Customer Reviews

Body Champ IT8070 Inversion Therapy Table

5 star:		(159)
4 star:		(73)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

First of all, don't buy this if you can't take hanging upside down, or partially upside down. This is an inversion table, and called such because it "inverts" your body, and so you're put into an upside-down position. Also know that this device can increase the pressure in your eyes, so if you have eye trouble, check with your doctor first before jumping right in.

That being said, this is a great device that "stretches" the spine. I use the word stretch, but the effect on your spine is a little more than that. When you use this machine, and your body is inverted, this imparts a traction force on your spine, which distracts your vertebrae. So, traction is the force that the inversion table puts on your spine, distraction is the effect.

Now when your spine is distracted, the vertebrae that arw stacked on one another (with a disc in between them), move farther apart from each other- which takes pressure off the discs that lie between them- and this is a very good thing for your discs. This is because the discs are being compressed all day long as we move around in an upright position. Know that the discs have a high water content, and as you sleep in a horizontal position in bed, they actually swell a bit as they pick up water overnight (because they're not being compressed). Then, when you get up in the morning and move around all day with your spine in a vertical position, this water is expressed to a certain degree throughout the day. This is why you are a little taller in the morning than at the end of the day!

As you can see, this device is very good for your discs- especially ones that are herniated. Other good things this device can do for you is take pressure off pinched or compressed spinal nerves in your back. Since the inversion table distracts the vertebrae a little, this moves them farther apart- which gives the nerves that come out between them "room to breathe".

Lastly, because you're hanging upside down, your back muscles don't need to work- and so they get a chance to relax and get a break! And relaxed muscles make for a happy back...

Consider using an inversion table if the idea appeals to you and you don't mind hanging upside down (or partially upside down), and the Body Champ IT8070 Inversion Therapy Table would be a good pick. About the only bad thing I can say about it is that it does nothing to strengthen your back- and for that, I suggest checking out books like Treat Your Own Spinal Stenosis. Good luck!

I did a lot of online research on inversion tables after really enjoying using the one at my chiropractor's office (a very nice Teeter brand one). I read a lot of reviews of different tables and tried to decide what to spend. Prices range from low ($100+ like this one), average ($200-400) to really high ($1000 and up). I decided that all I needed was a table that would safely turn me upside-down for a while, so I went cheap and basic. The table wasn't hard to assemble (I did it myself in about an hour, though a second pair of hands would have been...well, handy.) In any case, when I first got on it, it felt a little wobbly and there were a couple "clicks" as things shifted slightly with my weight on it for the first time. It took a couple adjustments to get it set right for my center of gravity, but soon I could simply raise one arm then the other to make it glide slowly back to the inverted position. At that point I realized that the pads that cushion the ankles and feet were lacking. The ones on my chiropractor's table are way more comfortable. Most likely I'll come up with some way to pad them better as it's supposed to be relaxing (and it is...I slept like a LOG after the first time I used it!), but it's not easy to relax on the table when your feet are hurting. Other than that, a pretty good table for the money, and it was shipped by Amazon sooner than expected!

I've had it for about a month now, and I LOVE IT! Hubby and I are even starting to do sit-ups while on it! I have hip and back pains, and althought when they're really bad, it takes me several minutes to get myself into position on the board. But every time, I'm only on it for 2, maybe 3 minutes, and it's like a miracle! Pain free for days/weeks! I only use it when I'm in pain, because we live in a very small house and have no open area to keep it perminantly. However, I believe if it were out all the time, and I got on it every day, back and hip pain would be a thing of the past. It does take some time to get used to being upside down. I still have to come back up slowly to avoid a head rush. And as far as stability, I'm 230 lbs, so it's deffinatelly stable! And as far as the issue some people have had with the ankle bar's being uncomfortable, I don't have that problem at all. I find it quite comfortable. Seriously, I highly recommend this!! I don't know how I lived without it!

