In this review of the Ironman Gravity 4000 inversion table, I share my findings & go over its key features after product-testing it at a local fitness store.
A heavy-duty cheap inversion table
The Ironman Gravity 4000 is a quality-built inversion table without any add-on bells & whistles. If you don’t want to pay for one of the more expensive models, consider taking a look at this solid option.
As Iive touched on in other articles, a chronic hurting back can steal your sunshine and rob you of your ability to even do simple things free from pain.
If you’d like to try & avoid invasive surgery or a regimen of pain meds & steroids, then spinal traction might be worth a shot.
An inversion table lets someone perform a lite version of this therapy on themselves.
Science resources included
As is my custom here on heydayDo, I will provide links to all of the relevant sports science & medical resources, clinical studies, and nutritional data used in this article.
Ironman Gravity 4000 Inversion Table
Solid – This Ironman inversion table is sturdy & well-built. It has a steel frame that can support up to 350 lb., which is 50-100 lb. more than most inversion tables. It has a stable feeling when in use.
User friendly – A thoughtful, functional design puts user controls ergonomically within easy reach. All of the adjustable components are easy to use.
Great value – The Ironman Gravity 4000 is affordably priced for a quality unit.
Full inverting – It has full 90 degree inversion capability, if you want to relive your inner jungle gym.
Smooth assembly – The Ironman 4000 is fairly easy (not quick, but easy) to assemble due to a decent owner’s manual and its simplicity in design.
High owner satisfaction rating. 95% of owners gave it 4 or 5-star reviews, and 80% of them rated the Ironman 4000 excellent.
Shipping free on Amazon
Features of the Ironman 4000
The Ironman Gravity 4000 got my vote for the Best Affordable Inversion Table. It’s a quality unit that’s built sturdy & stable and is easy to use.
It has very few “complain-able” aspects to its design, and zero dealbreakers for me. If you’re in the market for an inexpensive inversion table, you could do a lot worse than this Ironman 4000 for sure.
With its stripped-down approach, Ironman is able to sell this inversion table for about half the price of the high-end models.
It comes with a 1-year warranty on the structural frame, and a helpful Owner’s Manual.
Potential issues for some:
*It’s heavy, nearly 80 lb…sturdiness comes at the cost of it not being a breeze to move around.
*The ankle support system was not comfortable for a few users.
*While it can adjust to a fully inverted position and several positions in between, it doesn’t have pinpoint degree presets like some of the more expensive models (not that you need them to benefit).
Ironman 4000 Inversion Table in depth
Here’s a deeper look at the design & materials found in the Ironman 4000 inversion table.
Built Solid
*An extra-wide, powder-coated steel tubular frame for high-capacity weight support up to 350 lb.
*Tough, rubber non-skid floor stabilizers prevent movement during inversion, which promotes a secure & safe feeling
*All adjustment mechanisms made of metal, with plastic for end caps & covers
Smart Design
*Foam covered extra-long safety handles help return the user to an upright position after finishing inversion
*Inverts up to 90 degrees “so the expert user can get full benefits of inversion therapy”, per Ironman
*Employs a patented, unique, palm-activated gear release ratchet system for easy & safe ankle-locking adjustments. No back bending or pulling required
*3 starting angle adjustments
*There’s a safety tether strap that controls max inversion angle
*Height adjustment controlled via a pin (4’9” – 6’6”)
*Features safety vinyl side covers to prevent pinching during use
User Comforts
*Has a 2” memory foam water resistant backrest with vinyl covering & double stitching “that promotes years of comfortable use”
*Comfortable removable lumbar pillow to support lower back if needed
*Comfortable ankle holders prevent pinch point discomfort
Ironman 4000 Size
The Ironman 4000 ships at 49”x 26”x 65”, but depending on your height it expands to 78” high (6’ 6”). I said it before, but as a reminder: Make sure you have enough space, especially the headroom – at least 7 feet minimum is recommended.
Ironman 4000 Weight:
76 lbs.
