Best Inversion Chairs: A Review & Guide

Finding the Best Inversion Chair: What to Keep in Mind

Now that you’re updated on the best inversion chairs money can get, here are some additional factors to bear in mind when trying to narrow down your quest to a single product.

Ease of Use
In other words, what’s the design like? Is it too complex and difficult to maneuver? Or does it make for a great user experience? You’re likely scouting for a perfect inversion chair in your search for the simplest inversion tool around. And that’s why you need to give its design substantial forethought.

Features and Adjustability of Your Inversion Chair
A feature-rich product will make a world of difference when it comes to ease of use and effectiveness. Inspect the chair for features such as an ankle-locking system, adjustable straps that allow for a decent inversion angle, textured handlebars, etc. The last thing you want to end up with is an inversion chair that doesn’t fit you and isn’t adjustable.

Precautions and Safety

You know what they say – safety first. It should go without saying your inversion chair should have an adjustable lap belt and preferably some sort of a safety locking system that prevents inversion past the desired angle. Pay attention to weight capacity as well. If you’re of bigger build make sure the chair can withhold your weight to stay on the safe side.

Durability and Stability
Always check the frame of the inversion chair you’re considering is made of a heavy-duty, quality material. You want to keep your chair as stable, lightweight, and durable as possible.

Comfort Matters
Don’t cause further pain to your back or neck by inverting in a chair that’s uncomfortable. Ensure there’s sufficient padding on all components where your body makes contact with the chair. This most often includes upholstery, handlebars and ankle bars.

Size and Storage
You may also want to think about the size of your inversion chair. How long is the assembly going to take? Is it going to fit where you planned to store it? In the case your answer is no, is it the product foldable and thus easier to put away? Seems like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how many folks end up with an oversized inversion chair with no place to stash away.

Think about Your Budget
Obviously, the price is going to play an important role in your decision-making process and you should definitely stick to your budget. But keep in mind it’s worth saving a few extra bucks for a product that’s going to last and prove to be a good investment down the road.

Best Inversion Chair Brands

Apart from the aforementioned factors you should be aware of, make sure you’re buying from a reputable brand. Not only will you have a peace of mind the manufacturer will stand behind their promises, but you’ll also know your product comes from a maker that has honed their craft in the industry.

Best Inversion Chair for Back Pain

Now, if you’re riddled with back pain and are looking for a safe and prompt relief, your top concerns should be decent stability and adjustability options.

Another thing you’ll want to have in mind is usability. A chair that’s easy to get in and out of makes a world of difference when you’re trying to minimize back pain.

The leader in our roundup, Health Mark IV18600 Pro Inversion Therapy Chair fits the bill just right. It’s extremely easy to use and the plethora of functions and adjustments within your hand’s reach allow you to configure the chair per your needs, so that you can completely relax while inverted. Consequently, this product scores remarkably well when it comes to tension relief and spinal decompression.

The Stamina Inline Inversion Chair makes a great alternative, too. You’re able to quickly adjust it how you want and decompress your spine with maximum comfort and stability granted by padded components, durable frame, and skid-resistant floor protectors. This means less jiggling and shaking which can sometimes intensify the user’s back pain.

Grab Your Inversion Chair and Listen Up: Here’s What You Need to Know

Modern humans live quite a sedentary life; we sit while we drive to work, when we’re at work, at home, over a drink or a meal, practically anywhere we can. Sitting is steadily becoming our primary posture and somewhat of a second nature. In fact, an urban American working an office job spends close to 15 hours per day sitting down. (1) Naturally, this reflects in over 30 chronic diseases and conditions which link back to excessive sitting. (2)

However, in recent years, we managed to befriend chairs and grace them with a few upgrades. We added a lever here, a handle there and now we use them to bolster our health and even treat some of the conditions caused by the traditional chairs. We’ve created a fitness tool that’s simple and straightforward to use, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of inversion therapy with minimum discomfort. Meet inversion chairs.

What Is an Inversion Chair

Also called gravity chairs, anti-gravity chairs, or inverted chairs, these are basically chairs that allow you to assume an upside-down (inverted) position. And considering most of us are unable to pop into a few-minute-long handstand and don’t want to pressure our ankles and joints, an inverted chair comes in handy as an excellent alternative.

There are multiple ways to practice inversion therapy. Some are less challenging and quite straightforward, other require a certain level of physical strength and stamina. What’s so great about inversion chairs is they put the least amount of pressure on your body and for this reason alone are very appealing to many people. You simply get yourself seated while inversion chair starts rotating as you lean back, securely strapped in its seat.

