Updated on July 10th, 2023 at 05:11 pm

An inversion table is a therapeutic form of spinal traction that works by hanging a person upside down from their ankles. While it may sound a little strange, this method has been proven to give effective results. It also has huge health benefits for ailments such as neck pain, back pain, sciatica pain, and many more medical issues that you may not get with the best heavy duty mattress

Unfortunately, many of us are heavier than the recommended weight capacity. Being on the larger side, it sucks to know that most of these devices are designed only to hold a certain amount of weight.

Below are the inversion therapy tables we tried to end my chronic back pain and my review of each. We’ll give you our favorite first!

Best heavy-duty inversion tables

Innova ITM5900 Advanced Heat and Massage Inversion Table

image of innova health and fitness itm5900 - Extra Large Living
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The Innova ITM5900 is an advanced heat and massage therapeutic table that comes with several additional features, including comfortable ankle holders, heating functions, and massaging pads for additional comfort and decompression. 

The price is more than justifiable when you take all the key features into consideration. If you ask me, this is the best inversion table for heavy people.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Includes heat and massage options
  • Up to 300 lbs weight capacity

Cons

  • It was a little difficult to assemble alone
  • Returns are not easy

HARISON Heavy Duty Inversion Table for Back Pain Relief 350 LBS Capacity

image of harison inversion table for back pain relief 350 lbs capacity with 3d memory foam - Extra Large Living
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The back inversion chair from Harison has an excellent weight capacity of 350 lbs. It offers a full 180-degree inversion and works wonders for anyone with existing back pain.

While it may fall on the pricier side of this list, we can assure you that this heavy-duty adjustable inversion table is worth its weight. The padded backrest is stuffed with memory foam, allowing you to remain comfortable and secure. There are so many reasons we chose this Harison inversion table for this list, and we recommend checking out its features yourself!

Pros

  • Comfortable, ergonomic design
  • Made from a strong, heavy-duty steel frame
  • Extra weight capacity up to 350 lbs

Cons

  • A little expensive

Teclor inversion table for back pain

image of teclor inversion table for back pain relief - Extra Large Living
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If you’re looking for a small, space-saving design that is capable of securely holding up to 350 lbs in weight, and individuals up to 6’8 tall, look no further than the Inversion Table for Back Pain Relief by the Teclor Store. With 6 angles of inversion, 15 adjustable heights, and double ankle support with high-density foam ankle rollers, this inversion table is not only truly effective but also so comfortable to use.

This table is easily foldable and portable due to the heavy-duty frame being able to collapse with little to no effort. Unfortunately, it may be a little difficult to assemble alone, so you may want to ask a friend to help you put this table together. Once it has been fully assembled, you will wonder how you ever coped without this product.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced.
  • Up to 350 lbs weight capacity.
  • Easily foldable and portable.
  • Easy to adjust.

Cons

  • Difficult to assemble alone; two or more people may be acquired to build the product.
  • Not as sturdy as others on this list.

Health Gear Heat Massage Inversion Table

image of health gear massage inversion table - Extra Large Living
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Imagine having an inversion table that comes with advanced heat and massage therapy features that’ll help you relax while you stretch out. Well, with the Vibro Massage Inversion Table from Health Gear, you won’t need to dream any longer! With a vibrating massaging pad on the table, which is controlled by an easily accessible remote, this table comes with both comfort and accessibility.

The maximum capacity of this table is 300 lbs, and it is made with a memory foam backrest to keep you nice and cozy while you stretch out. Additionally, the high-density foam leg rollers prevent your legs from getting pinched when you get off the table. This advanced heat and massage therapeutic inversion table is reasonably priced, too, so you won’t have to worry about breaking your budget.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Additional features include heat and massage functions
  • Up to 300lbs weight capacity
  • Easy to clean, thanks to the removable components

Cons

  • If you weigh close to the maximum, the weight capacity can suffer

Teeter FitSpine Inversion Table

image of teeter fitspine inversion table - Extra Large Living
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Last but not least, we have the FitSpine Inversion Table from the Teeter Store; a good quality yet easy-to-use inversion table that has all the functions that you could ever ask for. It is secure, comfortable, and high capacity, with a max weight capacity of 300 lbs in weight and 6’6 in height.

This inversion table is FDA registered, so you can rest assured knowing that this is one of the safest products you can use, and it comes with a 5-year warranty.

The 8-point suspension system allows you to move easily, whether you are strapping yourself on or jumping back off. The rotation functions are effortless to use, and it comes with comfortable ankle cups that’ll ensure your legs aren’t being pinched as you stretch out.

Unfortunately, this product is a little pricey, so you may want to avoid it if it exceeds your budget. However, if you’ve got the cash to spare, we definitely recommend Teeter’s FitSpine Inversion Table.

Pros

  • Capable of holding up to 300 lbs in weight and 6’6 in height.
  • Easy-to-reach ankle holders.
  • Built-in grips.
  • 5-year warranty.

Cons

  • Pretty expensive.

And the best heavy-duty inversion table is:

INNOVA HEALTH AND FITNESS ITM5900 image

Innova ITM5900 Advanced Heat and Massage Inversion Table

Although every inversion table on the list has its fair share of pros and cons, the Innova ITM5900 Advanced Heat and Massage Inversion Table stands out the most. It has heat and massage options, is affordable, and has a 300 lbs weight limit. The massage pad has a contour-integrated lumbar pad for added comfort. The ergonomic ankle-holding system has a rear and front U-shaped holder that deliver a relaxed and secure inversion.

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Inversion table buyer’s guide

Now that you have had the chance to check out our top picks, you can decide whether to purchase one of our options or try to find one of your own. If you decide to go with the latter, you will need to know what features and functions to look out for when buying the ideal inversion table for you.

