If you have trouble with back pain, herniated discs, posture or achy hips, then you’ve probably read a thing or two about inversion therapy and the benefits it brings. You’ve probably also noticed the huge range of inversion therapy tables available. If you’re like me, then you’re a little overwhelmed by all that there is to choose from. So where should we start?
When looking for a table, I know I want something sturdy that will secure me safely while I hang. I’m also going to take a look at comfort and I’m going to make sure my table is appropriate for my height and weight. Whether you’re new to inversion therapy or just looking for the convenience of spinal decompression at home, you’ll probably want to find a useful inversion table without spending hundreds of dollars. I’m going to take a look at the Exerpeutic Inversion Table with Comfort Foam Backrest – its price sits nicely at the low end of my budget, and the ‘comfort foam’ has an appealing ring to it.
Is it strong enough to hold me?
I don’t want to pay a fortune, but I don’t want to lose out on quality – I’m not interested in collapsing to the floor during inversion therapy. If you’re a big and tall individual, you want to be sure you’re properly supported before you can relax with your feet above your head. So how sturdy is the Exerpeutic Inversion Table?
This inversion table is one of the only models in its price range that features a frame built from 1.5 inch square steel – thicker than most round metal tube frames. Stability is definitely the focus of this design. The Exerpeutic Inversion Table supports up to 300 lbs and heights from 4’10” to 6’6”. The frame is strong and even tall users feel comfortable inverting with no wobble. Sounds great to me!
Comfort
So we’ve established the peace of mind that the Exerpeutic Inversion Table is sturdy enough to hold us, so let’s get into more details. How’s it going to feel once I’m on it? The point of inversion therapy is pain relief and relaxation, so a comfortable backrest is important to me. A great feature of this table is the soft foam padded backrest, which gives more cushion than other models that only use stretched nylon. The vinyl-covered pad is about .75 inches thick.
The Exerpeutic Inversion Table secures the ankles with foam rollers and cushions, which can easily be adjusted from a convenient pull-pin release system – I don’t even really have to bend or get up from the table to adjust them! In the most slanted inversion angles, there is some pressure on the feet and ankles which may require you to limit your inversion to shorter time intervals. You might find it necessary to add a towel, wear shoes or modify the ankle cushions to alleviate this discomfort. That being said, ankle discomfort is common in most inversion therapy tables, since you’re essentially hanging your body weight from your feet. Therefore, the ankle supports on the Exerpeutic Inversion Table are not bad, but nothing spectacular either.
I want to know I’m safe
I’m confident the frame is structurally sound, but I’m still very aware that I’m strapping myself to a swinging table. But the Exerpeutic Inversion Table is not a wild carnival ride, and there are important safety features in place to keep me in control while I invert. The padded, extra-long U-shaped handles mean I can grab on and right myself at anytime. Good to know you won’t be stuck hanging upside-down waiting for someone to come home to help you!
The tether safety strap can be adjusted so the table never inverts further than you’re comfortable with. Some users near the top of the weight capacity were concerned that the safety strap was not thick or durable enough to completely rely on. This doesn’t affect the functionality of the table, but it might be a little disconcerting for those who want every precaution in place. If this is something you don’t want to worry about, you may want to create your own safety strap by attaching a thicker tether yourself.
Design
The Exerpeutic Inversion Table is relatively easy to assemble, though you will most likely need to use some of your own tools. The steel frame features a powder coat finish for a polished look that’s scratch resistant.
Because the Exerpeutic Inversion Table is a standard, no-bells-and-whistles model, it takes up a bit less space than some other designs. Still, the 55 lbs contraption is not easily moved or portable, and it doesn’t fold up without being disassembled. You’ll need enough space in your home to accommodate the 46” x 27” x 57” device, with enough space to comfortably invert into your desired angles without feeling claustrophobic.
Be sure to adjust the table to your correct height setting, and you should find that tilting to your inversion angles is smooth and comfortable. Just lift your arm above your head to slowly tilt back, and then grab onto the long safety arms to right yourself.
The Good and The Bad
All-in-all, the Exerpeutic Inversion Table with Comfort Foam Backrest is a quality inversion table considering its price point. You get everything you need for easy and efficient inversion therapy without paying even half as much as bigger brands. It has no flashy features, but for a convenient way to invert at home and relieve the pull of gravity on your spine, the Exerpeutic Inversion Table does the job.
The Pros:
- Sturdy and stable frame
- Padded backrest
- Easy-to-adjust ankle supports and release
- Smooth and stable tilting
- Affordable price
The Cons:
- Doesn’t fold for storage
- May require shoes / towel / additional cushion on ankles
- You may want to attach a stronger safety tether strap
If you want to get started on home inversion therapy without a large initial investment, The Exerpeutic Inversion Table with Comfort Foam Backrest is a reliable piece of equipment that fulfills all the basic functions of name brand tables, for a much lower price.
