How to Build Your Own Inversion Table
Inversion tables are a type of exercise equipment used to improve a person’s flexibility. Through a variety of different exercises, muscles are strengthened and the spine is elongated improving the body’s overall fitness level. These exercises place the body in an inverted position and use the force of gravity to align the body. Back and neck pain can be relieved and posture can be improved by using an inversion table. Although inversion tables can be purchased, making one at home allows more flexibility in the design process.
Build two triangle supports for the table out of one-inch rigid conduit. Bend the conduit with a tubing bender until each of the triangles has a base that is 36 inches and a height of 60 inches. Remove any extra tubing with a hacksaw. Attach the ends of each triangle with steel solder and a soldering tool.
Stand straight with the heels against the wall. Place a tape measure at the top of the head, measuring downward to the middle of the thigh. Write the measurement on a piece of paper. Place a tape measure around the hips to get the hip width. Add an additional three inches to this measurement before writing it on a piece of paper.
Build the backrest frame using one-inch conduit. Bend the conduit using a tube bender. The length of the frame should be the head to thigh measurement and the width should be the hip measurement. Remove any excess tubing with a hacksaw. Secure the ends of the frame, using a soldering tool and solder.
Place a piece of one and one-half inch steel tubing on the ground. Measure and cut the piece at 36 inches long using a hacksaw. The steel tube will be the main frame of the table. Measure and cut a piece of square steel tubing so that it is 16 inches long. This piece will serve as the footrest for the table.
Lay the mainframe piece on the ground. Place the footrest piece at one end, so it is laying perpendicular to the longer piece. Attach the two pieces together using a welding machine. Set the piece aside.
Place another piece of one and one-half inch steel tubing on the ground. Cut it so that it is the same width as the backrest frame. Place the piece of tubing, which will be the pivot hub for the table, at the end of the main frame and opposite the footrest. Weld it to this end, which will form an “H.”
Drill a hole at the top of each support piece, using a 3/8-inch drill bit. Measure and cut a 3/8-inch thread rod to 48 inches. Slip a nylon washer onto both ends of the rod. Insert the rod through the pivot hub rod on the main frame. Slide a 3/8-inch hex head nut onto each end of the threaded rod.
Slide one of the triangle bases onto each end of the threaded rod. Tighten the nut and washers with a hex wrench to secure the triangles to the rest of the main frame.
Place the backrest piece toward the top of the main frame. Attach it to the main frame and pivot hub, using a soldering tool and solder.
Measure and cut a piece of fabric for the backrest piece. Canvas fabric or another type of heavier fabric works best. The exact dimensions of the fabric will depend on the size of table. Add two to three inches to the width and length of the fabric, so that it can wrap completely around the frame. Sew the two sides together underneath the backrest, attaching the material securely to the inversion table. Secure a nylon strap to the backrest by looping it around the main frame two to three times. Buckle the strap on top of the backrest frame.
Tips
Talk to a doctor before starting any kind of inversion therapy. Place padding underneath the table to protect floors from scratching or damage. Only one person should use the inversion table at a time. It is not designed for two or more people.