We tried the best inversion tables for ironing out back pain and fixing niggles in the neck and spine

Inversion tables are generally used to help with back pain and other back problems. There are a variety of good inversion tables that allow you to fully invert the body and use gravity to create space in the spine and improve blood flow to extremities to recovery from injury and reduce pain in the lower back (lumbar), upper back (thoracic), neck (cervical), shoulders and other areas of the body that can get painful from load bearing and shock, injury and posture related issues.

In today’s world, many people spend too long sitting at a desk and develop poor posture habits from thousands of hours sitting. For people with chronic back aches and pains and other associated issues like disc injuries, sciatica, hip pain, spondylosis. An inversion table can help alleviate some body pains and realign using nothing more than gravity.

Spending an hour each day upside down on an inversion table can have life changing benefits for some people including reducing nerve pain from pinching nerves, relaxing muscle tension, realigning the spine, improving circulation and blood flow, relaxation and mood improvement, disc rehydration, better joint health and overall less pain. Some have reported added benefits combining inversion table use with cold plunge, sauna therapy and red light therapy for reducing pain and recovering faster after a hard workout.

We have spent hours of inversion time to find the best inversion tables to help ditch your back pain, move better and feel better. Our inversion table recommendations are tested on their ease of use, price, functionality, design and comfort levels and remember to consult a medical practitioner for the treatment of injuries to ensure that an inversion table benefits you.

Best Inversion Tables 2024 – Our Top Picks

Best Overall – Teeter Fitspine LX9 Inversion Table

The Teeter Fitspine LX9 is the overall best inversion table to buy online. Teeter specialise in inversion tables and have been doing so for many years with a premium grade and design in inversion tools to help with lower back pain, neck pain, spinal and postural issues and more. The Teeter LX9 is FDA tested and approved and comes with a 5 year warranty which makes it the leader in inversion tables.

Best in Australia – Everfit Gravity Inversion Table

The Everfit Gravity is the best inversion table in Australia and offers a much more affordable price compared to the Teeter at $299AUD. THE Everfit Inversion Table is still very sturdy despite the price and has high-density foam padding, 180 degree locking mechanism with 3 preset positions, a 1.5 year warranty and 14 day returns policy.

Best on Amazon – Innova Inversion Table

The Innova Inversion Table is the best inversion table on Amazon in 2024 and has loads of positive reviews to back it up. The Innova Inversion Table features shoulder and waste straps to lock your body in a safe position and is suitable for up to 300lbs of weight. This inversion table has almost 2000 five star reviews and is $1090 on Amazon.

Best Budget – Teeter Fitspine X1 Inversion Table

The Teeter Fitspine X1 Inversion Table is our top pick for best budget inversion table of 2024. The Teeter X1 is a cheaper option in the Teeter range and still has everything you would want in an inversion table for back pain. The Teeter X1 is $200USD less than the Teeter LX9 and comes with a 60 day returns policy and free shipping in the US.

Best with Heat – Innova 5900 Heat and Massage Inversion Table

The Innova 5900 is the best heated inversion table which also includes multiple massage functions. The Innova Heated inversion table costs $1200 and combines the benefits of inversion tables with the benefits of heat and massage. The Innova 5900 can take up to 300lbs of weight and comes with a 1.5 year warranty and is available on Amazon.

What Are The Benefits of Inversion Tables

Everyday life, injury, poor posture, bad habits and even genetics can effect the health of the spine and can contribute to niggles, pains and chronic issues with the back.

The spine is made up of 33 bones, called vertebrae, that make up five different sections of the back. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar sacrum and coccyx sections each perform a different function and can support the trunk and neck in different axis of movement.

Sometimes these vertebrae can suffer wear and tear or acute injury and produce disc bulges or disc protrusion, disc herniations, slipped discs and other disc related injuries that cause pain to the lower back, upper back or neck as well as radiation pain throughout other areas of the body.

So, what are the benefits of using inversion tables?

An inversion table is less invasive treatment to surgery or mechanical traction devices and can help alleviate load and pressure off these types of injuries, by inverting the body and using gravity to take the majority of the pressure away from the vertebrae and the discs that separate them. Inversion tables can have the following benefits:

·      Reduce Nerve Pain and Pinching

Using an inversion table can allow the discs between the vertebrae to become plump and rehydrated due to the decrease in pressure from going upside down. One of the most compressing postures or positions for the discs is sitting. When you sit, stand, exercise and conduct any load bearing exercises, the discs are compressed and fluid is squeezed out of them like a sponge.

