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Our Recommended Best Inversion Table In The UK Is The Exerpeutic 975SL Inversion Table.!
Like everything in life, there will be differing views about what is healthy and what isn't. What is interesting is that more and more people are suffering with their health especially their backs.
In their desperation people are trying any sort of back therapy. As a result of misuse, lack of knowledge or in some cases pure quackery many legitimate back pain relief therapies as well as back pain relief products get a very bad press.
Inversion tables are no exception. However, there's been some interesting research into back pain, its causes, and the best non intrusive treatment to manage it.
Our modern day sedentary lifestyle seems to play a huge part in why so many adults now suffer back pain.
One study showed that pressure on the vertebrae is 250% more when sitting than when standing, and to lying down will remove only 75% of the discomfort.
What was surprising was that using an inversion table for back pain set at 60 degrees for about 15 minutes per day removed all back pain, and many subjects saw other benefits of inversion over time.
So, which is the best inversion table? Five of the most reccommended inversion tables were selected from other popular reviews and scrutinised with the following criteria:
On first inspection the 975SL oozes quality. The frame itself is thick high tensile tubular steel rounded without the tell tale pinch of a short bending tool. The brazing of its joints (which are very few) are smooth and well trimmed. The frame is finally smoothly powder coated for a pleasing, quality even finish.
The 975SL inversion table 's sturdy frame allows a maximum user weight capacity of over 300 pounds or 158kg. With its fully adjustable foam backrest , the 975SL can accommodate anyone with back pain from 1.47m to 1.98m who needs inversion therapy.
The backrest is double stitched and filled with 2.3" (5.4 cms) of memory foam and firmly attached to a high tensile steel frame.
Exerpeutic have also included a moveable lumbar support cushion which can slid up and down which will not only help with comfort but also in treating lower back pain.
The Exerpeutic 975SL inversion table is also extremely easy to use if there is no one there to help.
The ankle brackets are very well padded, again with AIRSOFT 2.3" (5.4 cms) memory foam, ensuring each ankle and feet are gently but firmly held in place during inversion, avoiding any slippage or "travel".
However, the ankle bracket story doesn't end there for this inversion table. Unlike similar tables, the 975SL uses Exerpeutic 's patented palm activated ankle locking system known as "SURELOCK", it is a 2 piece ratchet, which does away with any sort of traditional straps.
With ankles held firmly and comfortably in place will really help in relieving back pain as there is real feeling of being safe.
The 975SL allows an infinite number of inversion settings from 0° to 180 degrees, all thanks to Exerpeutic's easy to use US and worldwide patented "iControl disk brake" feature which is lever operated and within easy reach.
So, if the best setting is 60 degrees , it can be set without leaving the therapy table.
This "iControl disk brake" means there is no need for safety straps as is the case for the vast majority of other inversion tables on the market.
With the innovative "iControl disk brake" comes added versitility . The Exerpeutic 975SL is now not only an inversion table for use in the jrelief of back pain, but is transformed into a body core exerciser. Inclined sit ups, side ab curls and host of other exercises for the "core" can all be gently done.
Researchers have shown that when the body's core muscles are toned and strengthened, body posture is improved, which in turn leads to reduced back pain, especially in the lower back.
While being securely held, it's also a help to know that the apparatus is stable on the floor. The Exerpeutic 975SL has extremely wide and thick rubber "anti-slip" pads which seem to stick themselves to the floor, so with its sturdy build, this inversion table "goes nowhere" when in use.
Comfort is vital once in "inversion", and to get comfortable, Exerpeutic have cleverly fitted 2 hand grips on the base of the 975SK therapy table, so that adjusting position is comparatively easy and pain free.
One little accessory that had this review scratching its collective head was the fitting of a water bottle holder to the side near the apex of the 975SL's frame.
While useful let's say, during a full on workout, is its inclusion worth it during a relatively short inversion therapy session with a gentle core exercise session really necessary.Some may argue that it is a welcome bonus feature, but many may argue that its inclusion is just a gimmick.
The Exerpeutic 975SL therapy table, despite its sturdy heavy duty steel build and almost "gym style" appearance is designed to be folded away for storage.
As per nearly all inversion tables available in the market, the Exerpeutic 975SL comes with a standard 1 year warranty.
While top inversion table reviews such as "Best Inversion Table UK" found no fault with the Exerpeutic 975SL, there were a couple of minor faults with this, one of the best inversion tables on the market.
The Exerpeutic 975SL is by far the most expensive of all the inversion tables in under assessment. While well designed and very well built with very high quality components, its price may be just too high to be considered worth it by some.
This is quite a heavy piece of equipment, weighing 74 lbs (34 kg) the 975SL may be hard to manouevre single handedly.
Exerpeutic had seemed to have all things covered apart from there being no head rest, a little thing perhaps , but still a disappointment.
