If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best yoga swing for Inversion Therapy are, then I’d recommend the UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing Set as the best one.
If you’re like me and the majority of the U.S. population then you might be looking for something other than medication and expensive doctor bills to help with your back pain.
When it comes to investing in my health I always do a ton of research and this time I hit gold!
I found that inversion therapy using a yoga swing was a great way to reduce or relieve back pain.
I know how overwhelming it can be when you have so many choices. So, I want to help you choose the best yoga swing for your needs.
I’ve reviewed 5 of the best yoga swings that you can use for inversion therapy at home, at the gym, or even outdoors.
Here are the top yoga swings we’ll be reviewing:
- Yoga4You Aerial Yoga Swing Set
- UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing Set
- Aerial Yoga Trapeze Swing
- Intey Hammock Trapeze
- Yogabody Yoga Trapeze
What’s Inversion Therapy
Remember when you were a kid and you’d hang upside down on the monkey bars? That’s inversion therapy.
When you place your feet above your head you allow gravity to reverse the pressure on your spine.
This can be a real game-changer if you sit a lot. Sitting for more than an hour at a time, especially if you’re on a computer, can contribute to poor posture and ultimately back pain.
Inversion therapy helps you to stretch and decompress your spine by creating more space between the bones in your spinal column, also known as vertebrae.
According to the American College of Physicians, inversion therapy is a proven effective method of relieving back pain.
Benefits of a Yoga Swing
Yoga swings provide a multitude of benefits, especially when it comes to inversion therapy and pain relief in particular.
It can be used for:
- Inversion therapy
- Back pain relief
- Pain relief from sciatica, neck and hip pain
- Spinal decompression
- Better grip strength
- Increasing flexibility
- Improving upper body strength and core strength
- Body-weight traction (stretching) for your spine
- Increased feelings of well-being
How to Choose the Best Yoga Swing
With so many yoga swings available on the market, there are a few factors you may want to keep in mind when choosing the best yoga swing for your personal needs.
Comfort
Handle Comfort
It can get tiring and very uncomfortable to hold onto a small, hard or slippery handle.
So, you want to make sure that you’re able to focus on the actual movements rather than your discomfort by looking for handles that are adequately padded and big enough for your hands to fit comfortably.
The best yoga swing for someone trying inversion therapy for the first time should have large, thickly padded handles to support your grip and provide a secure feeling while suspended.
Swing Seat Size
It’s important to look for a swing seat that is sized appropriately for you. If the seat is too small, it may feel like you’re going to fall out of the swing.
You want a swing seat big enough to fit into comfortably and possibly even cocoon yourself in.
Type of Material
The best yoga swings are made from parachute material. But sometimes the fabric can be too slippery, too rough, or not have enough give.
Look for a soft, strong and durable material that will work well with the type of clothes you’ll be wearing.
For example, if the material is too slippery and you’re wearing spandex yoga pants that might be a recipe for disaster.
Ease of installation
Set-up Instructions
Although yoga swings usually come with set-up instructions, it can get confusing if you’ve never installed a hanging apparatus from anywhere before.
I like to check and see if the yoga swing comes with written instructions physically included with the product an online video tutorial or a digital document that will either need to be downloaded or emailed to you.
Location & Equipment
Another thing to look for is if the installation equipment is included.
Sometimes there will only be a couple of daisy chains that can loop around monkey bars, a strong tree branch or a pull-up bar in your doorway.
If you are planning to hang from the ceiling then you’ll need at least a couple of ceiling hooks, D-rings/carabiners and a hand drill.
You can also buy a support beam kit made specifically to secure yoga swings.
If installation equipment isn’t included, then you’ll have to consider that as an added expense.
The best yoga swing will allow you to feel safe in an adequate amount of space, so that is something to consider when deciding where and what type of installation you will want to use.
Maximum Weight Capacity
Yoga swings can hold about 300 pounds on average. However some of the yoga swings on the list below can hold up to 600 pounds.
