Today's fitness and health conscious individuals are a diverse group representing a wide spectrum of fitness needs. As people become more exercise savvy, many look for more than basic treadmills and weight machines to give them a whole body workout. They recognize the importance of a well-balanced workout, one that keeps them toned, fit and flexible.

Similar to the benefits accomplished with Yoga or Pilates, inversion equipment can help users improve flexibility, build core muscles and relax and reduce stress. However, the simplicity of use makes inversion equipment approachable and appealing to a greater cross-section of people. A regular program of inversion may help to:

Reduce pain in overworked muscles: Athletes prone to stiffness or muscle spasms after a workout can benefit from the lymphatic wash provided by inversion. Intense muscle activities cause muscles to become sore. This is due to the build up of large amounts of lactic acid and cellular debris in the muscles.

Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system has no pump. Only the alternate contraction and relaxation of muscles move lymphatic fluid "uphill" through capillaries and one-way valves to the upper chest for cleansing. Inverting the body so that gravity works with, not against, these one-way valves helps to push the lactic fluid up to the chest. The faster the lymphatic system is cleared, the faster the ache and pain of stiff muscles disappears.

Provide balance and orientation training: The performance of inverted activities can be enhanced through inversion training. Inversion helps to develop balance awareness, which occurs when the upper regions of the inner ear are stimulated. Skydivers, gymnasts, springboard divers, and scuba divers find that inversion therapy fine-tunes the body and inner ear to the inverted world. Inversion therapy has also been used to normalise the ear canal as a treatment for motion sickness.

Strengthen ligaments: Ligaments are fibrous, collagen-filled strips of tissue that hold your bones together. They are flexible but not very elastic, and can tear when they endure sudden strain or are stretched too far. Mobilization and gentle loading of ligaments can help to increase the collagen content of the tissue, which results in increased ligament strength¹. Inverted stretching and exercise provides gentle reverse loading and mobilization of the spine and weight-bearing joints, helping to strengthen the fibrous structure encasing these joints. Strong ligaments and muscles are vital for proper joint support.

Increase flexibility and range of movement: Stretching while inverted maximises effectiveness because it utilises the users own body weight as well as eliminates any compression. The resulting traction lengthens muscles and increases separation of weight bearing joints thus improving circulation to the soft tissue of the joints, helping them to rejuvenate naturally.

Reduce stress on body after a workout: Inversion decompresses joints, helping them to re-hydrate for better shock absorption and reduced pain. During a high impact workout, joints and especially discs, loose fluid resulting in a temporary height loss of .5 to .75 inches (1.3 to 1.9 cm). Inversion has been proven to increase intervertebral separation thus helping the discs to recover faster.

Encourage muscle development: Thousands of destroyed cells need to be trucked away after every workout to make room for new growth. This happens through the lymph system, which circulates slowly, taking many hours to make one cycle. Inversion helps to stimulate lymph flow which speeds the removal of waste and allows the body to focus on building new muscle tissue. This equals faster recovery after a workout and quicker results.

Build core muscles: Core muscles, the muscles providing support for the torso (abdominals, internal and external obliques, and lower back muscles), are responsible for the maintenance of posture, efficiency in movement and transfer of power in the body.

Weak abdominal muscles allow you to slump forward, making you more vulnerable to misalignments and injury. Well-developed core muscles improve performance in athletic activities as well as with day-to-day activities, supporting the spine in proper alignment to avoid injury. Strong abdominal muscles support the spine by increasing internal pressure (similar to using a back support when lifting heavy objects) to help relieve the load on the discs in the spinal column.
Unfortunately, most exercises designed to build core muscles must be performed with great technical accuracy or they can cause injury to the lumbar spine. Inverted exercises actually helps users to focus on building core strength without loading the spine. When performed from full inversion, exercises such as crunches, sit-ups and back extensions can build strength in the core with minimal risk of hyperextension or loading the spine improperly.

Enhance alignment and balance: Joints that are slightly out of alignment from overuse and misuse are helped to naturally realign with gentle stretching during decompression, resulting in better body symmetry and posture. When the body is balanced, it is more resilient to injury and able to perform at a higher, more efficient level.

