for stable exercise routines; and extras such as exercise DVDs and pillows.

Here are some popular mid-range inversion tables that get good reviews.

High-end inversion tables can run anywhere between $500 and $1000. There aren't very many high-end tables to choose from. You can find heavy duty, professional-grade manual tables for under $1000. Powered inversion tables will usually run you over $1000.

Here are two good high-end inversion tables currently being sold on Amazon.

Inversion therapy has been around for thousands of years. The first method of inversion was in the form of yoga poses - upside down-type poses I guess. I'm not a yoga guru so you'll have to use your own imagination on that one.

Then along came Hippocrates. He's considered the father of medicine. He hung people upside down using a system of ropes, pullies and ladders. He did this to help them, not to torture them. Just thought I'd clarify that. Luckily we've come a long way since then.

The modern day inversion table has been around since the 1970's and has enjoyed a rapid growth of popularity during the last decade. Most people are using it for back-care. Many others are incorporating it into their whole-body-wellness regime

See how easy this table comes back up? He's using a precisely balanced table which makes it easier to come up out of the inverted position. If I had done an inversion table comparison before buying I would have known that not all tables are created equal. A table like this is definitely on my wish list!