Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)*Update to review at bottom*
Let me start by saying that this is a product review, not a review of inversion therapy. I'm disappointed so many people gave inversion tables 5 stars when they were rating inversion therapy rather than the inversion table. I would advise anyone to read these reviews carefully. I would rate inversion therapy as a 5 - do it yourself traction is great for your back. It can help older people with compressed disks to find pain relief and help younger people from developing such problems as quickly. For more advanced degenerative spinal disease you should definitely seek medical advice before purchasing such a system.
OK that said, I just received an Ironman ATIS 4000 Inversion Table and put it together last night, which took about an hour and a half. It would have taken less time if I didn't have two little helpers constantly in my way. The only part missing was a metal washer, which (being a guy) only took a trip to the garage to address. Still, it's very disappointing when assembly hardware is missing. Assembly instructions were clear, all tools were included and it was easy to assemble, but there are no usage instructions. I hung upside down (180 degree inversion) after assembly like you're not supposed to do, had the blood rush to my head, got immediately congested, and had a subluxated vertebra in my lower back slowly and painfully slide itself into proper spinal alignment. Ah, I haven't felt this good in weeks! The table is very heavy duty, and I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the back board. It is of the minimum base quality I would expect to see in a gym - not the highest quality, but still very solid and able to last a lifetime of home use.
There are a number of problems, however. First, The Amazon ad for this model states the product includes "a removable lumbar support pillow for additional lower back support" - there is no such lumbar support - the sloppy description is incorrect. Not a huge issue, but I disdain false advertising. Second, when fully inverted and hanging completely by the ankles, your feet/ankles will be uncomfortable. The very well-padded ankle straps are not completely pain-free, as the moulding-line cuts into the top of your feet. Given the pain in my back, a little momentary discomfort in the ankles is a very small price to pay, but if you're considering purchasing an inversion table know it exists if you're not pain tolerant (probably regardless of brand/model). Third, and most importantly, the table does not lock. It is advertised as having "10 different inversion locking angles", but the locking mechanism is cheap, it sticks, works sometimes and not others, and I refuse to ever use it again. Ironman, whoever designed your locking system should be fired. I locked myself in at about 160 degrees from vertical and then the mechanism stuck. If I freed my feet I would slide off the table, head hitting the metal stand. Fortunately after much jiggling I got the mechanism unstuck. I am certainly not an expert on inversion traction but I would think being stuck inverted for a long span of time could be potentially dangerous. This completely undermines the units ability to be used for inverted sit-ups where locking is a necessity. You can only use it to hang upside down on, and have to haul yourself up by the handles (weight shifts when you hang by your ankles and your weight is no longer balanced, but shifts towards your head). Note that some of the other Ironman inversion tables have this same faulty locking mechanism design - and this is supposed to be their best design!
This table comes under the category of great idea, very well made otherwise, but a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and the "Smart Gear System" is a complete piece of garbage. I'm going to look at the locking mechanism more this evening; if it is not something I can fix myself, I will return the unit. This is one reason I buy from Amazon - they pay for return shipping when they sell faulty equipment like the Ironman ATIS 4000 Inversion Table. If I spend $300 on a piece of equipment and it is not what is advertised and arrives broken, I should not have to pay to return junk.
**UPDATE**
I have decided to keep the table. The locking mechanism is completely broken, but it's in the unlocked state, so I can invert without any issue. I am unable to do inverted sit-ups, but oh well. It is not worth my time & effort to disassemble and repack this monstrosity for shipment. It does work well for inversion therapy, which is the main reason I purchased it. So yes, I'm keeping it, but if I knew this is what I would get for $300 I would have bought from another more reputable manufacturer.
I strongly advise looking for a better manufacturer than Ironman. I noticed on negative reviews, there is always one "not helpful" vote on the review - from the seller or manufacturer of the item, who is notified of any reviews of their products. Regardless of your final purchasing decision, no one could honestly consider this review not helpful in making a decision as to whether or not to purchase this item. I challenge anyone who feels this review is not helpful to COMMENT ON IT and specify what information is inaccurate or lacking, and I will gladly correct that oversight. The only thing unhelpful about this review is that it's unhelpful to Ironman in gaining additional sales of an inferior product. Sorry, Ironman, people will still read this regardless of your ploy to bury the comment.
**2ND UPDATE**
Inverted sit-ups without the lock are possible, but you do experience some swing as your center of gravity shifts relative to the unlocked table's pivot point. Inverted crunches do not have as much sway. You have to go slow, but it's achievable.
**3RD UPDATE**
This unit is now sitting in my garage. Wish I would have put the money towards a camera lens instead.
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Whether you want to reduce back stress or fatigue, stimulate your blood circulation, or work your abs, the Ironman ATIS 4000 inversion table makes a great household accessory. The inversion table contributes to your body's overall health by optimizing lumbar traction, thereby relieving pressure on your vertebrae discs and ligaments. And when your back starts to relax, the rest of your body follows. The table can also help with such areas as increasing body flexibility for improved athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging due to gravity, and relieving lower backaches due to sitting or standing.
However, the ATIS 4000 differs from other inversion tables in a couple of crucial ways. First, by virtue of its ab and core training system, the table isolates the abdominals far more effectively than bench training, letting you build and strengthen your abs daily with just a few minutes of work. And second, the table offers 10 different inversion locking angles, letting you find the perfect position for your body type and symptoms.
The ATIS 4000 is outfitted with an extra-wide oval tubing steel frame and a heavy 2-1/2-inch nylon backrest, with 1 inch of memory foam and an extended head rest combining to provide an ultra-comfortable platform. More importantly, the inversion system is a breeze to use: once you rest your body against the nylon backrest and slip your feet into the ergonomically molded ankle cushions, simply reach your arms over your head. As your arms go up, your body gradually inverts to the preset angle. The only inputs are your energy and gravity itself.
Users will also appreciate the inverted hand grips, which guarantee a full stretch while inverted, and the extra-long safety handles, which provide an easy return to an upright position. Other details include a height-adjustable frame up to 6 feet 6 inches; support for up to 320 pounds; an extra-large foot platform for easy on and off; a scratch-resistant powder-coated finish; a removable lumbar support pillow for additional lower back support; and a side holder for cell phones, eyeglasses, wallets, coins, watches, and other small items. The ATIS 4000 measures 35 by 62 by 58 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 111 pounds.
About Ironman Fitness Engineered for endurance, strength, speed, stamina, and performance, Ironman Fitness is continually striving to define the fitness industry. Their collection features top-of-the-line treadmills, stationary cycles, elliptical trainers, weight benches, and single- and multi-station exercise machines. The features on Ironman's fitness equipment introduced over the years have become the standards of today. With superior components, multiple patents, and award-winning products, Ironman's fitness products have consistently exceeded the expectation of customers and are the heart of a true champion.
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