One of the worst parts of suffering from regular episodes of back pain is trying to find relief that doesn’t involve surgery or constantly popping pain pills.
As I have gotten older, I often find I have back pain after doing chores or working out. The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table is a good way to address this problem.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Inversion Table
Though there’s considerable clinical research that shows that inversion tables can temporarily relieve back pain, the results aren’t permanent.
However, a heavily-cited article performed at Newcastle University shows that 60% inversion combined with a stretching program helped 10 out of 12 patients with sciatica avoid back surgery.
Only 2 out of 12 patients in the control group enjoyed a similar result.
Teeter’s website indicates that their device can:
- Rehydrate disks
- Reduce nerve pressure
- Realign the spine
- Relax tense muscles
Rehydrating disks occurs because when standing upright, gravity squeezes spinal fluid out of your disks.
By reversing the pull of gravity, you take away this compression and allow the fluid to enter this space.
This compression not only crams your spinal disks together, but also reduces the clearance for spinal nerves that attach to your back.
This can mean that bone presses against your nerves, causing back pain. Inverting can help relieve this pressure and expand your spine.
Who Should Avoid Inversion
However, inversion isn’t for everyone.
Hanging upside-down can increase your blood pressure and the fluid pressure inside your eyeballs.
For these reasons, Dr. Lali Sekhorn at SpineUniverse.com advises that people with the following conditions avoid using inversion:
- Fractured bones
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal Injury
- Hernia
- Glaucoma
- Detached retina
- Middle ear or eye infection
- Any heart condition
- Obesity problems
- Pregnant
In general, anyone with severe structural problems with their spine, any heart condition, or eye problems should avoid inversion.
But, the good news is that inversion is safe for most healthy people.
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table
Along with helping you avoid back surgery through spinal traction, Teeter also claims that inversion tables can ease stress on muscles, improve joint health, improve flexibility and build core strength.
The FitSpine line is Teeter’s latest entry into the inversion table market.
These tables boast a backrest that has what Teeter calls a FlexTech bed that moves with your back.
Like all of Teeter’s products, the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table is registered with the FDA as a 510(k) medical device.
Pros
- FlexTech bed
- Backrest comes with lumbar support and 8-point suspension system
- Great ankle lock system
- Comes 85% assembled
- Folds well for storage
- Good build quality
- Includes accupressure nodes on backrest
Cons
- Expensive compared to other models
- Heavy 69 libs. makes it hard to move for some people with back pain
- No heated massage for premium priced table
Benefits and Features of the Teeter Fitspine X2
As Teeter’s newest product line, the Fitspine series includes the features from earlier products plus the FlexTech backrest.
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table fits people between 4’10” and 6’6″ and can support up to 300lbs.
Backrest
Teeter’s latest tables don’t have much padding, which makes them appear to be less comfortable than many other inversion tables.
However, the FlexTech bed moves as you move.
Teeter claims that this allows more spinal traction as opposed to padding, which can provide resistance to a full spinal stretch.
Laying on the Teeter’s X2 bed is certainly comfortable.
Plus, it includes lumbar support, a pad for your head, plus includes accupressure nodes.
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table also includes padded handles that you can push against while inverted to increase the spinal stretch.
They also can be used to help pull yourself upright, even though you should be able to simply move your arms to manage your body position.
You adjust the backrest for your height by using a pin system that comes in one-inch intervals between 4’8″ and 6’6″ along a metal spine.
That’s a wider range than most other inversion tables.
One downside to this backrest is that it only offers head padding, but not an adjustable headrest like some other inversion tables.
Overall, it’s not much of a problem, since the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table has so many other adjustable features.
Inversion
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table offers four different pre-set inversion angles for 20/40/60 degrees plus full inversion.
This system is managed by a tether strap that runs behind the backrest.
The preset angles are marked on this tether so you can quickly use those angles.
However, the tether allows any angle of inversion you desire.
In many ways, this allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The convenience of preset inversion angles plus adjustment to any angle you want.
Some tables only allow for preset positions, which can be uncomfortable as you adjust to inversion.
Like most people new to inversion, I tried to go to full inversion right away.
That was a big mistake.
You should gradually ease yourself into inversion by using no more than 20 degrees to begin.
Keep increasing the angle until you experience discomfort.
Most people without structural problems in their spine should eventually work their way to full inversion.
Ankle Support
The Teeter Fitspine X2 Inversion Table offers one of the best ankle support systems on the market.
It has ergonomically-designed ankle supports with good padding.
You can adjust the length between the ankle supports and the footrest.
The footrests are wide and padded, so you can use the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table in bare feet without pain or discomfort.
Also, the release handle is long enough that you don’t have to bend far to use it.
That’s an important feature for many people with back pain. Bending over can be a chore.