The inclusion of a water bottle holder may be seen as an ill thought out gimmick.
The Exerpeutic 975SL is a high quality inversion table with added versitility as a "core" exerciser, and depite its very few ngative points, is possibly one of the best inversion tables available.
The italian made BH Fitness G400 is striking with its black, red and chromium colour scheme.
The G400 inversion table has a chrome coloured tubular steel frame made up of more than 5 sections which has to be assembled before use.
Assembly took almost 90 minutes and from what was gathered by existing owners, this is about average.
The brazing on the jounts was not well smoothed down and trimmed, which was made more noticeable by the polished chrome finish.
The BH Fitness G400 has a maximum height capacity of 6' 2" ( 1.90m), with the back rest being fully adjustable for that. The maximum weight capacity of the G400 inversion table is 130 kg (287 lbs).
The well made foam backrest allows for comfortable use of inversion therapy, however, the lack of any lumbar support was noticeable when inverted, and its ommission would affect the inversion table 's ability to further relieve back pain
The ankle locking system on the G400 is simplicity itself. It is a basic set up of 2 vey well padded bars and a steel foot rest, just sliding both feet between the bars locks the ankles in place.
The BH Fitness G400 inversion table can be inclined to almost 180 degrees, withthe angle of inversion being controlled by a safety strap, which is suitably adjusted before inverting.
Before anyone can use an inversion table to relieve back pain, it is essential to make sure that the therapy table is stable and won't slide or slip. The G400 makes sure of that by having "anti-slip" rubber floor pads fitted.
The BH Fitness G400 has 2 very large foam padded hand grips leading from its apex to almost half way to the floor, ideal for safe inversion and also to become upright again.
While having a weight capacity of 130 kg (287 lbs), the G400 weighs in at a surprisingly light 29 kg (63 lbs), making it relatively manouevrable. Coupled with its folded away compactness, makes for easy storage
The BH G400 comes with a standard 1 year warranty, should anything fail.
While the performance of the BH Fitness G400 is amongst the best inversion tables available, there were some disappointments.
While it looks stylish, the amount of time needed to assemble this therapy table is 90 minutes, much of which taken up with trying to understand the inaccurate instructions.
The instructions are still further hampered by the fact that they are only available in Italian.
While the ankle lock is simple, after a short while in inversion, the padded bars start to cause pinching and discomfort in ankles and also the feet.
The angle of inversion is limited by just one kevlar safety strap attached to just one leg strut of the table.
It was a disappointment not to find any sort of head rest on the G400.
There was a complete lack of any kind of lumbar pad, thus not giving any inbuilt support to the lower back during the inversion therapy session.
While the BH Fitness G400 is one of the most popular inversion tables available , and despite it being a solid performer it doesn't come away from this assessment as being the best value for money.
From the US based company Fitness Reality comes the 790XLT inversion table.
Coming from the same corporate stable as the Exerpeutic 975SL, the Fitness Reality 790XLT has a couple of features in common with its cousin, as well as a a good reputation in the inversion therapy industry.
The main frame of this inversion table is of high quality steel with tidily brazed joints and well trimmed to show off the light grey powder coated finish.
With every one of the tables in this review there's an assembly part. While it takes a bit of time to put together, all the components are all clearly labelled and the instructions are very clear.
The 790XLT table has a weight capacity of up to 300 lbs (136 kg) and a height range from 4' 10" (1.47m) to 6' 6" (1.98m) making it unisex and ensuring it caters for very nearly everyone who wants to use an inversion table.
The Fitness Reality 790XLT has a 1 inch (2.54 cms) foam back rest for comfort. Coming complete with an adjustable as well as totally removable lumbar cushion, to give comfort and support so as to relieve lower back pain whilst using inversion therapy.
The 790XLT, like the vast majority of therapy tables controls the maximum angle of inversion by using a kevlar strap which is attached to the main frame of the table itself.
The other way to manage the angle of inversion is by holding the 2 soft foam wrapped handle bars that run down the sides of the uprights of the 790XLT, ideal for safely returning to an upright position.
The ankle lock is a ratchet system of foam filled clamps which holds ankles comfortably and firmly in place, avoiding any pinching or discomfort in the feet and ankles so often experienced when undergoing inversion therapy using other tables.
The maximum angle of inversion is 180 degrees from the vertical. Fitness Reality has wisely recommended that this sort of angle of inversion should be achieved gradually over time.
The Fitness Reality 790XLT also comes UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified ( file No. E238026) guaranteeing the materials and construction quality of this inversion table.
For inversion therapy to be safe as possible, the table has to be extremely stable and the chance of movement while in use has to be minimised. The 790XLT managed to do just that by large "anti-slip" rubber floor pads being fitted at each corner.
