Our inversion chair reviews will show you which chairs are worth your time and money. We’ll share what to know about each one, why we picked these three as our top choices, how to find a product that’s right for you at an affordable price point–and more!
Stamina Inline
BEST VALUE AND MOST EFFECTIVE
Health Mark IV18600 Pro
PERFECT for PEOPLE with ANKLE or KNEE PROBLEMS
Amazon.com
There is no universal consensus over which type of chair is best overall, and there is no “perfect” inversion chair. Still, these three inversion chairs are among the most effective at relieving back pain.
Before we go into the detailed reviews, we will tell you the difference between an inversion table and an inversion chair to help you decide what equipment is right for you. Additionally, we will list down the criteria of what to look for in an inversion chair.
Inversion Chair vs Table
Joint, back, neck, and hip pain are uncomfortable, but they can affect mobility, mood, and even work productivity. If you’re suffering from back and neck pain, issues with sciatica, or pinched nerves, there’s a good chance you’re still looking for effective pain relief.
The main difference between an inversion chair and a table is how you position yourself on the exercise equipment. You will be sitting on an inversion chair in an upside-down position while lying down on an inversion table.
Best Inversion Tables
- Innova ITX9600 Inversion Table – Best Value for the Money
- IRONMAN Gravity Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table – Perfect for Tall or Big People
An upside-down chair is often more comfortable, especially for individuals with limited mobility and joint pain.
Many people feel a little more “in control” and safer in an inverted chair rather than a table. In addition, inversion chairs are typically easier to maneuver on your own, so you don’t need someone’s help. In general, inversion chairs are more versatile and suitable for various users than an inversion table.
Things To Look For: What Makes A Good Inversion Chair?
In general, most inversion chairs look pretty much the same, so you may be hard-pressed to notice any significant differences in one brand from the next. We only reviewed inversion chairs that are highly competent and trusted by people, but here are some things you should look for in an inversion chair.
Sturdiness, Durability & Safety
A good inversion chair is well-made. There’s no need to worry about it not holding up when you sit on it. Keep in mind that they take a little getting used to if it’s your first time, but you should feel balanced and safe (the inverted chair should not wobble).
High-quality chairs like inversion tables have a heavy-duty steel frame and skid-resistant rubber floor protectors that keep the chair from sliding around. In comparison, a good inversion chair has padded ankle holders to help you stay safely (and comfortably) in position. Finally, look for a chair with a lap belt if you want a little added security.
Remember to select a chair with the appropriate weight capacity for your needs for optimal safety.
Comfort
Whether you plan to use your inversion chair a few times a week or a few times a month, it needs to be comfortable. An uncomfortable chair will keep you from loosening up and relaxing. If you can’t stand to use the chair, you’re less likely to use it, and it ends up being a waste of money.
Adequate cushioning on the seat and backrest are essential for comfort. Still, it’s also necessary to look for an adjustable chair. If you use a chair that can’t be adjusted to fit your height, you are more likely to feel discomfort and not reap the benefits.
Remember, a good inversion chair should relieve pain, not cause more.
Ease of Use
The inversion chair you choose should be easy to use, especially when you are yourself. However, before you use one, read the manual and any other material included, and watching a few videos on using the chair can be helpful.
When trying out your chair for the first time, it’s a good idea to have someone else around if you encounter any issues or need some help getting in and out of your chair.
Don’t use the chair when you’re not feeling well, experiencing debilitating pain, or don’t feel confident to use the material on your own.
In addition to being easy to use, the setup should be quick and uncomplicated.
Price
As we mentioned earlier, be prepared to pay at least $200 for a good inversion chair. While most inversion tables cost less, you pay for quality and features in a chair that isn’t on a table.
While it’s possible to find an inversion chair that costs significantly more than $200, be cautious about purchasing one that’s less than $200. If the price seems a little too good to be true, it probably is and isn’t high-quality or safe.
If you want a healthier back and body overall, you need to be prepared to invest a little money into the best inversion chair.