Best Way to Use a Yoga Swing
There are a few things to consider when using a yoga swing: proper set-up, safety, and the type of activity you’ll be using it for.
Proper Setup
However you choose to install your yoga swing, you want to make sure that it’s secure.
While many yoga swings can be hung from a tree or looped over a pull-up bar in a high doorway you want to consider how much space you’ll need and the type of installation that will give you the most support.
One of the most secure ways to set-up your yoga swing is by using an exposed beam in your garage, on your porch or in your house, and drilling heavy-duty, supported ceiling hooks into it.
Safety
It is always a good idea to consult your health care provider before engaging in a new physical activity.
You may also want to use a yoga or tumbling mat under your yoga swing in case of an accidental fall.
Type of Activity
Yoga swings provide multiple options for at-home fitness, or you can take it to a park and exercise outdoors.
You can use a yoga swing for full body stretching, pain relief, strength training, yoga, inversion yoga poses and inversion therapy.
Precautions and Risks
If you have any of the conditions listed below then using a yoga swing for inversion therapy may not be a good idea. Please check with your physician before trying inversion therapy.
Inversion therapy is NOT recommended for people with:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- History of stroke
- Osteoporosis
- Hernia
- Broken bones or bone issues in hips/torso
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Conditions that affect the head: ear infections, pink eye, retinal detachment, glaucoma
Product Reviews
Yoga4You Aerial Yoga Swing Set
The Yoga4You Aerial Yoga Swing is made of high quality silk nylon fabric, similar to the kind you’d find on a yoga swing in an aerial yoga studio.
It’s strong, durable and can hold up to 600 pounds, which is great because you don’t have to worry about it ripping while you’re hanging upside down.
This product has a wide hammock swing (98” by 59”) and is made with a double material layer in the middle which is great for providing extra support for your body while you’re suspended in the air.
It’s also a good size for “cocooning” yourself in the hammock part, which some poses call for.
It also has padded, foam handles that are really helpful when you’re holding a pose for an extended period of time.
I really appreciate that feature because it helps to keep the focus on your body rather than your slipping grip or aching fingers.
Pros
- Includes digital guide in PDF format with basic ceiling mount hanging instructions and exercises for all fitness levels
- Basic installation equipment included: 2 50” hanging straps
- Great customer support, company responds quickly
- Comes with a carrier bag
- Affordable
Cons
- The installation instructions could be more clear
- Ceiling mount equipment not included
- There are only two color choices: black and coral
UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing Set
The UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing Set is Inversion trapeze made from high strength parachute fabric, and can hold up to 550 pounds.
Unlike many other brands, I really like that there are 6 vibrant, mildly shimmery colors to choose from so you’re less likely to be stuck with a color that you don’t like.
This product has a large swing seat which is fantastic because it can accomodate most anyone comfortably.
Another good feature is the large, thickly padded foam on the handles to prevent them from digging into your hands and feet.
One of my favorite features is the “Yoga Swing Guide” which is really helpful if you’ve never used a yoga swing.
The company also offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with their product.
Pros
- Large and thickly padded foam handles
- 6 different color options
- Triple-stitched swing seat
- Comes with travel bag
- 2 daisy chain extension straps to adjust swing height quickly/easily
- Includes 23 page PDF document, “Yoga Swing Guide Perfect for Beginners”
- Affordable
Cons
- Installation instructions not included as hard-copy, must go online
- Must purchase mounting hardware separately
Aerial Yoga Trapeze Swing
The Aerial Yoga Trapeze Swing is made from 210T parachute silk nylon. This fabric is great because it’s not only strong due to being made from extra strength material, but it’s also soft and breathable!
The versatility of this yoga trapeze swing is advantageous in that you can use it without the handles and just hang it as a hammock.
This is a great feature if you also like to go camping or if you’re like me and just love to take naps in a great hammock.
