Want to be able to take a load off your aching back and hips after a long day? Ready to skip trips to the chiropractor and practice your inversion therapy right at home? Consistent inversion therapy every day increases results – so let’s get shopping for inversion tables! It’s time to invest in a healthy, pain-free back.
Now you may have noticed that these things run-up to nearly $1,000. If you’re like me, and not quite ready to invest that much, you might want to join me in taking a look at the Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table. It’s not the lowest price point for an inversion table, but certainly not the most expensive. Let’s see what sort of benefits we get if we choose to buy this mid-range model.
Comfort
From my own inversion table experience, I’ve noticed that the first thing low-end equipment sacrifices is comfort. But I want to really enjoy my inversion therapy. I want to feel good while I’m helping my back feel good, so comfort is an important factor for me with my inversion table choice. Let’s check out the Ironman Gravity 4000 and what it has to offer my sensitive back.
I’m immediately drawn in by the memory foam backrest – the 2.5” cushion covered in waterproof vinyl is much more comfortable than other models with just a stretched nylon back. And as a bonus, there’s a removable foam lumbar pillow that supports your lower back and helps you really stretch out your spin while inverting.
The ankle supports are ergonomically designed and they’re made of compressed foam. The supports feature a ratchet system that clamps your ankles in place and is easy to reach while still sitting against the table. Less bending and fiddling around the ankles are helpful when my back is sore. Like with most inversion tables, there is a lot of pressure on your ankles and feet when hanging – you may still need to wear thick socks or shoes to prevent discomfort.
Is It Strong Enough to Hold Me Safely?
One thing you don’t have to worry about with the Ironman Gravity 4000 is stability. The wide-set frame made from tubular steel is very strong and it’s easily sturdy enough to accommodate anyone up to 300 lbs and as tall as 6’6”. The ankle cuffs keep you securely strapped in, and the heavy-duty rubber feet prevent the frame from slipping around on you. Nylon covers on the sides of the backrest prevent you from pinching your fingers while tilting, and padded U-shaped safety bars are easy to grab when you’re ready to right yourself. The frame is even coated in scratch-resistant powder.
The only part of the Ironman Gravity 4000 that you might want to watch out for is the adjustable tether that is meant to keep the table from inverting further than the desired position. Some users who are closer to the 300 lb weight capacity noticed that the clip on this strap broke after time. While this won’t affect the structure of the table, it could cause you to rock back further than you expect if it breaks while you’re on it. This could give you quite a startling dip if you’re not expecting it. You can fashion your own tether from a thicker strap on your own if you don’t want to worry about this happening.
How Big is This Thing?
Keep in mind that the Ironman Gravity 4000 has a heavy-duty frame, which is great for sturdiness but does mean the table takes up more space than some other models. Fully assembled, this inversion table measures 49″ x 26″ x 65″ and folds to 80″ x 26″ x 17″. Weighing 75 lbs, the Ironman Gravity 4000 is still a bulky, heavy item even when folded. The easiest way to ‘store’ this inversion table when you want to make more space is to just fold it and lean it against a wall. Otherwise, you’ll probably need two people to move it.
Tell Me More About the Ankle Locking System
A unique feature of the Ironman Gravity 4000 is the ankle support design. Where many other models use pull pins, this inversion table incorporates a palm-activated ratchet system. What does that even mean? Well, when you slide your ankles between the two ergonomically shaped foam pads, you can sit back on the table and reach for the long lever without too much bending. Pulling back on the lever, which kind of looks like a car stick shift, will ratchet the supports in place to securely tighten around your ankles. When you’re done, you release your ankles by pressing a button.
This patented ankle locking design is a handy design that means you don’t have to bend as far to adjust your ankles. However, over time many users noticed the release button would get sticky or sometimes stop working. The customer service representatives at Paradigm Health and Wellness send out replacement parts, should this happen.
What’s Unique About The Ironman Gravity 4000?
So what are the features that make the Ironman Gravity 4000 stand out from other inversion tables that come at a lower price?
Ironman Gravity 4000 Pros:
- Extra comfortable backrest made from 2.5” memory foam, plus lumbar pillow
- An extra sturdy, heavy duty frame with stabilizing rubber feet
- It’s able to accommodate individuals up to 300lbs
- The tilt is smooth and stable
- The ankle adjustment is simple and requires no tools
Ironman Gravity 4000 Cons:
- While foldable, this inversion table is still bulky and hard to move, since it weighs 75 lbs
- The adjustable safety strap may need replacing after frequent use
- Users might feel ankle discomfort, but no more than with other comparable inversion tables; wear shoes
Overall, this table features a quality frame, smooth and simple functionality, and a comfortable backrest, while remaining more affordable than name-brand, top-of-the-line models. The Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table provides all the features you need to practice your inversion therapy, and even makes an effort to add comfort.
