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With over 1200 reviews on Amazon alone, the Body Champ IT8070 Inversion Therapy Table isn’t just affordable, it’s also incredibly popular.
But if we put these reviews to one side and look at the build quality and features, is it really the top inversion table under $150?
That’s what we’re going to find out, through an in-depth look at the design and safety features, assembly process, and cushioning. We’ll also be making a direct comparison with the Body Max IT6000, which has over 700 reviews of its own.
Design and Safety Features
Before we take a closer look at any features, it’s worth bearing in mind the 250 lb weight capacity. While this may sound impressive, it’s actually towards the lower end of the scale out of the inversion tables we’ve reviewed.
The frame itself is durable steel just like with the Ironman and Teeter models, but with differences in the shape, thickness, and structure that result in a slightly lower weight capacity.
To put this in perspective, the Exerpeutic Stretch 300 is usually available for a slightly lower price but with a 300 lb capacity. However, you’re also looking at the same capacity for one of Ironman’s top inversion tables – their ATIS 4000 – which costs closer to $350.
In terms of the inversion range, the adjustable boom and back support will rotate to the full 90-degrees beyond the horizontal. If you’re new to inversion therapy you probably don’t want to start with this right away, but it’s good to know the range is available.
Unfortunately the price range that the Body Champ IT8070 sits in isn’t quite high enough to see the extended handle on the ankle holders. This means you’ll be using a spring-loaded pull pin for ankle holder adjustment, which may be an issue if you’re looking to minimise bending down or putting any strain on your lower back.
If you would like an inversion table with the extended grip feature, you’ll usually be looking at closer to $200. We would recommend starting your research by looking at either the 3000 or 4000 model in the Ironman Gravity collection.
One thing we recommend is not to take the height settings as an exact match to your height. Try a setting either side to see which of the options allows you to invert at a controlled rate using the change in weight distribution as you raise your arms above your head.
Unfortunately there aren’t any stretch handles built into the base, and without a locking system like the Ironman LXT850, you may need to rest your hands on the ground to maintain the 180-degree inversion.
This also means that you can’t integrate the Body Champ IT8070 into any ab workouts.
Safety Features
For an entry level inversion table, we were impressed with the range of features designed to keep you safe during inversion without the need for a spotter.
For tables at this price point we’re used to seeing the safety strap that joins from the underside of the bed to the front U-Frame.
What’s good about this is that you have a wide range of angles to choose from. The downside is that you usually have to step off the table and go through a process of trial and error trying to find the position you want.
The Body Champ IT8070 has a solution to this problem, whereby they also include a safety bar and two possible positions to set it at. This way you have all the versatility of the strap, but the speed of selecting a preset angle if you need to.
Although they’re not quite the length of the bars you’ll find on the Exerpeutic Stretch 300 or Ironman LX300 tables, the IT8070 also comes fitted with U-shaped hand rails, which have been coated to improve your grip.
From the steeper inversion angles, this makes it much easier to return to an upright position.
One final safety feature worth mentioning as actually for when you’re off the table. A handful of inversion tables (ATIS 4000, Ironman LXT850, etc.) are fitted with a safety pin for securing the adjustable boom to the front U-frame.
The Body Champ IT8070 also has this feature, which not only makes it easier to move the table once it’s folded, but also prevents against unintentional use in family environments where young children may be present.
Body Champ IT8070 – Features Summary
- Inversion therapy table for elongating spine and relaxing back muscles
- Pull-pin adjustment system
- Lower spring-loaded pull-pin for ankle adjustment
- Four foam rollers help to cushion your ankles
- High-density foam cushion for comfort
- U-shaped handrails for added security
- Safety strap allows you to control inverting angles
- Safety lock keeps the table in place when not in use
- Folds for easy storage
Ease of Assembly and Transport Options
With the exception of the back support shape and cushioning, you may have already noticed the Body Champ IT8070 is almost identical to the Body Max IT6000.
This is also true of the assembly process, with the instructions walking you through the same steps and using the same parts but with different references.
The hardware required for each step is also included, together with a series of detailed exploded drawings to explain some of the more complex stages.
