5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sturdy but not too heavy, February 17, 2009
This review is from: Health Mark IVO18660 Pro Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)
When I looked at these my back was killing me (pinched nerve) and the last thing I wanted was one that weighed 80lbs. This one was lighter than the others I looked at so I decided to try it and hope it was not too flimsy. It was perfect.
The pipes that hold it up are about 1 and 1/4 in diameter, made out of strong metal and don't appear likely to bend. The instructions were terrible and tell you to put the handles on backwards. Use the Amazon picture as a guide. The nylon covers that protect you from being pinched are also rather mysterious as they have long straps that would seem to have some function but don't. Other than that the unit works well and adjusts to different heights.
Be sure to adjust it to your height because if you don't, the unit won't come out of the upside down position as easily. Normally all you have to do is place your arms at your side to be in reach of the handles and able to right yourself. After using the unit for a week my back is 100% better.
For those of you who are thinking of using this for ab work, it does not work for that. Trying to bend causes the unit (as it is supposed to) to bring your feet back down.
After being in pain for over a month I HIGHLY recommend it for back issues. Be aware that you may have some muscle pain at first, especially if your issues stemmed from carrying heavy loads on one side of your body. Since the muscles are contracting unevenly, stretching them out can cause some mild discomfort. This is worth it when compared to the relief it gives. It stopped the pain my back after only a few minutes.
UPDATE: This did wonders for my back in a very short time, but I want to add that it DOES NOT fold up very well. It is extremely bulky and hard to store. Also the rubber tips come off of the legs if you try to stand it up after you fold it. This can put some nasty scratches on your floor if you aren't careful.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well made, January 13, 2007
This review is from: Health Mark IVO18660 Pro Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)
This product has been most satisfactory -- sturdy and well made. There is a considerable amount of assembly, but don't let the instruction manual frighten you! All of the parts have been carefully placed where you'll need them, and lots of pre-assembly set-up took place before packaging.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
MOST IMPORTANTLY: THIS ONE DOES !! Not all DO !! HANG FREE from bed see 3rd PICTURE, June 28, 2010
This review is from: Health Mark IVO18660 Pro Inversion Therapy Table (Sports)
I have became ^ ^ part BAT after suffering a broken back and a failed surgical procedure. I am experientially - . - something of an "expert". Believe me, if THIS table has saved me from many hours of suffering, it can, you, too.
I just can't get the lift back into my thoracic (mid back) spine until I get on this table. This inversion table is designed to allow you to "HANG FREE" from the black cloth "bed" or "table" as they call it. (But, you can flip ONLY as far as you want.)
As far as I am concerned, you can't really get a good stretch to your spine, allow it to assume its natural shape without-the-influence-of-gravity, like a baby floating in the womb, without this "HANG FREE' feature. Part-way just doesn't do it.
I don't know if there is a way to determine if any of the other offered inversion tables will allow you to do this without actually trying them. So, DON'T TAKE A CHANCE on others. Just, BUY THIS ONE, BECAUSE, THIS ONE WILL! The $100-$150 ones don't. This one is definitely worth the money. As the others have written, it is good and sturdy. If you really want to use it therapeutically, you will need to leave it up and use it once or twice a day.
It is the next best thing to submersion up-to-your-chin in a pool to take the stress off your entire spine. It increases the flow of spinal fluid, helps the return of lymph back to the blood stream (your body's toxic waste eliminator).
Please, if you think it is too expensive, just think about the cost of buying one that doesn't hang free or isn't sturdy and having to return it! Man! that mistake is literally a physical and mental challenge to repack one of these in its original packing!
Here is another big help available on Amazon Arched Back Lumbar Stretcher Extender, Model# 83-4866V
http://www.amazon.com/Arched-Lumbar-Stretcher-Extender-83-4866V/dp/B000VM0JTO/ref=pd_sim_sg_2
Arched Back Lumbar Stretcher Extender, Model# 83-4866V
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