While you may experience some alleviation of this compression with a good night’s sleep, to get true decompression of the discs it is beneficial to use your body weight to help take the pressure off discs which can in turn reduce the pain associated with pinched nerves, sciatic pain and disc injuries.

·      Reduce Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common reported types of back pain. Strong abdominals and a solid core are the foundation of reducing the risk of back injury and lower back pain. Conducting ab exercises or basic squats inverted on an inversion table can help to build strength in the muscle around the core, trunk and legs to be better able to support the spine. Doing such exercises inverted can provide an opportunity to do the exercises pain-free while avoiding compressive forces on the spine.

·      Reduce Neck Pain

Neck pain is another common pain reported which can be debilitating and contribute to other issues like headaches. Using an inversion table to help with neck pain would operate on the same set of principles associated with relieving lower back pain, in the going upside down allows disc to separate, rehydrate and pressure to be alleviated from the spine.

·      Reduce Headaches

A migraine headache may be the result of reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. While there is limited science linking inversion table use to the reduction in migraines and headaches, there are many inversion table reviews from happy customers stating that using an inversion table has significantly reduced headaches and migraine symptoms which may be linked to the increased oxygen flow to the brain from going upside down. Pretty cool stuff!

·      May Improve Sleep

It is true that using an inversion table can reduce muscle tension significantly through the mechanisms described earlier in this article. Decreased muscle tension and increased relaxation has been associated with improvements in sleep. Therefore, it may be assumed that a decrease in muscular tension associated with using an inversion table before bed could help with getting a better nights sleep.

·      Postural Realignment

Many activities, especially those repeated thousands of times without correct form or technique like carrying or lifting object, walking, sitting, or any biomechanical movement, can cause misalignment of the vertebrae. When a vertebra is out of alignment from overuse, acute impact or injury or the ligaments and muscles that support the spine are not operating as they should, it can cause postural deviations that result in pain that radiates around the body.

When we sleep, these misalignments are unfortunately not corrected and to recorrect the posture can take time and professional treatment from a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist. An inversion table is a tool that many of these professionals may recommend as a take-home method to assist in spinal realignment in a non-invasive manner.

The Nachemson medical study showed that when inverted to 60 degrees, like that of an inversion table, the pressure imposed on the spine drops down to zero. This removes pressure from the spine and encourages a natural return to correct alignment of the spine and potentially a reduction in pain and injury.

How We Choose

As inversion tables are supporting your weight in an inverted or near upside down position, safety is paramount when looking for the best inversion table. When reviewing inversion tables, we look for strong manufacturing standards, from trusted brands and retailers. Of course, price and design are factors to consider when buying an inversion table too, and there is indeed an inversion table for every budget.

We also look for an extended warranty of over 1 year and aim for brands that offer some degree of risk-free trial period of 30 days or more to test the inversion table out for yourself.

Best Inversion Tables 2024 – Review and Buyers Guide

Inversion tables can offer a cost effective way to manage back pain associated with age or injury and it is a much less risky or invasive treatment than back surgery. Using an Inversion Table may be something to consider before opting for risky and expensive surgeries, however that advice is definitely up to a qualified medical practitioner. We have a handful of the best inversion tables we have reviewed in 2024 that range in price, design and functionality. All of

Best Overall – Teeter Fitspine LX9 Inversion Table

Price: $549USD

Warranty: 5 years plus 60 money back guarantee

Capacity: 300lbs

The Teeter Fitspine LX9 Inversion Table is one of the few inversion tables we have seen that is actually registered on the FDA as an approved medical device. To obtain this certification, the Teeter Inversion table would have gone through significant testing for safety and efficacy for treatment, demonstrating its reliability and trusted quality.

The Teeter Fitspine LX9 is a premium inversion table, priced at $549USD, and includes access to the TeeterMoveTM app which has tutorials, guided lessons, an online video library and specified classes with a Corrective Exercise Specialist to advance recovery from pain and injury. your recovery journey every step of the way. It is made from a high-gauge, steel that is heat treated for durability and safety. When you buy the Teeter LX9 you will also get a storage caddy, lumbar bridge and head pillow with acupressure nodes to improve the user experience.

The Teeter Fitspine LX9 has one of the better warranty inclusions we have come across for inversion tables, offering a 5-year warranty.

Best in Australia – Everfit Gravity Inversion Table

Price: $240AUD

Warranty: 1.5 years

Capacity: 120kgs

The Everfit Gravity Inversion Table is the best inversion table in Australia. The Everfit Gravity is priced at $299AUD, which is an affordable price compared so other options like the Teeter.