Recover from High Impact Workouts: Nearly every activity involves some form of compression of the spine. The compressive effect of gravity is compounded by activities such as running, weightlifting, aerobics, skiing, biking, and golf, which can exact an incredible toll on the spine, discs, and back muscles.

If we perform our daily activities in the wrong way we can create skeletal misalignments. Most often these misalignments are nominal and will readily correct themselves given the opportunity. Inversion with movement (such as side-to-side bends, back arches, and a partial sit-up or two) provides that opportunity.

One-sided activities, like golf or tennis, can be particularly troublesome for the athlete for two reasons: The body will tend to over compensate for the strong-side muscle groups, pulling the spine out of alignment, and one-sided activities usually involve rotation of the spine, often under incredible loads. Inversion after physical activity may help to realign the spine and keep athletes performing at higher levels for longer periods of time.

Still other physical activities tend to create tension in the muscles due to a contraction of the major muscle groups for long periods of time. In-line skating, swimming, bicycling, windsurfing and rowing are examples of activities which tend to create a great deal of lower back strain. Athletes in these sports can receive a tremendous boost from the relaxing stretch of inversion therapy.

Results may not be typical and vary by user.
Please check with your physician prior to inverting.
Click Here for contraindications

• When I was first introduced to Teeter commercial inversion equipment, I was blown away. I now utilise inversion in my own daily fitness routine, and recommend it to all of my clients...
  
  
  • In fact, I believe in this equipment so much that I decided to sell it myself!
    
    —Ian Walling Musclemania Natural World Pro Champion 2002; Mr. Natural Universe 1998; Gold at Natural Olympia
    
    
    
    
    
• I tend to rely on common sense when I train myself and my many clients. When I was introduced to inversion therapy, it made such sense to me that I had to have an inversion unit in my gym, International Fitness...
  
  
  • I love the product and so do my members!
    
    How often have we heard our grandparents say, "I used to be 5'9" but I shrunk over the years"? It is time to allow gravity to work for you instead of against you.
    
    —Clark Bartram"America's Most Trusted Fitness Personality" and host of the American Health & Fitness show
    
    
    
    
    
• We LOVE the quality of your product, and believe it does meet the demands of the serious competitive athlete.
  
  
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    —Athletes' Performance, Mark Verstegen
    [Athletes' Performance mission statement: To provide the finest methods, specialists and facilities seamlessly integrated to efficiently and ethically enhance our athletes' performance.]
• The enormous value of self-managed, inverted decompression is widely known among fitness experts, and the Power VITM Inversion Table is absolutely one of the best inversion machines on the market today. Its motorised push-button controls allow for easy transition from the upright to inverted position, and its solid construction is reassuring to the novice...
  
  
  • Whether used for only slight head downward stretching or complete inverted decompression, no other inversion machine matches the Power VITM Inversion Table. In almost thirty years of studying, using and teaching inverted training, I have not seen a better design.
    
    —Dr. Ed Thomas, Ed.D., Kinesiologist, Iowa State Health and PE Consultant
• As a junior, I was top five in the nation and played tennis for Pepperdine University from 1983-1986. In 1999, I finished my last year of eligibility playing tennis for Auburn University at Montgomery at the age of 35 years old. When the season began, I hurt my back playing tennis and had an MRI with a diagnosis of a severe herniated disc at L5 and L6. I was in such severe pain, I could not get out of bed...
  
  
  • I tried [the inversion table] with instant relief and have never had a problem since... I played the season with AUM and finished with a 15-1 record in singles and a 15-1 record in doubles.
    
    As a teaching Pro on the court between 6-12 hours a day, I highly recommend using the Teeter Hang Ups® products for prevention of back problems or relief and healing of a back problem. Every teaching Pro should use it.
    
    —Daniel Leal, Tennis Professional, Director of Tennis for Wynlakes Golf and CC
• We believe in the value of inverted decompression and mobilization and appreciate your efforts to produce safe and effective equipment...
  
  
  • Your inversion boots and inversion table provide an ideal way to mitigate the stress of jumping, running and other strenuous tasks we require our soldier to regularly perform. We intend to include inverted decompression and mobilization in future army-wide physical training doctrine.
    
