Fitness Reality 790XLT Inversion Table

I really hope you are as pumped as I am to review the Fitness Reality 790XLT Inversion Table. What I really want to do is give you all the information you need to decide if you should spend your hard earned money on this inversion table. If you are looking for an inversion table to help with lower back pain, keep reading.

Inversion therapy is an alternative method to treating back pain, as opposed to pills or even, worst case scenario, surgery.  I have been using inversion tables over the years to battle chronic sciatica.  If you have back problems, whether it’s tight muscles from sitting too much, or a herniated disc (among other conditions), check with your doctor and see if an inversion table will work for you.

As I said, I have been using inversion tables for years, and I would like to pass along in this review, some of the components that I believe are crucial to look at when you are considering buying an inversion table. There are a lot of options when it comes to inversion tables, and there are a lot of similarities to between models, but each one seems to have its own nuances.

So, with that, let’s check this baby out and see what it has to offer.

Product: Fitness Reality 790XLT Inversion Table
Rating: 90 out of 100
Company: Fitness Reality
Dimensions: 49 inches D x 32 inches W x 57 inches H
Product weight: About 57 pounds
User height: 4’10 to 6’6”
User weight limit: 300 pounds

Features of the Fitness Reality 790XLT

For starters on this inversion table, the backrest is really wide so it will accommodate a lot of different body types.  The backrest is about one inch thick and which is comfortable enough for inverting.  The removable lumbar support is a great added feature, and if you don’t’ want it, you can take it off.  Some people like to have a lumbar cushion when they are inverting.

Locking system for your ankles

With any inversion table, one thing pay close attention to is the ankle locking system.  This is the mechanism that supports your body weight as you are inverting, or possibly hanging completely upside down.  You really want to have confidence in this part of the table.  This is typically made up of the ankle cushions, the release handle, and the footrest.

This particular model uses U-shaped cups for the ankle cushions, and these fit the front and back of your lower leg to hold you firmly in place.  You can pivot the cups to get just the right individualized fit.

The release handle is what you use to lock the ankle pads in place, and also to release you from the table when you are finished inverting.  I strongly recommend an inversion table with an extended, or extra-long handle and here is why.

When you are using an inversion table to recover from an injury, or you just have back pain, bending over is not always an easy task.  I have been in situations with a herniated disc where I literally couldn’t bend over to put my shoes and socks on. You don’t want to have to reach any farther than necessary to get in or out of the table.

That said, this model has an extended handle which will require less bending over to lock in or release from the table.

The footrest on this model is not adjustable but is made to fit a wide variety of users. An adjustable height footrest is nice, but not necessary.

Setting the user height

This is a pretty standard procedure with inversion tables.  The height selector tube has markings on it, and you choose the appropriate height for you.  Now, it’s not always that simple.  Everyone has a different, or unique center of gravity, so you have to adjust the user height to compensate for this.

To use the inversion table, you should be able to rotate in and out of inversion by moving your arms overhead and back to your midsection.  If you are not able to do this, then you will need to adjust the user height.

In case you are not able to return upright using your arms, use the foam covered handrails to help you.  Again, this is not something you should have to do, but these handrails are there if you need to use them.

Setting the inversion angle

It is recommended to start at a shallow angle, like 15-20 degrees and work your way up from there, especially if you are new to inverting.  This model uses a tether strap to control the angle of inversion.  The great thing about the strap, is that you can literally set the angle any way you want.  This allows for very small incremental increases if you need to.

When I was recovering from a back injury in 2015, I made slow but steady progress with my inversion table.  I would change the angle, using the tether strap, ever so slightly.  I was not able to make substantial increases at once, so the strap worked really well for me.

Other tables use preset angles, which are fool-proof but offer less customization.

Assembly

Yep, you guessed it, some assembly required.  It is always best to follow the directions and employ a helper if possible.  Inversion table parts are awkward and cumbersome, so having someone available to help is such a bonus.

You can pay for assembly if you choose to do so. But if you have some tools and a bit of know-how, you can do this yourself.

Storage

Yes, the inversion table folds up.  Yes, they say it is storable.  No, it is not easy to store an inversion table.  Here is my reasoning.

Remember in the previous section where I said inversion table parts are heavy and awkward?  Well, when the table is fully assembled, it’s more cumbersome and more awkward.  If you are using an inversion table to recover from a back injury, moving a heavy, cumbersome object is not easy.

I recommend setting up in a room, like a basement or an office, where you can fold the table up and lean it against the wall.  I used to put mine under the bed, which requires taking the backrest off, and lifting up one side of the bed to get it underneath.  Then you have to lift up the bed and put the table together again to use it.  Not fun, even if you are not injured.

Pros:

• Wide backrest
• Tether strap for customizable inversion angle
• Budget-friendly model
• Removable lumbar support
• Extra-long ankle release handle

Cons:

• The footrest is not adjustable
• The backrest is not as thick as some other models.

Conclusion: Fitness Reality 790XLT Inversion Table

Well, that about covers it.  This inversion table is a pretty good entry level table, with a wide backrest.  I think this table will get the job done for most people.

I love the extended length ankle release handle and the tether strap for customized inversion angles.  A thicker backrest with additional padding would be nice, but not a necessity at this level.

You can certainly spend more money on an inversion table with more features, but I think this one is a solid value.  If you are considering this table or would like to read more information, please do so below.