Space Storage
Same with inversion tables, some chairs fold up, and others do not, so it’s essential to make sure you’ve got enough space for one (regardless of whether or not it folds up for storage).
If you plan on using the chair regularly, folding up the chair after each use is a bit inconvenient, especially if you have all the adjustments “just right.” If you don’t want to worry about the setup, make sure you have adequate space before purchasing a chair.
Having the inversion chair set up all the time is likely to get more use than one that’s stored away.
Flexibility
Studies show that inversion therapy is most beneficial at 60-degree angles or more. To get the most from your inversion chair, make sure that the chair is flexible and can move to an angle of at least 60 degrees.
While a good inversion chair should offer various angles, it should also be easy to adjust and start with small angles. Inversion therapy is safest and works best when you slowly increase your inversion angle; too much at once can be uncomfortable.
Add-Ons & Extra Features
A good inversion chair doesn’t need extra “bells and whistles.” Since it’s different from other fitness equipment types, you aren’t likely to find (or need) add-ons like water bottle holders or fitness monitors.
If you want to monitor your heart rate and other health stats while using inversion chairs, a wearable device is a great and comfortable option.
You should look for the “extras” and consider safety straps (such as lap belts) or padded arm/hand rests. In addition, some inversion chairs convert to an inversion table, so if you’re interested in that feature, read the inversion chair reviews carefully.
Capacity
As we mentioned earlier, weight capacity is an important feature to consider when shopping for an inversion chair. Even if you are on a weight loss journey, the best inversion chair should safely accommodate your current weight (not your weight goal).
Selecting an inversion chair with a larger weight capacity is also an excellent idea for households where more than one person might use the chair. The larger the weight capacity, the sturdier and more durable the inversion chair.
Warranty
When checking out inversion chair reviews, don’t forget to see if there’s a warranty. For more people, an inversion chair is a worthy financial investment. Still, even things can go wrong with the best inversion chair.
Whether you run into a mechanical error or don’t like how the chair works or feels after using it for a few months, you want to have the option to replace or return the chair. A good inversion chair should have a warranty of at least a year.
Read the warranty details before purchasing the chair and make sure you understand everything or that the warranty seems fair. You may have the option to buy an extended warranty for a small additional fee.
Assembly
Like most fitness equipment you purchase online or even in a store, you will probably have to assemble some parts of your inversion chair. If you have the option to have it constructed for you, it may be worth the extra cost, but if not, it shouldn’t be too difficult if you need to build it yourself.
Before you decide which inversion chair to purchase, see how much assembly is required. If there are tools included, and if the directions are clear, you can often download an instructional manual without purchasing the chair.
When you purchase a chair that needs assembling, always have the manual ready, count, and identify all the parts before putting the chair together. Of course, having someone help you is a good idea, too.
Support
Once your chair is all set up and ready to try out, don’t toss out the packaging or the manual as you never know if you will need to use them as a reference or if you need to return your chair.
Before you select your inversion chair, it’s always a good idea to make sure there’s 24/7 customer support available. Whether you have questions about assembling your chair, how to use the chair, or needs some troubleshooting advice, customer support is essential.
If you’re spending the money on a good inversion chair, you deserve to have adequate support whenever it’s most convenient for you.
Which Inversion Chair Should You Buy?
Some inversion chairs have features that are better suited for your personal needs. For example, it’s best to select an inversion chair that’s easy to use if you have limited mobility. In addition, for safety and comfort, it’s essential to pay attention to the chair’s weight capacity.
Other factors to consider before buying an inversion chair are storage (if you have enough space for one) and your budget. Once you start browsing for inversion chairs, you may notice that most inversion tables are at least $100 cheaper than most chairs.
Keep in mind that an inversion chair is a more comfortable and versatile piece of equipment, and that’s reflective when you look at the price tag. Although the prices may vary from one inversion chair to the next, you can expect to pay about $200 to $300 for a high-quality chair.