The 790XLT despite its sturdy appearance weighs in at just 26 kg, and id completely foldable making it easy to store away when it's not in use.
The Fitness Reality 790XLT comes with a standard 1 year warranty for peace of mind.
The 790XLT is a sturdy and well built piece of equipment, which does much to alleviate back and neck pain, but there were a couple of little niggles that took the shine off its sparkle.
While some may disagree, just 1" of foam for comfort on the backrest is possibly a little mean.
There is very little in the way of braking apart from the kevlar strap limiting the maximum angle of inversion, and the users hands on the side handles of the 790XLT.
Another common disappointment is the lack of a head rest being fitted.
As far as inversion tables are concerned, the Fitness Reality 790XLT is a high quality product and has high regard in the world of inversion therapy. It isa good solid performer.
66fit is a british company that specialises in physiotherapy, rehabilitation and home fitness products.
The company has put great stress on the fact that their particular inversion table has been designed by professional physiotherapists.
With extremely clean lines the "professional" inversion table seems to put functionality above bright colours and novelty design.
It is a plain black, "A" frame device that takes very little time to assemble, 66fit even supply the tools. The assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow.
The "Professional" inversion table has been designed for very nearly anyone who who feels they need to undergo inversion therapy in ther quest to relieve neck pain or lower back pain.
The "Professional" table has a maximum weight capacity of 136 kg (300 lbs) and its easy to use height adjustment is scaled from 4' 9" (1.45m) to 6' 6" (1.98m).
This 66fit inversion table uses a kevlar angle of inversion control strap which has been calibrated to ensure that the correct angles are set. Once the angle has been set the user can then gently invert, controlling the movement manually, with the 2 foam wrapped on either side of the "Professional" inversion table.
The "Professional" table is a lightly foam filled backrest without any lumbar pad to give support to the lower back, nor any form of adjustable headrest. However, its pivot points are extremely smooth and the actual table itself is very well balanced.
To keep ankles firmly in place while inverting, the "Professional" uses a ratchet and well padded clamping system. Each ankle is held comfortabley and firmly in place with an extremely well padded restraining bar.
The padded ankle lock provides restraint so the inversion therapy session is as safe as possible, without causing pinching or discomfort to either ankle or feet.
66fit are one of the very few companies that have taken inversion therapy seriously. Not only have they designed and produced an inversiontherapy table, but have also produced a complete inversion therapy course that is available to all 66fit "Professional" therapy table owners.
Unlike many so called " courses", the 66fit inversion therapy course, goes into detail about the benefits of inversion, some obvious, some not quite so obvious and some that are at best doubtful.
In short though 66fit have also laid out a 25 step plan that outlines how best to use an inversion table and how things like heat and massage used in conjunction with the therapy can further relieve back and lower back pain.
While not a direct physical feature of the 66fit "Professional" inversion table, the fact that the company has produced on how to get the best back and neck pain relief results through using inversion is probably the best feature of the 66fit "Professional table.
The 66fit "Professional" inversion table is extremely stable and to avoid any type of movement during the session 4 "anti-slip" rubber floor pads are fitted to the "A frame".
Weighing only 26 kg (57 lbs) the "Professional therapy table is comparatively easy to move about single handedly; coupled that this table is fully foldable it means that it to get out or putting it away is not one of those things that stops its use.
While the "Professional" is foldable it's not entirely flat enough to store under the bed, but can be put in the corner of a room.
The 66fit "Professional" comes with a 1 year warranty for that extra peace of mind.
The 66fit "Professional" package is one of the best inversion tables available. However, as is always the case there are some drawbacks to this product, although not serious, they do affect its overall performance.
One of the most off putting little niggles was not so much the "Professional" therapy table itself, but the website where the 66fit inversion therapy course can be downloaded. The site has little regard for the "Ordinary Joe" who just wants to relieve the pain in his back.
There is a sense of personal as well as health inadequacy when downloading the course!
Although touched on earlier, the absence of any form of lumbar support came as a shock and disappointment considering that the 66fit "Professional" inversion table had been designed by physiotherapists.
While it is properly calibrated, it is just a still a kevlar strap that is the angle of inversion management tool of choice.
The back rest was basically under padded, and after a very short time on the table it became uncomfortable.
The 66fit "Professional" inversion table is a well designed product, with a very well designed back pain relief therapy programme being its best outstanding feature.
It is certainly a very popular therapy table amongst consumers, and ranks among the best inversion tables available.
The Bigzzia certainly cannot be missed! As far as inversion tables go, it's big, brash and certainly no shrinking violet.
With its outsize chunky "A frame" and vibrant blue trim this inversion table certainly looks the part of a real contender.
The maximum weight capacity for the "Bigzzia is 136 kg (300 lbs), while anyone from 4' 3" (1.29m) to 6' 6" (1.98m) can be accommodated on this therapy table making truly unisex.