You’re then able to get the same amount of traction as you would with an inversion table, only it’s a lot easier to use them. Some folks tend to confuse inversion tables for chairs and often think they’re the same. Perhaps this is because inversion chairs are not as well known or popular as other inversion tools on the market are. In any case, the two are quite distinct and we’ll outline their difference a bit later on.

Types of Inversion Chairs

Broadly speaking, we can group inversion chairs into two of the following types: models which flatten as soon as you begin inverting and those which keep the user seated throughout the inversion process.

The former products are easy to get in and off and look a lot like inversion tables when in use. With them, you are able to perform a near full inversion without the need of being in great physical shape.

The latter inversion chairs usually feature a built-in knee support bar and typically don’t rotate by more than 70 degrees. Still, they provide just enough traction needed for spinal decompression and other benefits of inversion therapy.

And as with every fitness tool out there, inversion chairs come in a plethora of styles, material, and with a wide range of features. Some are more easily adjustable, some complex in design. Others will sport a minimalist design while there will be ones with more features that you will possibly need. There are even models which are a hybrid of inversion tables and chairs, combining certain elements of both.

To find and compare some of the very best inversion chairs this year has in store, head over to our dedicated guide where we’ll try to help you pick the one that suits your needs and budget the most.

It is also worth noting that, when compared to their rival inversion tools, chairs are relatively scarce on the market. Still, there are enough to get lost in the variety of choice. And of course, it goes without saying the price range can vary quite wildly, too. There will be extremely affordable inversion chairs and then some that will burn a hole in your pocket.

Inversion Chair vs Inversion Table

We cannot say for sure which one of these two inversion tools is better for you without taking into account your personal circumstances. Indeed, those who are in ideal health and don’t suffer from any medical issues might be better off with an inversion table as they won’t find it difficult to use one.

Plus, because of their soaring popularity, inversion tables are a lot more abundant on the market and come in a plethora of different styles and variations. If you’re after fancy features such as heated padding, adjustable lumbar support, or massage function, inversion tables have it all covered.

If you’re keen on learning more, give a read to our best inversion table guide. We’ve outlined some of the very best product the market has to offer.

However, anyone struggling with mobility or suffering from knee, ankle, or hip pain will find inversion chairs a lot more suitable. For example, an older individual who’s considerably out of shape will most likely favor gravity chairs to any other inversion tool on the market, primarily for their ease of use.

In other words, gravity chairs are hard to beat when it comes to comfort, support, and stability. So, to come back to our inversion chair vs inversion table duel, the answer to which product is better relies solely on your own situation.

Benefits of an Inversion Chair

What’s so great about inversion chairs is their ability to take a lot of stress off your body which renders them extremely convenient for many people who struggle with related conditions. You’re not only able to get in and get off an inversion chair with ease, but once you’re strapped to the seat, the pressure is evenly distributed across your body instead of being anchored in your ankles, knees, or pelvis.

What’s more, inversion chairs allow you to move your torso more freely. You’re even able to lightly stretch and twist in an upside-down position, adding a bit of a kick to your standard inversion session. For advanced users, there are chairs that even make working out on them possible.

But that is not to say standard inversion therapy doesn’t come with enough benefits as it is. Both of these tools allow you to decompress your spine, thus improving circulation between the vertebrates and reduce muscle tension, fatigue, and lower back pain.

To sum up, the include:

How to Use an Inversion Chair?

Because inversion chairs are essentially redesigned inversion tables, the process of inverting on both is not worlds apart. What makes inversion chairs simpler to use is the fact you’re starting out in a seated position, instead of a fully stretched one.

Most models will come with a leg-lock system and an adjustable belt that goes across your lap. Make sure you make use of both before inverting. Only when you’re securely seated in place should you start leaning back. As you rotate and the chair starts to flatten, hold onto the handles to ease your progression. These will come in handy when it’s time to go back into the initial position as well.

Finally, most inversion chairs let you control how far you go back. Some models feature an adjustable strap that sets the angle, others have a lever that locks the mechanism in place. Either way, make sure you start with a moderate angle. You want to let your body adapt to the practice of inverting before moving on to more demanding positions.

Should You Consider Buying One?

If you’re looking to try inversion therapy and enjoy the multiple benefits this practice brings along, then the answer is yes. Even more so if you’re lacking mobility or are suffering from chronic pain and physical injuries.