Much of the frame assembly has already been completed prior to being packaged, which will certainly save you some time. But you’re still going to need around 60 minutes to get all the parts together and find the height setting that best suits your height and body type.
Also, the inversion angle of the Body Champ IT8070 is controlled via a safety tether strap instead of preset positions (see Ironman LXT850). These 60 minutes also take into account setting and testing the safety strap.
Click here to view the Body Champ IT8070 user manual
Folding and Transport Options
Folding the Body Champ IT8070 is about as simple as it gets for an inversion table. With the protective side covers removed, you can collapse the cross support brackets and pull the two sections of the A-Frame together to reduce the size of the footprint.
This is slightly more effort than with tables that are locked in place with a pin (Exerpeutic Stretch 300), but we’re only talking a matter of seconds difference.
Weighing in at just over 40 lbs makes it considerably lighter than models like the ATIS 4000 (111 lbs), and easier to move between locations if needed.
There’s no transport wheels like you would get on a recumbent bike or folding treadmill, but with the locking pin holding the boom in place and providing you hold the two sides of the A-Frame securely, there shouldn’t be any problems.
Customer Reviews
With the Body Champ IT8070 joining a competitive price range of $100 to $150, it’s important to weigh up all the pros and cons, as well as the differences between this and other tables.
Our own review has already compared the IT8070 the later IT9070 model, as well as one of the bestselling designs from Ironman. But we also wanted to take a closer look at other peoples experiences to form a more balanced assessment.
But unless you have a significant amount of free time, it’s probably not practical for you to read through all 1200+ reviews on Amazon before making your decision.
That’s why we put together the following lists of pros and cons after reading through the majority of these reviews ourselves. If you would still like the option to read the feedback yourself, you can find the full collection here.
Pros
- Sturdy frame design
- Cost effective way to relieve pressure on pinched or compressed spinal nerves and disks
- Excellent stability
- Assembly instructions are well written and easy to follow
- Easy to use safety clip and tether cord restrict the inversion to angles you’re comfortable with
- Frame is much lighter than models like the ATIS 4000, making it easier to move around
- Wide range of easily adjustable height settings
- Safety handles offer complete control over inversion speed
- Lower priced alternative to Chiropractor
- Coated frame and back support cover improve durability
Cons
- Some customers reported discomfort from the foam ankle holders when fully inverted, although in most cases this was fixed by wearing a more comfortable pair of shoes
- 250 lb weight capacity isn’t as high as some lower priced models, like the Exerpeutic Stretch 300
- Some reviewers experienced temporary discomfort in their knees during longer inversion sessions at steeper angles. This tends to be a possibility with any inversion table, and was always reported as temporary while they actually used the table.
- Ankle holders use a pull-pin adjustment system with a short handle, placing more strain on the lower back from bending down compared to models like the Gravity 4000
What’s Covered by the Warranty?
- Frame: 1 year
- Parts: 90 days
Review Overview
When you consider the height range that this table supports, it's a little surprising the weight capacity isn't closer to 300 lbs like several similar models in the same price range.
That being said, the range of safety features really is the best you're going to get unless you prepared to double your budget. The option to switch between the fixed positions provided by the rail and the steeper angles of the tether strap manages to cater for people of all experience levels.
However, you don't have the same thick rubber corner feet like you do on the Ironman Gravity tables, or the 4-point pod system that's iconic of Teeter, meaning you may benefit from placing the table on a non-slip exercise mat before use. They're relatively inexpensive to buy, but should give you extra peace of mind when your rotating through the positions.
Overall we can see why the Body Champ IT8070 is such a popular inversion table, due to its low price point, reliability, solid frame design, and extensive inversion range. If you're looking for accessory options or a table you can use for your ab workouts, this isn't for you. Otherwise it's an excellent table that we would certainly recommend.
Product dimensions: 77" (L) x 29" (W) x 2" (H)
Folded dimensions: 70" (L) x 28" (W) x 18" (H)
Product weight: 41 lbs
Weight capacity: 250 lbs
Height range: 4'7" to 6'5"
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