The hardware for doing a ceiling mount installation is included. I really appreciate this feature because you don’t have to make a separate purchase.
I didn’t like that the seat of this hammock is on the smaller side. However, if you aren’t planning to do any cocooning poses then this may not be an issue for you.
Overall it’s a well-made option that’s great for inversion therapy.
Pros
- Supports up to 550 pounds
- One of the least expensive, quality options
- Quick responses from customer support
- Extra wide handles
- Ceiling mounting hardware is included
- Can be used as a hammock
Cons
- Only available in 2 colors: turquoise and amethyst
- Installation tutorial not included
Intey Hammock Trapeze
The Intey Hammock Trapeze is made from durable, high quality parachute material (polyester taffeta).
This fabric isn’t as soft as other yoga swings, and can make it harder to smoothly transition during inversions and other poses.
As the name states, it also doubles as an actual hammock which can be a great addition on outdoor adventures.
This product can hold up to 450 pounds, and should only be used by one person at a time.
One of the best features of this product is that it includes 2 ceiling anchors, 4 expansion screws for concrete installation, and 4 self tapping screws if you want to mount it into a wood beam.
This is great because it makes it convenient to install it on a support beam in a variety of places like your garage, on your porch, or in your basement.
Many yoga swings only come with daisy chains that can limit your installation options.
Unfortunately this product does not come with installation instructions, but there are tons of YouTube video tutorials online to help you out.
Pros
- Ceiling mount equipment included
- Large, thickly padded foam handles
- Triple stitched swing seat
- 24 months of buyer assurance, and lifetime support
- Very affordable (most affordable option on the list)
Cons
- Professional installation is recommended if using ceiling mounts
- No set-up instructions
- Rough fabric with very little stretch
- Blue is the only color option
Yogabody Yoga Trapeze
If you’re looking for a professional quality yoga trapeze, then this is your best bet. It’s the same one used in Yogabody studios all over the world.
The Yogabody Yoga Trapeze is made from parachute material fabric and can hold up to 600 pounds.
This product has a YouTube set-up tutorial, which is great if you’ve never mounted a yoga swing.
It includes instructions for installation on an exposed beam, in a tree, or using a trapeze door mount bar.
However, if you are planning to mount this yoga swing from the ceiling you will have to purchase ceiling mounts separately.
Another great feature is the instructional aerial yoga DVD that’s included. This is great for beginners who aren’t sure where to start and need some inspiration for new movements to try.
Pros
- YouTube video set-up tutorial
- Same as yoga trapezes used in Yogabody studios
- Gym-grade grip rubber handles
- Instructional aerial yoga DVD included
- 10 year part-replacement guarantee if any mechanical issues with equipment
Cons
- Only comes in the color purple
- No installation equipment included
- Expensive
And the Winner Is…
Our number one pick for the best yoga swing is the UpCircleSeven Aerial Yoga Swing Set because it meets all of the main criteria mentioned above: comfort features, ease of installation, and set-up instructions.
It’s well-made with strong and comfortable fabric to help you feel safe and secure while practicing inversions.
Unlike other yoga swings that can have small handles that are hard to grip, this product is outfitted with thick foam-padded handles that are large and will prevent your hands and feet from suffering.
While this particular product does not come with ceiling mount equipment, it does have 2 daisy chain extension straps which are awesome for being able to adjust the height of the yoga swing quickly and easily.
Daisy chain straps also allow you to change location easily since you just have to loop the straps around a secure beam or bar rather than using a drill and actually manually installing equipment.
UpCircleSeven also offers a 30 day money back guarantee in case you aren’t happy with your purchase, which is great if you don’t necessarily want to commit to something you’re not sure about.
Please remember to stay safe by making sure that the yoga swing is set-up correctly and in an area with enough space for you to practice inversion therapy comfortably.
Regardless of which product you choose, there are a variety of high quality options out there to suit everyone’s individual needs.