This is usually the main reason why people prefer inversion chairs to tables, boots, or swings. The ease of getting in and off combined with the evenly distributed weight makes these products incredibly secure and straightforward, which certain people find invaluable. However, because inversion chairs are often out of stock we encourage the more advanced users to look into other inversion tools. You can find out more here about gravity boots or inversion swings.

Your Questions Answered (FAQ)

Still confused as to what inversion chairs are and how to use them? Here we answer some of the frequently asked questions.

How Do I Use an Inversion Chair?

Get yourself seated in the chair and secure the lap belt so that it holds you comfortably yet tightly in the position. If needed, make adjustments in advance to the leg-locking system and the inversion angle.

Then, gently lean back and start inverting. We recommend you begin with a modest angle of no more than 30 degrees at first. You can progress to more challenging angles once your body gets adjusted to an upside down position.

How Long Should I Invert for?

The exact length of your inversion session isn’t set in stone. You may be a seasoned practitioner and feel more comfortable with inverting longer or a complete beginner who is taking his or her first steps in this world. In the latter case, you’ll obviously want to start light and work your way up the clock.

The time you spend upside down also depends on the degree you’re inverting to. Laying back at a 20-degree angle is a lot easier on the body than a 70-degree angle. With that being said there isn’t a definitive time limit – some users invert for 2-3 minutes while others practice for longer periods of 10 to 20 minutes. Listen to your body and dismount when it stops feeling comfortable. Shorter periods divided into several daily sessions work better than a single, lengthy session.

Which Angle Should I Invert at?

The answer to this question depends on you. If you’re just starting out and are a beginner invertee, we recommend you go for a mild angle of about 20 to 30 degrees. After a couple of weeks, you can progress to a more challenging angle and work the chair to its maximum.

When Will I Start to Notice Benefits?

It varies. Some users feel the benefits straight away while for others, it can take several weeks to kick in. The most important thing is to relax and allow your body to adapt to this new practice. The rewards will follow.

How Much Space Will My Inversion Chair Take?

This very much depends on the particular model we’re talking about. Some chairs, such as the Body Power IT9910 are rather bulky while others come in more modest dimensions. Make sure to prepare enough space beforehand and don’t forget to account ceiling, furniture, and bystanders in.

How Many Times per Day Should I Invert?

Remember that frequency is the key with inversion. Practicing several times per day in shorter intervals is more beneficial than inverting for longer periods of time but once per day.

Is It Normal to Feel Dizzy?

At first, especially if you dive into the practice too quickly, you may get off your inversion chair feeling a little dizzy. This is nothing unusual, after all, all your blood is rushing down to your head and is then being forced back to your body when you dismount. But just because the blood is rushing doesn’t mean you have to as well. Keep your movements gentle and give your body some time.

Are My Ankles 100% Safe?

Inversion chairs are renowned for their ease of use and even distribution of weight load. This means you should feel no pain while inverting, even if you have issues with your joints. To ensure maximum safety and comfort, remember to:

Can I Move When Inverted?

Yes! In fact, gentle movements and stretches while inverted are highly recommended. But, kicking back and relaxing is fine, too. Whatever works for you best.

How Does an Inversion Chair Relieve Back Pain?

When in an upside down position, your body benefits from spinal decompression among other things. This is because pressure between your vertebrae space is reduced significantly when you invert. Simply put, as your spine stretches and aligns, your nerves have more room to breathe and thus don’t spark as much pain.

Can I Injure Myself While Inverting?

This is another very common question. While inversion is generally safe, the practice can worsen some of the user’s pre-existing conditions. Therefore, those with blood pressure issues, heart problems, and similar cardiovascular diseases should take extra precautions before setting off. (3, 4)

In addition, by not giving your body the time to adjust and overdoing an angle, you are risking dizziness and disorientation once you’re back to normal.

Are Inversion Chairs Suitable for Senior Citizens?

Inversion chairs are one of the easiest, if not the easiest, inversion tools out there. Therefore, elderly members of the community are encouraged to use them so long they don’t fall into the category of people who should avoid inverting altogether.

Are Inversion Chairs Difficult to Assemble?

As with other fitness tools, you’ll need to free up some time for assembly. Certain models will be easier to put together while others may be a little more complex. As a rule of thumb, the process shouldn’t take more than an hour. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely and leave no screws behind apart from the spare ones.