#1 Stamina Inline Inversion Chair
If you’ve researched some of the best inversion chairs, you’ll likely hear about the Stamina Inline Inversion Chair. It’s well known, widely praised, and seems fantastic at first glance – but how good is it? To save you money and lots of valuable time, we went out and tested this Stamina inversion chair to give you a low-down review of its pros, cons, quirks, and benefits.
From the tidy packaging to the finished chair once it’s all set up – in all honesty, you’ve got a whole lot of gorgeous on your hands. And it’s worth noting that this Stamina chair is very durable, even though it might not look the part at first glance.
It is made with a heavy-duty steel frame – which is essentially another way of saying, “It’ll last for decades!” And when it comes to comfort, it doesn’t give any room for doubt either. You get a well-padded backrest and headrest to make sure you’re getting the most out of your exercise.
Effectiveness is where the Stamina Inline Inversion Chair shines and stands a cut above other popular models. Although it’s not a true 180-degree inversion chair, it’s engineered with precision to give you the maximum decompression as you recline and stretch. And let’s say their engineering efforts paid off!
What We Like
The Looks – frame comes coated in a beautiful matte gray. The padding and cushions meant for your back and head are done up in a lovely deep blue, which fits in well with practically any interior without taking any aesthetics away from it.
The Comfort – Its backrest and headrest pad are thick. So much so that if you weren’t dangling upside-down, you might even doze off on accident.
Easy Assembly – despite the instructions being somewhat muddled, the chair is a breeze to put together, which should only take you an hour at most.
Incredibly Effective – you get maximum decompression with this chair, which helps you get your blood flow going and relieve back pain with just a quick stretch.
Super Portable – it’s very lightweight at only 52lb, so it’s easy to move it around and even put it in another room for storage.
What We Don’t Like
No Foldability – this inversion chair doesn’t fold up for secure storage. So, if you plan to fold and stow it away, you’ll need a plan B.
Not Geared For Tall Folks – if you’ve over 6″1, you might have a little trouble comfortably fitting into this inversion chair.
#2 Health Mark IV18600 Pro Inversion Therapy Chair
The Health Mark Pro Inversion Therapy Chair is not only suitable for inversion therapy. But due to the chair’s design, we selected it as the best for people with ankle or knee problems as it remains seated and doesn’t extend to the burden ankle or knee. In addition, with multiple adjustments up to 70 degrees, users of this chair can easily and comfortably adjust to using an inversion chair.
A padded rolled leg lock system and adjustable backrest make the chair ideal for performing core strengthening exercises such as inverted crunches and reverse v-ups. Even if you’re not looking for an inversion chair to help you meet fitness goals, it’s an excellent option for any fitness goals in the future.
Since this chair stays in a seated position while inverting at any angle, it’s a comfortable and secure option for first-time users and people with limited mobility.
What We Like
In addition to being a great option when working out, here are some other things we like about the Health Mark Pro Inversion Therapy Chair:
What We Don’t Like
#3 Stamina Seated Inversion Chair
The Stamina Seated Inversion Chair is one of our favorites because not only does it feature all the best qualities of an inversion chair. But users also have the option to use it as an inversion table.
Having multiple adjustment options makes it a versatile piece of fitness equipment for individuals, regardless of mobility. In addition, this chair has adequate padding on the seat and ankle support.
While the ergonomic and padded handlebars help you feel more in control as you get used to inverting at different angles.
What We Like
While the option to turn the inversion chair into an inversion table is a significant selling point for us.
Here are a few additional things we like about the Stamina Seated Inversion Chair:
What We Don’t Like
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Are Inversion Tables or Chairs Good for Your Back?
Inversion therapy is a relatively simple concept, but it’s hardly new. Many people give Hippocrates credit for coming up with the idea of inversion therapy way back in 460 B.C., and whether or not it’s true is debatable. Still, the treatment has been popular for quite a few decades.
Inversion therapy takes gravitation pressure off the discs and nerve roots in your spine. Reducing stress can increase the space between the vertebrae, which can alleviate hip pain and other issues. This therapy may also be referred to as “stretching the spine.”