Assembly of the "Bigzzia" takes about an hour or so and the instructions are accurate and also in English. The tools needed for assembly are included.
The "Bigzzia" inversion table has an integrated "A" frame which houses the pivots for the backrest but also the intriguing angle setting mechanism, which iunusually does not just rely on a kevlar strap and arm strength.
While there are very large soft foam handlebars on either side of the "A" frame ideal for inversion and also to get upright again . These handles will act as confidence boosters while becoming used to the therapy.
One of the best features of the "Bigzzia" inversion table is the construct of the backrest. The backrest is made up of three layers, one being memory foam. The "Bigzzia"'s backrest is without a doubt the most of all of those in this particular review.
As well as a very comfortable backrest, there is a fully adjustable headrest and lumbar pad giving support to the lower back during the therapy session.
The"Bigzzia" inversion table is also equipped with shoulder pads to give confidence to new comers to the therapy, but many seasoned users claimed that the shoulder rests just hinder their inversion session and have removed them altogether.
Ankles and feet are comfortable locked in place with a lever operated ankle locking system. The mechanism is extremely well padded and will not cause any pinching or discomfort in the ankles or feet.
To give complete stability the "Bigzzia" had what could only be described as oversized "anti-slip" rubber floor pads fitted to the base.
Despite its chunky appearance the "Bigzzia" therapy table folds flat enough to be stored away as well as be transported without being partially dismantled.
This manoeuvrability can all be truly done single handedly as the "Bigzzia" therapy table weighs in at a very surprising 23 kg ( 50.7 lbs), making it the lightest of all the inversion tables in this review.
The "Bigzzia" inversion table comes with a 1 year warranty, just in case of defects.
The very big surprise about this inversion table is that it is by far the cheapest in this assessment.
While the "Bigzzia" has so much going for it, it has one very serious drawback.
This great inversion table has only three inversion settings. This seriously limits its userbility and somewhat undermines the whole point of this product.
While very severely let down by its three inversion angle settings, this must be one of the best value for money inversion tables on the market.
The Gorilla inversion table like all the other candidates in this review needs to be assembled before it can be used.
Assembly takes about an hour and in some places, the process became fiddly and annoying..
On first appearances, the "Gorilla" seems to be not very robust, and unfortunately this turned out to be the case.
While the instructions claimed that the maximum weight capacity was 150 kg (330 lbs), it was infact 120 kg (264 lbs), as stated on a sticker on the main "A" frame.
The inversion table 's height calibration was of no help as it was found to be out by 7cm; so for a 1.75m user , the setting would have to 1.82m. If not done like this the backrest would be too short.
Although the padding on the backrest itself was adequate, the lack of both an adjustable headrest and a lumbar cushion would make any sort of back pain relief almost minimal.
As per most therapy tables on the market the "Gorila's" inversion angle is limited by a kevlar strap, attached to a cross strut on the "A" frame.
The inversion process is manual. Using the 2 unpadded handles on either side. These handles are used to get upright.
It was found that the handles would work loose regardless of how tight they were when assembled and even when they were retightened.
The ankle locks were found to be not very well padded and also very rudimentary in their design. With the locks being two bars and no proper clamping or ratchet system.
With such little padding, and so much pressure / body weight being put on the top part ( the dorsum) of the feet, it meant that in almost no time at all pain and discomfort was felt not only in the ankles but also most acutely in the feet.
The "Gorilla" inversion table carries a 1 year warranty.
Like many inversion tables, the "Gorilla" therapy table is fully foldable and easily stored away.
Inversion therapy and its safety depends on the quality of the inversion tables available. The "Gorilla" therapy table is one of many such inversion tables best avoided.
While certainly not the most expensive of all the therapy tables under test. The "Gorilla" was by far the weakest candidate.
Inversion tables are becoming more and more popular as back pain becomes more and mote common, due primarily to a sedentary lifestyle and very little exercise in the most part.
Should people use an inversion table to reduce back pain? Yes they should, but only as part of a treatment regime along with heat and massage. Inversion must be seen as a help and not a cure.
So a good inversion table is really quite important if painful conditions like lumbago and sciatica are to be managed.
With its palm activated "Surelock" system and "iControl disk brake" technology that allows for infinite inversion settings, including the "magic" 60 degrees, the best inversion table is the Exerpeutic 975SL
It is recommended that some people should not use an inversion table, as its use could be harmful instead of a help. Those who suffer from, or have suffered from in the past of the following:
are advised that inversion therapy is not recommended.
Pregnant women are also strongly advised that inversion therapy is not suitable as it might adversely affect the health of their unborn child.
If there is any doubt whatsoever, medical advice should sought from a qualified physician first, before any such activity is undertaken.
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