    —Col. William R. Rieger, Commandant, U.S. Army Physical Fitness School
    
    
• When you get older, people tell you to take it easy, but the opposite is true. You've gotta be active!
  
  
  • The #1 thing for older people is to stretch, stretch, stretch. The [Teeter Hang Ups® Inversion Table] has been a blessing to me. I'm afraid I'm preaching the gospel of inversion all the time for anyone who's got back problems or even health problems
    
    —Bert Morrow, World record hurdler, motivational speaker
    
    Note of interest: 40 years ago, Bert suffered from four ruptured discs in his back. He credits inversion for his flexibility and strength - he's performed 40 inverted sit-ups every day for the last 30 years.
• I have found that 100 upside down sit-ups are equal to 1000 regular sit-ups (with less strain on the back).
  
  
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    —Rick Maisel, Active Athlete
• We purchased our Inversion Table and Inversion Boots over two months ago. My husband and I use the inversion table on a regular basis, usually once a day. We also encourage our teenagers to use it...
  
  
  • I am pleased to have the opportunity to tell prospective buyers that we feel the inversion table is one of our best investments! We are avid golfers and I am a fitness/yoga instructor. We use the inversion table to lengthen our spine, which helps to prevent back pain and thus maintain overall health.
    
    —B & R. Winchester, St. Thomas, Ontario
• I recently purchased a pair of Teeter Hang Ups® [Gravity Boots] and an inversion rack. I've exercised regularly for years and have added [inversion] to my ever-changing routines. I weigh approximately 250 lbs. so understandably they've taken some getting used to...
  
  
  • But I have, and the amazing benefits have started to show already. Along with a newfound energy, acute pain from past sports injuries is far and few between. My back has never felt healthier and believe it or not my memory seems to be better as well due to the added circulation to my brain. The benefits seem to be endless at this point and it feels great, almost as if I'm turning the clock back in time. I've recently added the sounds of the rain forest to the whole experience and my goal is meditation while inverted, I call it, the temple of inversion (smiles). Thanks for the great equipment; I recommend it to anyone who wants to take their health and fitness to a much higher level. Thanks again.
    
    —S. Excell, Palatine, IL
• Follow-up letter: I've been a certified fitness trainer for 9 years, and previously a power lifter and body builder. I no longer lift anywhere near as intense and like I said, I've added Hang Ups® to a radically different (than previous years) exercise routine (including crunches on the Hang Ups® rack)...
  
  
  • I presently have an on-going list of what I think the long and short term benefits will be beside the obvious. Some friends and I are convinced we are onto the fountain of youth to some extent in the form of circulation, complexion, and even vision and memory benefits and much more, again the list goes on and on. In conclusion, I felt compelled to at least mention my opinion. If nothing else, I'll be using Hang Ups® for a long time to come and recommending inversion equipment to people I know.
    
    —S. Excell, Palatine, IL
• It is such an honor and a pleasure to let others know that your product can change lives. I have bought a treadmill since I last communicated with you, and I am "walking" a half-mile on it everyday. I never would have had been able to make such a decision if I hadn't first bought your inversion table...
  
  
  • When I first started out on the treadmill, I walked for only 10 minutes, then worked up to 15, then 20, etc. My next goal is to walk ¾ of a mile, then go for a mile! I have been too much the "couch potato" during the years that I was fighting breast cancer, so I knew that I needed to start out slow and work up to whatever goals I set. Besides being able to walk a ½ mile on my treadmill, I am now able to take my precious German Shepherd Dog for her walks, which she dearly loves. I am now on the way to losing the extra weight that I gained, from not being able to be on my feet for no longer than 10 or 15 minutes, due to horrific pain. The inversion table helps to control the low back pain that had robbed me of my life.
    I meant it when I said that the first time on the inversion table, felt like heaven! Tears came to my eyes, as I felt the muscles, ligaments, etc. just kind of "give up" and relax. It felt so wonderful. I invert 2-3 times a day. I don't ever want to have the pain that I was experiencing before I got the table. Thank you so much for bringing such a hope-giving product to folks like me!!!!
    
    —M.E. Richter, Tuscola, TX