For most individuals who do inversion therapy, multiple sessions must maintain pain relief rather than the treatment offering long-term relief.
Benefits of Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy may not be ideal for everyone, but there are many benefits. Here are some of the key benefits of inversion therapy you might experience with inversion chairs.
Less Back Pain – One of the main reasons individuals try out inversion chairs is to get rid of back pain. Back pain can be hard to treat because it can stem from many issues, from old injuries to poor spine health.
When people have back pain, they often start to posture differently (to alleviate pain), such as slouching. Unfortunately, poor posture can lead to an imbalance in the alignment, and then the pain can worsen rather than better.
An inversion chair can help to stretch and straighten the spine. Studies show that people who used inversion therapy for 3 minutes at a 60-degree inversion angle had a healthier spine, a more flexible torso, and less low back and hip pain.
Better Spine Health – If you have poor spine health, you’re not alone. Lifestyle, lousy posture, injuries due to overexertion, and other factors can affect your spine.
The spaces between your spinal discs can become smaller, and pressure can increase (leading to a collapsed vertebra and other issues) when your spine is unhealthy.
An inversion chair can help improve and even restore the space between the discs and reduce pressure. Although it may take more than a few sessions, your spine health can improve.
Increased Range of Flexibility – As your spine gets healthier and your back pain lessens, you also strengthen your spine. When all of these things are happening together, you may start to notice an increase in your flexibility, and your movements may become more fluid.
Eliminate The Need For Back Surgery – Some individuals have back issues that make them a candidate for back surgery, and sometimes inversion therapy can eliminate the likelihood of surgery. There is no guarantee with all benefits, but inversion tables or chairs may be a cheaper, safer, and more comfortable alternative.
Getting Taller – If you want to increase your height, an inversion chair won’t help you grow. Still, it can help decompress your spine and stretch your muscles, which can help you stand at your maximum natural height.
Improve Your Core – Many workout routines revolve around strengthening the core. An inversion chair can help strengthen your core and improve your flexibility overall (which can help you achieve new fitness goals).
The Risks of Using an Inversion Chair
Even though there are several benefits of using it, a few risks are worth mentioning. So it would be best to always talk to your doctor before using any equipment.
Due to the upside-down angle, which can increase the blood pressure and decrease the heart rate, inversion therapy may not be safe for you if you have:
– Bone or joint disorders such as fractures, injuries, and osteoporosis
– High blood pressure, stroke, or heart disease
– Infections or diseases like glaucoma, pink eye, or ear infections
Inversion chairs should be avoided if you are pregnant, obese, use blood clotting medications, or have (had) a detached retina.
As with any equipment or exercise, inversion chairs should be used for small periods in the beginning. Then, allow yourself to “work up” to more extended periods and never overdo it, as you can increase your risk of injury.
Do Inversion Chairs Work?
An inversion chair works when used correctly and at the right inversion angle. However, many people may be skeptical because it doesn’t always work immediately or eliminate discomfort.
It’s natural to wonder if inversion chairs work, and it’s smart to question something before incorporating it into your daily health routine.
Like all health and fitness equipment or products, inversion chairs have supporters and naysayers; it’s safe to say that we’re in favor and believe they do work.
As we mentioned earlier, inversion therapy has a long history. Even before inversion equipment was invented, it is a concept that is popular in yoga practices and other types of stretching.
An inversion chair aims to alleviate the pressure in the spine. Like other fitness equipment, an inversion chair is not designed to create “instant” results. However, with frequent use and flexibility and strength increases in the back, it can be an essential tool for a healthier back.
You might be wondering if an inversion chair is worth trying out. If you are an ideal candidate and are given an “all clear” by your doctor, it’s definitely worth giving it a try. On the other hand, if you are realistic, patient, and don’t expect any overnight miracles, there’s no reason why you can’t try it out.
Still couldn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out other inversion therapy types of equipment, like inversion tables and gravity boots, on our homepage.