First, I'll say that I've wanted an inversion table for years but just thought it would collect dust like the rest of my exercise-related equipment (although I never planned to use this for exercise). I finally decided to take the plunge with the Gold Box offer and the convenient fact that my back hurt at the time. Also, and this is pretty funny, I bought this about 4 days before Dr. Oz highlighted the inversion table as something to try. So I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon.

I read the user reviews before I bought this, which I always find incredibly helpful. So when I decided to buy this model, I was totally aware of the issues other users reported with the foot-holds being stiff and causing pain or discomfort.

I've had this for a week now, and I'll try to remember to update this review after a few months, but I wanted to give it a short chance before my review.

I bought this table so that I had a way to stretch out my lower back, which I have problems with because of sports and stress (and being heavier than I should be). I have also read the theory that being upside down increases the dopamine and endorphin release (which increases energy) because of the increased bloodflow to the head, but that wasn't my reason for purchasing.

After a week, I can say that I have used this at least daily, and mostly 2x per day. And I can honestly say that my back hasn't felt this good in years! And because my back doesn't hurt, my whole body feels better than ever. I've gone the chiropractor route, which has helped me immensely as well, but I can't always go to the chiropractor because of my travel schedule. And my health insurance only covers a limited number of visits per year. So this is a fantastic alternative.

I can't even express how much less tense my back is now. And usually my back hurts when I wake up in the morning, but it hasn't in the last week. You don't really realize how tense you are until you aren't anymore and then you thank the back gods for distilling this effect on you.

As far as the dopamine/endorphine rush that people talk about, I will say that it could all be a placebo effect, but I really do think that there has been a mental effect for me. It could be that I have taken 5 minutes out to hang upside down and do absolutely nothing, or that relaxing my back has made me happier, but I could swear that I just feel more at ease after using the table. It has gotten to the point that if I feel tense or upset I actually think about hanging upside down first instead of my other unhealthy alternatives (cigarette or beer :)). And I actually had a friend tell me tonight that I seemed like I had more energy or perkiness or something, and that spoke volumes to me...

As for the 4-star review, I will reiterate the things that other reviewers have said. The product packaging could be better. Nuts and bolts were thrown in with the major product parts without anything holding them together, so they just float around in large plastic bags alongside the large parts. I'm missing a couple of washers and I'm debating on whether it's easier to drive two blocks to the Home Depot or call the manufacturer to get it sent.

And I agree with the reviews on the foot-holds. They could be more comfortable. I haven't tried to modify the padding yet but it's really not as important to me as being able to relax my back. And for the price, I can deal with a little discomfort. I could have gotten an upgraded model, but it's not worth $50+ to me if I can wrap some washcloths around these foot pads and be fine.

And while I'm okay with the foot-holds now, I also have visions of slipping out of these holds because of the angles that they reside. The angle that the holds are placed makes me feel like if my toes were pointed a little straighter that my feet would slip through the holds and I would land on my head. I haven't fallen out yet, but I will say that I still think about it.

Oh, and I was scared the first time I tried the table because I live alone and would have no help if I couldn't raise myself from the inverted position (so I put the table next to a chair that I could use to prop myself up). But the safety handles are in perfect position. I haven't quite figured out the perfect balance between the height of the table versus the pivot bar position, so I can't raise myself by lowering my arms as the instructions say, but the safety bars are easy to grab so I can pull myself up. I don't know if other tables have this feature, but I wanted to speak about it for others that may have the same concern.

Very basic table. It does what is expected. But found a few flaws compared with my Weslo inversion table from Meijers:

Functional:
- Table does not change angle in small comfortable increments when you slide your arms as instructed. Despite table was assembled with the settings in the less sensitive position (bracket position), this table goes from 0 to full inversion with absolutely no control angle and it is difficult to get back to horizontal (despite I'm an athletic person). You MUST have the holding strap in position to limit the max. My Weslo table does a much better job, there. In the Weslo table you can control almost any angle by moving your arms in different positions and is very easy to get out of full inversion without assistance.