The extra wide backrest is padded with high-density foam to provide you with adequate support and comfort. Inversion is adjustable up to 180° with three pre-set locking positions too. A safety belt and locking ankle clamp always keep you securely in place, the removable cushioned lumbar support provides added comfort, and the padded U-frame handles ensure that you always have a firm grip and can easily return to the upright position.

The sturdy frame is constructed with industrial-strength powder-coated rust-proof steel and can support a maximum weight of up to 120kg. The height can be adjusted to accommodate all users and the Everfit table can be folded up and stored away.

It comes with a 1.5 year warranty and offers a 14 day Change of Mind Policy.

Best on Amazon – Innova Inversion Table

Price: $1090AUD

Warranty: 1.5 years

Capacity: 300lbs

The Innova Inversion Table from Amazon is a well-priced, well reviewed inversion table that includes shoulder and waste straps to securely lock your body into position when using the inversion table.

The Innova Inversion table is suitable for up to 300lbs capacity and can accommodate users between the height range of 4ft 10in and 6ft 6in.

The Six Angle Pin System on the Innova Inversion Table allows users to trust that the ITX9688 will easily and safely transition through inversion positions.

The Innova Inversion Table only comes with a factory standard one year warranty but has many customer reviews that point to its safety, quality and trust. The Innova Inversion table has over 1,900 reviews with an average rating over 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Best Budget – Teeter Fitspine X1 Inversion Table

Price: $349USD

Warranty: 5 years

Capacity: 300lbs

The Teeter Fitspine X1 Inversion Table is a more budget version of the LX9, and at a lower price of $349USD. The Teeter X1 includes very similar features to its more premium counterpart, but does not come with the LX Ergonomic Frame with Boarding Platform, the Deluxe EZ-Reach Ankle System, the EZ-Stretch Traction Handles or the Stretch Max Handles.

Teeter Inversion Tables also comes with a 60-day money back guarantee and free shipping.

Best with Heat – Innova 5900 Heat and Massage Inversion Table

Price: $1200AUD

Warranty: 1 year

Capacity: 300lbs

It is well known that heat and massage therapy has enormous benefits for reducing muscle tension, pain and reducing recovery time from injury. The Innova 5900 pairs the benefits of inversion tables with the benefits of heat and massage in this premium inversion table.

Due to the added functions of the Innova 5900 Inversion table, it comes at a premium price of $1200, but is well worth it.

The vertical massage pad covers the entire spine area with a contour integrated lumbar pad to provide a close-up heat and massage therapy for the lower back/waist area. It has multi-mode heating and massage settings with auto and manual selection for a complete massage experience while inverted. The experience of using an inversion table is a unique one on its own, but when you add some heat and massage, it is seriously incredible and will blow your mind if you have the budget for it.

Inversion Table FAQs

Are inversion tables safe to use? 

Inversion tables are safe for most people to use, however there are a few groups of people that would fall into the category of avoiding the use of inversion tables.

Hanging upside down has its own set of risks and if you are considering buying an inversion table to help with back pain or injury, it is important to first consult a professional who is qualified to give medical advice. As per the Mayo Clinic website, they do not recommend inversion table for those people with Heart Problems, circulation issues, Glaucoma, or any other medical conditions that would be negatively impacted by the increase in blood pressure around the head.

How long should you use an inversion table?

The amount of time you can spend upside down on an inversion table will largely depend on your tolerance. For newbies to inversion, you could start with as little as 30 second to a minute upside down and reset to see how you feel. Once you are well adjusted to using an inversion table, it is recommended that you aim for 10-20 minutes per inversion session to get the most benefit.

Can you pass out from hanging upside down?

It is possible to pass out from hanging upside for too long and it is indeed a risk associated with using inversion tables. Always consult the warnings on the product documentation and understand the correct way to use an inversion table.

Conclusion on Best Inversion Table

Inversion tables are a proven way to reduce back pain and offer a non-invasive alternative to back surgery. The best inversion tables are those which come with a solid construction, a strong warranty and an ergonomic design that allows you to get in and out of the device safely.

The overall best inversion table we have tested in 2024 is the Teeter Fitspine LX9 Inversion Table among some other solid contenders like the runner-up, Everfit Gravity Inversion Table. As always, we highly encourage you to check out as many inversion table reviews as possible to gain a good insight into user experience and customer support for each inversion table brands before you buy.