Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table Review

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As the top inversion table in their ITX collection, the Innova ITX9700 combines inversion therapy with hot and cold compress therapy to create a more comprehensive solution to back pain.

In this review we take a look at which features have been upgraded since the ITX9600, as well as what you can expect from the assembly process, storage options, and how it measures up to Ironman’s infrared IFT range.

Design and safety features

To maintain the same high 300 lb weight capacity as the ITX9600, the frame has been constructed from 1.5-inch square steel tubing, with a double U-frame design creating a stable base.

Full-length, non-slip contoured handles have also been included for both comfort and safety, as they make it much easier to return yourself to upright following an inversion session.

The range of height settings for the back support makes the ITX9700 well suited to a variety of user heights, from 4ft-10in all the way up to 6ft-6in.

The speed with which this can be adjusted combines with the 4-position locking pin, used to restrict inversion angles, to form a table that’s easy to modify, and ideal for family environments.

This means that more than one person can comfortably enjoy the same pressure relief on their back and spinal disc ligaments without worrying about the time it will take to switch configurations.

Unfortunately you still have the pull=pin design for the ankle holder positioning, which does require more bending down than the patented ‘palm-activated’ ratchet system of some Ironman Gravity tables.

Safety features
One of the more controversial safety features is the 4-position locking pin on the side of the frame.

While some people find this an upgrade over the more conventional safety strap design, others find the number of settings restrictive in comparison.

Having the four locking pin settings lets you switch between them very quickly, and with total confidence that the table won’t invert beyond your set limit.

Safety straps on the other hand have been known to slip slightly on rare occasions, and there’s usually no clear markings for helping you move between different settings.

This results in much more of a trial and error approach, which isn’t ideal if you’re short on time.

So unless you’re really going to need angles other than 20, 40, 60, and 80 degrees beyond the horizontal, Innova’s locking pin system is going to be a much quicker option.

In addition to the choice of positions, you also have the same full width base stabilizers as we’ve seen on the inversion tables from Teeter Hang Ups and Ironman.

For Innova, these were first introduced on the earlier ITX9600 design, providing a slight improvement in stability over the 4-point pod style of the earlier ITX9250 and ITX9300 models.

Comfort and cushioning

This is something that Innova Fitness have focussed on a great deal when they considered how they could improve upon their ITX9600 model.

Not only do you have the detachable pillow and lumbar pad, but also the added support provided by memory foam in the back support, making it the lowest priced inversion table to have this as a feature.

We noticed that Innova had made the rear set of molded ankle holders ergonomically molded in the upgrade from the ITX9300 to the ITX9600, but with this model we’re pleased to say they’ve upgraded both.

The full ankle holder system now uses the same high-density cushioning to reduce the possibility of ‘pinch points’, and improve the level of comfort at stepper inversion angles.

Comparison with the Innova Fitness ITX9600

In our review of the Innova ITX9600 we noticed there were some significant improvements that had been made across the design since the earlier ITX9250 model.

The weight capacity had increased, cushioning improved, full width base stabilizers added, and a wider range of height settings to name a few.

We were expecting to see similar upgrades when comparing the ITX9600 with the higher priced ITX9700 inversion table, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.

The weight capacity remains the same at 300 lbs, range of height settings remains unchanged, and the locking pin for the ankle holders is still a pull-pin system, without any extension in the length of the handle. You also have the same four settings for the maximum inversion angle.

However, we have noticed some significant improvements in the level of comfort, with thicker memory foam used throughout the full length of the back support. You also have a detachable head pillow for better neck support, and the option of a Universal Lumbar Pad.

This can be attached to the main back support in a similar position to the lumbar pillow we saw on the Ironman 4000, and allows you to treat lower back pain with a hot or cold compress while inverting.

The only downside is that the ITX9700 doesn’t actually include any compresses, making this an additional and potentially ongoing expense that adds up over time.

If heat therapy is something you’re interested in, the IFT collection from Ironman might be a better option for you. Despite having a higher initial cost, it could work out to be a more cost effective solution in the long term.

Customer reviews

Although they tend to specialize in producing some of the lowest priced inversion tables in the industry, this seems to have taken nothing away from the popularity or quality of the Innova Fitness ITX collection.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to find the same high number of reviews for the ITX9700 as we were for the earlier models, but the average review rating is just as high.

Listed below are a few pros and cons that we discovered while reading through these reviews ourselves, which we’ll continue to update as more reviews become available.

Pros:

Cons:

• Not much to report here, other than the vinyl back support cover had a small split in one side for one customer
• A few customers would have liked the ankle holders to be more comfortable, but this seems to be a recurring issue amongst most inversion tables, and can often be solved by wearing thicker socks or shoes

Ease of assembly and folding options

Although the bulk of the assembly has been done for you, there’s still a number of bolts and washers that need to be used to connect the major parts and form the double U-frame and adjustable boom.

All the tools you need are included, and with a relatively lightweight frame design, you shouldn’t need to worry about needing two people to get the ITX9700 setup.

A locking pin on the side of the frame (close to the angle settings) is all that needs to be removed when it comes to folding the table to reduce the footprint. While not completely flat, this certainly makes for more convenient storage.

As a side note, if you don’t find the instructions particularly easy to follow, or the user manual is missing completely, we’ve found the customer service department at Innova highly responsive.

For a request like this the best way to contact them is via email, where they’ll be happy to reply with the owner’s manual attached and offer any assistance.

Unfortunately, as with most inversion tables at this price point, the user manual doesn’t include any exercise options, and there’s no instructional DVD provided (something that is provided with the higher priced Teeter Hang Ups tables).

What’s covered by the warranty?