Benefits of the Ironman 4000
What the Ironman inversion table says about itself
The makers of the Ironman Gravity 4000 – Paradigm Health & Wellness – tout the following benefits for this inversion table of theirs in that Youtube video I posted above:
* “an easy way to achieve disc decompression”
*“reduce stress through inversion therapy”
*“ironman athletes use inversion tables to increase strength, stamina, & endurance, and an overall feeling of well-being before & after their races”
*“it can realign your spine, reduce nerve pressure, and relaxes your muscles by simply using the Earth’s gravity”
While this is obviously a manufacturer tooting its own horn, there are a ton of Ironman 4000 users saying the same thing online.
Ironman 4000 reviews from owners
There are thousands of owner reviews across the internet for the Ironman and the results are very positive. I pegged the owner satisfaction rating at around 95%. (This is the percent of 4&5-star reviews that have no glaring complaints, out of all the internet reviews I gathered.)
A sample:
“I haven’t had the need for chiropractor visits and this table has already paid for itself considering my $50 co-pay”
“Two or three weeks of regular use and I stopped using the NSAIDS”
“8 months of agony GONE in one week”
“…this table has paid for itself quickly in terms of relief”
“I just felt so much relief and improvement in my condition”
And so on. Many of the reviewers who had been using the Ironman 4000 for some time cautioned the new recruits:
1) to take their time to assemble the unit properly
2) to be careful not to try and do too much too fast or stay on it too long, &
3) that being consistent with short sessions a couple of times a day is much more effective than one long session every so often.
Inversion benefits that science research has shown
I tracked down a few clinical studies where inversion therapy provided significant benefit to the groups receiving the treatment.
In this year-long research study done at Volvo’s aerospace factory in Sweden, over 100 employees with back pain-related absenteeism participated. Doctors noted that the group receiving the inversion treatment experienced a substantial reduction of pain compared to the control group (who only received traditional physical therapy).
They also took a week and a half less sick days (per person on average) the following year.
And here, approximately 50 women diagnosed with chronic low back pain received 9 minutes of inversion therapy a week for 8 weeks. At the conclusion of the 2-month study, research scientists stated that the patients’ pain level “was significantly improved”.
Last but not least, an inversion therapy study using patients scheduled for spinal surgery in England caused over 3/4 (77%) of them to no longer need the surgery, since their pain had been drastically reduced.
Alternatives to the Ironman 4000
If you’re interested in looking at other highly-rated inversion tables, I wrote this Best Inversion Table article.
There are a few other cheap inversion table models of decent quality that are within the price range of the Ironman Gravity 4000. I checked out a couple in case you’d like to compare.
EXERPEUTIC 225 SL Inversion Table
Exerpeutic products are made by Paradigm Health & Wellness (the same parent manufacturer as the Ironman 4000).
The add-on Airsoft ankle holders are well-liked by 225 SL owners, who noted the extra comfort. They bring the cost to about the same as the Ironman 4000, a little less.
Note that the user weight limit on this unit is 250 lb. vs. the 350 lb. max capacity on the Ironman.
It’s not as heavy-duty as the Ironman since it’s weight limit is 100 lb. less. But the flip side is as a result, the Exerpeutic 225SL weighs 10 lb. less itself.
4 & 5-star owner satisfaction rating: 95%
Innova ITM5900 Inversion Therapy Table
Another affordable inversion table around the same price is this model from Innova, the ITM5900.
It comes with a detachable heat & massage pad that is generally well-received. Some loved it, some thought it wasn’t worth paying extra for – since the ITM5900 is kind of similar to Innova’s budget entry, the ITX 9600 I reviewed here.
The only significant differences between this ITM5900 and the cheaper ITX9600 are that this model has the removable heat/massage pad and has a longer handle for the ankle lock. This makes it a little easier to reach.
A consistent owner comment was that it was easy to assemble.
4 & 5-star owner satisfaction rating: 91%
Wrapping Up
Related articles on heydayDo
My Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table Review
My Innova IXT9600 Inversion Table Review
All About The Amazing Low-Impact HIIT Workout
My Best Exercise Bike For Seniors Review: 6 Nice Choices
Exercises For Flabby Arms Over 60 (Or Any Age)
Relief from nagging back pain, sciatica, or soreness following sports or fitness activities might be found through inversion table therapy.
The Ironman Gravity 4000 inversion table provides the essential inversion table experience at an affordable price. It’s well-made, easy to use, and boasts high owner satisfaction.
I wish you well on your fitness journey.
– greg
