Innova Fitness ITX9600 Inversion Table Review

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The Innova Fitness ITX9600 Deluxe Inversion Table is the upgraded version of the ITX9300, with improved cushioning and higher weight capacity.

In this review we take a closer look at the frame design, safety features, cushioning, and customer reviews, as well as making some important comparisons between other inversion therapy tables in the Innova Fitness collection.

Design and safety features

Two of the most important pieces of information in the specs for any inversion table are its weight capacity and height range.

Weight capacity provides a good indication of the frame strength, which is an area Innova have improved upon since the ITX9300 with a 50 lb increase (now 300 lbs).

They’ve also increased the range of height settings so that the Innova ITX9600 now accommodates users from 4ft-10in to 6ft-6in, which is the same as inversion tables in Ironman’s bestselling Gravity collection.

While height range isn’t something that’s set in stone (many customers have used it with great success being a couple of inches taller or shorter), it’s certainly something you want to bear in mind.

That’s because inversion tables work around a delicately balanced fulcrum. This means that if you choose the correct setting for your height, you should be able to invert by raising your arms above your head, and will find it much easier to return to the upright position.

You also have to take into account the maximum inversion angle, and whether or not the table can be locked at a specific position.

Although you do have the locking pin for limiting the maximum inversion angle to one of four settings (20, 40, 60, 80 degrees beyond parallel), you’re only able to go to a maximum of 170 degrees.

This differs from the 180 degree maximum inversion of the Teeter Hang Ups models and Ironman IFT collection, but shouldn’t make too much of a difference unless you were planning on using the table for decline abs exercises.

Safety features
Full length, non-slip safety handles on either side of the frame have been added to help you revert back to an upright position.

With the Innova Fitness ITX9600 we’re also seeing another system for controlling the inversion range.

Whereas the Ironman Gravity collection relied on an adjustable safety strap, and the earlier Innova ITX9300 relied on a safety bar, this particular model uses a 4-position adjustable safety pin.

This helps to prevent any slipping that could occur with some safety strap models.

You’ll also notice that the base of the double U-frame uses a full-width bar design in place of the 4-point pod style base of these two earlier models.

In terms of stability we haven’t found any issues with either model, but this does seem to be the style that’s preferred by Teeter Hang Ups, as seen on their EP 560 and EP 960 inversion tables.

Comfort and cushioning

As with any piece of fitness equipment, whether it’s a recumbent bike or rowing machine, it’s important to feel comfortable while you workout.

Although inversion sessions are typically quite short in duration (usually 2-30 minutes), you still expect a certain level of cushioning from the ankle holders and back support.

With the ITX9600, Innova have combined the back support styles of the earlier ITX9250 and ITX9300 models into one design. This incorporates the separate head cushion from the ITX9250, and joins it with the full back cushioning of the ITX9300.

The tapering width towards the lumbar region also helps improve stability when inverting, although there’s no detachable pillow like you get with the Ironman Gravity 4000.

The foam itself is fairly standard at around an inch thick, which is slightly slimmer than the 2.5″ ribbed foam design of the Ironman Gravity 4000, and unlike the memory foam that’s built into the next model up – the ITX9700.

This back support padding is vinyl coated to help enhance durability and reduce the risk of tears during use.

Another of the upgrades over the earlier ITX9300 model is in the ankle holders. Although you still have the pull pin design for adjusting the settings, the foam heel holders are now ergonomically moulded and cushioned with a dense padding.

This is similar to what we’ve seen on more expensive inversion tables from the likes of Ironman and Teeter Hang Ups. The only difference is that the leg rollers are still foam, whereas the higher priced models use the molded cushioning here as well.

Comparison with the Innova ITX9300

The price difference between these two inversion tables is nothing too dramatic (usually around $20), but it’s still nice to know what extra features you can expect for the money.

As it happens we’re actually seeing some quite significant upgrades, which are certainly a lot more noteworthy than the differences we noticed between the ITX9250 and ITX9300 models.

Firstly we’re seeing an increase in height settings that brings it much more in line with the higher priced Gravity collection from Ironman.

You’re also getting a stronger frame design, with 50 lb added to the weight capacity and cross-beam base frame supports for improved stability.

The ankle holders have been switched from two sets of foam rollers to a foam roller / ergonomically moulded cushioning combination, which does improve the comfort level at steeper angles.

In terms of the system used to restrict the inversion angle, the ITX9600 now relies on a much simpler pull pin system for switching between clearly defined angles.

This is in comparison to the ITX9300, which relied on you having to move a separate safety bar between different slots in the frame.

Warranty coverage is identical at 1 year.

Ease of assembly and storage options

As with any inversion therapy table, you have to expect a certain degree of assembly.

However, Innova do an excellent job of ensuring this process is as pain free as possible, providing you with all the tools you’ll need to get setup.

They’ve also attached all the bolts and washers to a single piece of cardboard, complete with parts numbers for easy reference when you’re checking you have everything and following through the steps in the manual.

Although the quality of the instructions is good and you have a number of diagrams to use if the text isn’t clear enough, it’s worth setting aside 45-60 minutes to complete the assembly.

In the unlikely event that the user manual is missing from the box when the table arrives, Innova have a highly responsive customer service department who can email a copy straight to you.

Folding and storage
Weighing in at just 55 lbs, the Innova ITX9600 is considerably lighter than inversion tables like the Ironman ATIS 4000 (111 lbs) and even their Gravity 2000 table (75 lbs).

This makes it much easier to move around once assembled, which is also helped by how easy it is to fold the frame when not in use.

By removing the small locking pin on the side of the frame you’re able to bring the two U-shaped sections together, with no need to remove any safety straps or protective side covers.

Unfortunately this isn’t an inversion table that can fold completely flat, but when you reduce the back support to its shortest height setting you’re looking at a much smaller footprint.

Customer reviews

Even when a product has hundreds of highly rated reviews, as the Innova Fitness ITX9600 does, it can still be worthwhile to read through some of the feedback to find out what people like and dislike about the design.

It’s also an effective way to gain insight into the level of customer service, packaging quality, and in some cases how it compares to other inversion tables for anyone with a little more inversion therapy experience.

But when you have hundreds of these reviews to read through, pulling out the unique pieces of information can be a time consuming process.

That’s why we’ve put together the following lists of pros and cons, to act as a quick reference guide for the Innova Fitness ITX9600.

Pros:

Cons:

• The caps to the base stabilizer tubing can fall off if you need to transport the table
• No locking pin to keep the frame together once folded, meaning you may still have to lean it against a wall or lay it flat on the ground
• Doesn’t allow full 180 degree inversion like some tables (setting goes to 80 degrees, which is the angle of inversion past horizontal)

What’s covered by the warranty?