Cosmetic:
- Adjustment height numbers printed on a label on the extension rod. These labels tend to get ripped every time height is adjusted. The Weslo table have these numbers engraved in the metal.
- Moving parts are painted. Weslo table have them chromed.

Quality:
- One plastic plug arrived broken.
- One fell apart during assembly.
- Anti-slip sticker on foot bracket came all messed up from factory.

Doctors and chiropractors did little to help my back pain. This table does WONDERS! Yes, it took a couple hours to put it together and there was one missing washer. The padded back support is excellent. I set the machine up for my exact height and was able to invert without a problem.........altho a little too fast sometimes. With practice the table works well. And my back pain is almost gone. I hang for more than 30 minutes a day divided into 3 sessions. The relief it has given me is priceless. The table is sturdy......and folds for storage. Well worth the price. Wish I had found this a long time ago. It's cost is only about the cost of ONE doctors visit, and he did almost nothing to relieve the pain. THIS DOES. What's not to like?

I bought this product 2 months ago,it arrived on time, it was easy to assemble. I ride a motorcycle and have had lower back pain for years after using the Body Champ the pain has all but disappeared. I checked out many inversion tables on the net and Amazon I chose the Body Champ because of the price and design. I use it twice daily for 4 minutes at a time, I highly recommend this product....

I purchased this item on 12/26/08. Item came quick and was exactly as advertised. It took about 1 hour to assemble ( I laid all the parts out next to the description sheet) and went together without a problem.
My back was killing me before I started and hurt even more when finished assembling the table. So I hopped right on and flipped over about 75 degrees and hung there for as long as I could. This table will put a strain on your heels and ankles, so I added some extra padding around the foot restraints. Well after a few days of use, with each session no longer than 5 minutes, my back feels way better. I went for the bargin table and was not disappointed. It works, but pad those foot restraints.

I've struggled with back pain for over a decade and during that time I used a Hang-up Teeter Hang Up F5000 series inversion table (a low-end model) to help alleviate the pain for about two years. We moved and I had to sell it. This model was my second and I purchased it because of the number of people who purchased it, the very high reviews and the price point. Now, I wish I hadn't. Why the ratings are so high is a mystery to me. It's subpar in just about every regard.

First, the back cushion is hard as a rock. Unlike the F5000, which had a tension fabric that gave a bit, it feels like you're laying on a piece of wood. Second, for some inexplicable reason, the backboard is elevated 1-2 inches higher than the foot rest. This pushes the pelvis forward which causes the body to arch from foot to head, the highest point being the pelvis. The reason I noticed this is that I started to experience hip pain on both sides of my legs after using the product 2-3 times. I'd never had it before and it began waking me up at night. It took me a while to make the association, but once I did, I stopped using this table immediately. That was 2 weeks ago and the hip pain has yet to subside and I'm still waking-up at nights because of it. So now I have that to deal with hip pain in addition to the back pain and I'm out $130. In case you're wondering, I checked the assembly instructions again this is not due to assembly error on my part. There's no way to put this thing together that brings the backboard inline with the foot rest like on the F5000.

Lastly, it's hard to properly balance the device. Unlike a Teeter F5000, you can't just move your arms to bring yourself back into the upright position. You have to pull yourself up. This is minor compared to the hip pain I now have to endure, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

Take my advice, spring for a Teeter and spare your body the possibility of additional injury. I ended-up ordering the Teeter F550 today (~299). If my prior Teeter experience is any indication, it'll be worth every penny. I can't resell my Body "champ" in good conscience for fear of it hurting someone else. I'm hauling it to the dumpster tomorrow morning. Good riddance.

I was worried it would be bad quality for what I paid, but it is great! We use it once a day, and our backs feel a lot better! It is great to use it after a long day on your feet and you get great sleep after using it! Totally worth getting one. It is very sturdy and very good quality! Folds up easy to put away but not too big to keep out. Amazon got it here very fast and in a big sturdy box...you do have to put it together though, but it does not take long! Enjoy!