It’s time to say goodbye to my aching back once and for all. After a long day on my feet, I want to be able to come home and take a load off with inversion therapy. I’m ready to invest in an inversion table – but there are so many to choose from and the price range is wild! I’m not going upside-down unless I feel safe and comfortable. So which inversion table is right for me? I’m going to look more closely at the Body Max IT6000 Inversion Table, because I’m liking its affordable price compared to other models.
Will The Body Max IT6000 Support Me?
My number one concern with an inversion table is safety – I’m not going upside-down on something that’s going to drop me. Because The Body Max IT6000 is on the lower end of the price range, I want to be sure the low cost is not sacrificing functionality. So what’s this table made of? The frame is constructed from tubular steel and the backrest is a tough nylon fabric stretched over the frame. A dual-pin system locks the table into your desired height adjustment and a safety strap prevents you from inverting further than you want to go.
The table is relatively easy to assemble, with most parts already in position right out of the box. The structure is heavy-duty enough to support anyone up to 250lbs without any unnerving wobble, and the handles and safety strap are sturdy.
Rather than straps, your ankles slide into cushioned supports that use gravity and the angle of your leg to lock in. Some users voiced a concern that they were going to slip out of the ankle supports while upside-down. You don’t want to be distracted flexing your feet and worrying while you’re trying to relax in inversion therapy. However, the ankle supports are adjustable, and you should be able to fiddle with the height adjustment and ankle supports enough to feel secure. Overall, the structure of the Body Max IT6000 is sturdy enough to do what it’s meant to do.
Tell Me About Comfort
You want to feel good on your inversion table to maximize the relaxation and muscle relief benefits of your inversion therapy – so how does the Body Max IT6000 fare on comfort? The height is adjustable for anyone from 4’8” to 6’3”, but individuals on the taller end of that spectrum find that their head ends up resting on the bar – not super comfy. Rather than a cushion, the back support is nylon stretched around the frame. Sometimes you can feel the bar through the fabric, and many users needed to add their own towels, cushions or pillows to make it more comfortable.
Let’s talk about the ankle supports – when you’re hanging upside-down it puts a lot of pressure on your ankles and feet. The Body Max IT6000 features four foam rollers around the ankles, which are rather cushiony. Still, if you’re inverting at the more drastic angles, you’ll notice more ankle discomfort with The Body Max IT6000 than with some of the more expensive inversion tables. You might find it necessary to wear supportive shoes or boots to protect your ankles from this discomfort. Some users added their own modifications to the ankle cushions for added support.
Stay in Control
The Body Max IT6000 is not going to let you go wild – there are basic safety features to keep you from leaving your comfort zone. Inversion therapy has different levels based on the individual, and not everyone wants to go completely vertical.
The U-shaped handrails give you somewhere to grab onto when you decide to return to an upright position. If you’re experimenting with different angles of inversion, you can set the safety strap to catch you before you angle yourself further than you want to go. A safety lock keeps the table secure while you invert.
Some users feel that the taller height setting is harder to control and makes the table tilt in a less smooth motion. Adjusting the height to the correct setting for you using the dual pin system will help you stay in control. You may need to add a cushion over the top bar for your head, if you want to set the Body Max IT6000 at a shorter setting.
Is it Portable?
When it’s fully assembled this inversion therapy table takes up quite a bit of space – like any inversion table. But the good thing is that the Body Max IT6000 can be folded to 20″ x 65″ x 28″, and can fit under most beds or in a closet. It does take some time and effort to fold and then reassemble, and it is very heavy at around 50 lbs. Putting the table away daily might not be convenient, but you can get The Body Max IT6000 stored away when you need to.
Let’s Review the Pros and Cons
Overall, the Body Max IT6000 is a sturdy inversion table that accomplishes angles necessary for inversion therapy. The price is one of the most affordable for a sturdy inversion table, but the comfort is somewhat sacrificed. Most users needed to add their own cushions, and had to wear heavy shoes to protect their ankles.
Body Max IT6000 Pros
- Affordable price compared to other inversion tables
- Sturdy metal frame
- Adjustable height
- Collapsible for under-bed storage
- Easy assembly
Body Max IT6000 Cons
- Not much back cushion, need to add your own pillows
- Ankle straps can be uncomfortable, need to wear boots/shoes
- Taller users need a pillow to protect their head from the frame
The Body Max IT6000 is an option for those who want to practice inversion therapy at home without spending too much money. If you’re simply looking for a way to get upside-down, relieve your lumbar and decompress your spine, then The Body Max IT6000 does the job.