Overall, this system is well-designed to properly distribute weight around your lower legs.
There’s an ankle dial to help get the right width between the ankle supports and enough padding to reduce pressure on your shins.
Build Quality
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table is made from as high a quality of materials as you will find on an inversion table.
Not only is this inversion table built from sturdy materials, but also it includes auto-locking hinges, pivot bearings and heat-treated steel supports.
However, the solid build of the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table does have one downside: it’s heavier than most inversion tables at 69 lbs.
That can make it difficult to move if you have back problems.
Storage
The Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table folds to a relatively flat position.
Unlike some other inversion tables, the handles don’t stick out a considerable distance from the backrest.
Though it isn’t completely flat, you should be able to slide the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table under most beds without much trouble.
Of course, that’s assuming you don’t have any problems moving 69 lbs.
Assembly
One of the best features of the Teeter FitSpine X2 Inversion Table is that’s it’s easy to put together.
As mentioned above, the device comes 85% assembled.
Pretty much all you have to do is attach the backrest to the frame and install the ankle supports, and you’ve got the job done.
Almost anyone should be able to put this device together without much trouble. Plus, the process takes maybe 20 to 30 minutes.
That’s opposed to many inversion tables that will take an hour or more to build.
Warranty
The FitSpine X2 comes with a five-year warranty, which is longer than most other inversion tables.
You don’t have to worry about the thing breaking down, especially since Teeter is one of the most-established inversion table companies in the market.
What Others Think of the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table
As part of a relatively new product line, the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table has only 32 customer ratings on Amazon.
Even so, the ratings it does have are mostly positive. Overall, customer reviews average 4 1/2 stars, with 83% being 5-star ratings.
Review #1
Rosie said the Teeter FitSpine X2 Inversion Table is sturdy, heavy and well-made. Since she called herself a “big girl losing weight” she appreciated the security.
Review #2
Rex said the FitSpine X2 helped ease his aching back. After 3 back surgeries, he uses it twice per day to relieve pressure on his spine.
Review #3
Meanwhile, that guy appreciated how the FitSpine X2’s steady movement doesn’t jerk like other tables.
Alternatives to the Teeter FitSpine X2
The FitSpine X2 is far from the only inversion table.
I’ve included comparisons to three other popular competitors to give a flavor of what other products are available.
Innova Heavy Duty Inversion Table
If you’re looking for a sturdy, but much cheaper inversion table than the FitSpine X2, check out the Innova Heavy Duty Inversion Table.
Like it’s name, the Innova is very sturdy.
However, the backrest isn’t nearly as high-tech as the Teeter FitSpine X2.
The Innova uses a pin system with 6 pre-set inversion angles that it claims is safer than the strap system used by Teeter.
The Innova Heavy Duty Inversion Table is designed to fir users from 4’10” and 6’6″ who weight no more than 300 lbs.
Pros
- Adjustable headrest
- Well-packed backrest with lumbar support
Cons
- Inferior ankle locking system
- Backrest doesn’t include acupressure points and doesn’t flex
- Can’t adjust to any inversion angle
IRONMAN Gravity Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table
If you’re too big to use the Fitspine X2, then the Ironman Gravity Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table is a good alternative to consider.
This inversion table is another sturdy table that offers a backrest with 2.5 inch memory foam padding on its backrest.
Its biggest advantage over the FitSpine X2 are the extra-wide backrest and that it can support people that weight up to 350 lbs.
The Ironman Gravity Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table also offers and ankle support system that’s nearly as good as the FitSpine X2.
Pros
- Can support users up to 50lbs. heavier than the FitSpine X2
- Nice ankle locking system
- Can adjust to any inversion angle
Cons
- Backrest lacks the advanced features of the FitSpine X2
- Ankle supports not as adjustable
- Body fit not as secure as FitSpine X2
Health Gear ITM 5500 Advanced Technology Inversion Table
If you’d like heat massage along with your inversion, you can check out the Health Gear ITM5500.
If you really want thick padding between your back and the table, then this inversion table is the way to go.
This table boasts four inches of memory foam to go with a heat massage pad.
The Health Gear ITM5500 has thick steel supports and can adjust to four preset inversion positions (20/40/60/90).
It fits users between 5’1″ and 6’5″ who weigh 300 lbs. or less.
Pros
- Heat and massage pad on backrest
- Lot’s of padding
- Good ankle lock system
Cons
- Lacks the advanced features of the FitSpine X2 backrest
- Ankle lock system, while good, isn’t as comfortable or adjustable
- Body fit not as secure as FitSpine X2
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to temporarily relieve back problems as an alternative to depending on anti-inflammatories, the Teeter Fitspine x2 Inversion Table is a great option.
The FitSpine’s secure body fit features, durable design and accupressure-point stimulation backrest all help you avoid back surgery.