How much weight can an inversion table hold?

Every inversion table will have a different weight limit. The standard maximum weight capacity is around 300 lbs capacity, although it is possible to find ones that can hold up to 600 lbs, although this can be a little more difficult.

If you weigh more than 300 lbs and you’ve purchased an inversion table that only holds that weight at a maximum, do not attempt to try it out. These weight limits are stated for a reason and ignoring them may result in injury. Always be sure to check out a product’s weight limit before proceeding to purchase.

Who cannot use inversion tables?

While inversion tables can be extremely handy tools, being able to help individuals with specific medical conditions, there are certain people who should avoid using them at all costs (or, at least, unless they have been given medical advice that states otherwise). People who should avoid using these products are those who suffer with:

  • Hypertension
  • Circulation disorders
  • Heart disease, and other heart conditions
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal detachments

There are many other conditions that are not compatible with using an inversion table, so be sure to do your research and check out whether you can safely use one or not.

Can overweight people use an inversion table?

Your ability to use an inversion table will all depend on the maximum weight capacity of the specific table that you have purchased. If your inversion table has a 300 lbs capacity, and you exceed that weight limit, then you should not use it. However, if you purchased one with a 600 lbs capacity, you will be fine to do so, if you weigh 600 lbs or less.

It is important to take into consideration that, even if your weight corresponds with the capacity of the table, it is generally not recommended for individuals to use these products if they are obese, overweight, or pregnant. This is because there are health risks that are associated with using inversion tables, which makes them dangerous if you suffer certain medical conditions that are associated with people in these categories, e.g., weakened vascular systems.

Therefore, we recommend that you speak to a doctor, or a medical specialist if you are overweight or obese and would like to use one of these products.

Why is considering weight or size limitations important?

All products of this nature will come with a weight and size limitation, due to health and safety reasons. If you are too heavy for an inversion table, the safety straps may not fit you correctly, and this could lead to injury. Since you would be upside down while using this contraption, you are highly likely to receive head and neck injuries if you were to fall headfirst from one of these products.

Additionally, if you are too tall for the product, you would not fit horizontally on the table. This, again, may result in you becoming injured. So, if an inversion table has a max height recommendation, you should take it very seriously, as you don’t want to risk bumping your head, or worse.

Does an inversion table come with any add on’s?

There are so many kinds of inversion tables on the market today, and several of them come with additional features to make your experience more comfortable. Popular features include massaging and heating properties, which will massage you during the process, as well as heat up your back. This can make for a very comforting experience.

Inversion therapy is known to reduce muscle tension and muscle spasms in the spine, applying slight pressure to the nerves. So, when combined with applied heat, or a massaging feature, this can soothe your back even further. However, if you buy a simple, cheaper product, it is unlikely that it will come with any additional features. This is why it is important that you check out the details before making any purchases.

Inversion table FAQs

In this section, we are going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions so that you can better understand these products and answer some questions you have asked yourself. So, without further ado, let us dive right in.

What works better than an inversion table?

If an individual has a medical condition relating to their neck rather than their back, they may find that other products and methods may have more of an effect, such as incline benches or spinal decompression therapy.

You may want to do some research on your own medical conditions and get some advice from your doctor before committing to any product that you believe would be beneficial for your back or neck.

Can inversion tables make your back worse?

If you do not do your research beforehand, and you end up trying out one of these products while you already suffer from a serious back condition, you could potentially make that problem much worse. If you apply too much pressure on your joints too quickly, it could cause your spine to spasm, and this will only intensify your pre-existing back pain and discomfort, e.g., a herniated disk.

How many times a week should you use an inversion table?

According to most inversion table guidelines, it is recommended that an individual only uses the products two or less time a day, for a maximum of five minutes per inversion. You should be very careful if you exceed this time, being very slow as you return to an upright position, as moving too quickly could result in back spasms, which will leave you in a great deal of pain.

Can an inversion table fix a bulging disc?

If you have a bulging or herniated disk, then you may be wondering if you need surgery to fix the issue. You’ll be pleased to know that, actually, using an inversion table can help fix this condition, by causing the spine to decompress the vertebrae, widening the space between them. This, alone, should give you some relief in the long run. However, we seriously recommend that you double-check this with your doctor before testing it out.

Can an inversion table be harmful?

Inversion tables are one of the handiest inventions for those who suffer from back pain and want to decrease their discomfort within their own homes. Unfortunately, however, these products can bring along some unwanted side effects if you overuse them, or you use them without consulting with your doctor beforehand. Some of these side effects include:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Headaches.
  • Increased blood pressure.

If you suffer from hypertension, or you have a history of medical issues with your eyes, don’t forget to speak to physical therapists before using one of these products. They will be able to advise you on whether you should use this kind of therapy, as well as let you know what other options are available in its place.

Final thoughts

We hope you liked our chosen products as much as we did. If you didn’t, we recommend that you keep our buyer’s guide saved somewhere so that you can go back and refer to it when you’re searching for your own products. The most important things to remember are to look out for height and weight restrictions, as well as being aware of your own medical issues, and whether it would be safe to use one of these products.

As long as you stick with our Buyer’s Guide, you should be able to find an inversion table that is perfect for you and your specific needs. If you are under 300 lbs, this will be significantly easier for you, but if you weigh over, you will be able to find products with a 600 lbs capacity somewhere on the internet; it just may take a little more time to find them.

Check out other heavy-duty product reviews that’d be good for your back:

Adjustable Bed for Heavy People

Yoga mat for plus size people

Recumbent bicycle with 500 lb capacity

Back brace for overweight people