Inversion table for short people

Minimum and maximum height by model

Table	Listed height range	Listed weight limit
Teeter FitSpine X3	4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Teeter FitSpine LX9	4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Teeter FitSpine X1	4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Teeter EP-560	4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Innova ITX9600	4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Innova ITX9800	4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 6 in	300 lb
Innova ITX1200	4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 6 in	350 lb

All figures are from the makers' own product pages. Teeter's EP-560 page also quotes a user weight range of 89 to 300 lb. Teeter's answer to a shopper on the LX9 page says every Teeter inversion table has the same 300 lb limit and 4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 6 in height range. If you are over 6 ft 6 in, the opposite problem applies: see tables for tall people.

The difference between the two brands is two inches. Teeter's range is the wider one for a short adult.

Why a minimum height exists

Neither maker's page gives a reason for its minimum, so what follows is our reading of what they do say, not a maker statement.

• The balance point. Innova says each person has a personal center of gravity that varies with height and weight distribution, and that its height adjustment tube and headrest exist to find it. The table rotates smoothly only when that point sits in the right place relative to the pivot.
• A finite height setting. The height setting is a main shaft that slides in set steps. Teeter's manual starts you one inch above your actual height. A shorter body needs a shorter setting, and a table has only so many.
• The ankle system. Teeter's manual says to set the ankle cups to fit snugly around the smallest part of the ankle and to test the lock every time. Neither maker says how ankle fit changes at very short heights, so ask.

Treat the listed minimum as a limit, not a suggestion.

How to set the height correctly

Short users sit near the end of the adjustment range, so this step matters more.

1. Start where the manual says. Teeter's manual: slide the main shaft until the last setting you can read is one inch greater than your height. At 5 ft 0 in, the last visible number is 5 ft 1 in.
2. Expect your setting to differ. Teeter says your ideal setting depends on weight distribution and could vary several inches either side of your height. Innova says your height setting may or may not be your actual height.
3. Test with a spotter. In Teeter's test, a correct setting lets the table rotate only slightly. If it rotates a long way, lengthen the shaft one hole; if not at all, shorten it one hole. The assembly guide has the steps. Teeter's support answer to one EP-560 owner whose table would not rotate back far enough was to shorten the main shaft by one to two inches and check the roller hinges.
4. Check the ankle lock. The cups should sit close against the smallest part of your ankle, every session.

If you are under the range

Do not improvise. Padding the ankles, building up the bed or using a table outside its listed range goes beyond what the maker tested.

• Call or message the maker. Teeter's EP-560 page lists a support phone line. Ask the maker, and get the shortest supported height in writing.
• Check how to choose an inversion table for what else to compare.
• Ask your doctor whether inversion makes sense for you at all.

Common questions

What is the best inversion table for short people? Of the tables we verified, the Teeter FitSpine X3, LX9, X1 and EP-560 go lowest, at 4 ft 8 in. We have not tested any of them. Pick on the other specs, such as ankle system and warranty, and see how to choose.

Are there inversion tables for short adults under 4 ft 8 in? We found none from a maker whose page we could read. Some sellers may claim lower. Ask for it in writing from the maker.

What size inversion table do I need if I am 5 ft tall? Both brands cover 5 ft. Start the height setting one inch above your height and adjust from there.

Can a short person use an inversion table? Yes, within the listed range, subject to your doctor's advice.

Where to go next

Compare the models above on the Teeter brand page and the Innova brand page, and see best inversion tables. For weight limits, see inversion table weight limits.