Body Champ IT8070

The Body Champ IT8070 is one of the lowest priced inversion therapy tables around. Despite that ultra-low cost, it offers decent quality and adequate functionality. While it can’t match the powerhouse utility of its high-end competitors, it’s a good product.

Design and Function, Does the Job

“After reviewing several superb inversion tables it’s a little hard to get too enthusiastic about the IT8070.” After reviewing several superb inversion tables it’s a little hard to get too enthusiastic about the IT8070.

But keeping in mind both the price and the build quality, there’s really little to complain about here – and much to praise.

The support frame of the IT8070 won’t stand up well to the kind of strain a fast-moving 300 lb person could put on it. However, few buyers in the market for an inversion table fit in that category. It’s rated for up to 250 lbs and real world buyers confirm that is not just a number in marketing literature.

Offering an easy-to-use pin-lock adjustment mechanism, it’s practically effortless to change the height of the table. It will expand or contract to suit any user from 4’7″ to 6’8″, exceeding the range of even high end models.

Or so the official specs say. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to verify that since the dimensions given are: 55 1/2″ high x 29 1/2″ wide x 75 7/8″ high. A person 6’8″ tall is 80 inches long, which would exceed the length of the table and require your feet to hang far past the ankle straps.

Possible, but unlikely (especially since it would require your feet going past the foot pegs). Either Body Max is stretching a marketing point or the numbers (on Amazon) are simply incorrect.

All that aside, there’s no doubt the table is long enough and wide enough to accommodate almost anyone who might use it and fully high enough to do the job. We can put down the vagueness of the specs to a minor flaw and still say with confidence that the table does what it’s advertised to do.

There’s another pin-lock mechanism – this one spring loaded – to adjust the ankle supports. It, too, is simple to operate and requires no particular hand strength to move. Yet, it locks securely providing peace of mind in preparing your inversion session.

Foam Rollers and Platform Comfort, Mixed Reviews

The foam rollers on the ankle supports get mixed reviews. They’re adequate, best for inversion sessions lasting no more than about 30 minutes. That’s longer than most will want to do anyway. However, even in sessions shorter than that, they aren’t as comfortable as competing products. Still, at this price point, one couldn’t expect that. A pair of thick socks can help compensate.

The platform comfort level also gets mixed reviews. It’s certainly robust and as easy on the back as a yoga mat, but you won’t feel like going to sleep on it. That’s probably not a good idea during an inversion session anyway.

“Getting inverted to the desirable angle (and back up again) is not quite as easy as it is with much more expensive models.” Getting inverted to the desirable angle (and back up again) is not quite as easy as it is with much more expensive models. The strap you use to halt your ‘descent’ (actually, a rotation) is decent but the table is a little more difficult to control than in some models. You can place a chair next to the inversion table for something to push against, if needed.

On the upside, because of really good balance and solid pivot bearings, you can use one arm or two to control your rotation. As you shift your center of gravity by moving an arm overhead you can gently tilt back. To rise up again requires a two-step arm-movement and tug process or an assistant (always a good idea to have during a session anyway).

Sturdy U-shaped Handrails

One very nice feature in the Body Champ IT8070 is the U-shaped handrails. They’re plenty sturdy and help increase the safety of the device. Slide onto this inversion table and you need have no fear of sliding off by accident, no matter how you move.

During the entire process you can rest easy knowing the four rubber stabilizers on the base will keep the table from sliding across the floor. Enter, exit, or move with confidence. While they’re not quite the thickness or quality found on high-end (and higher-cost) tables, they definitely do the job. You just have to move a little slower than with some models.

When you’re ready to end your session you’ll find the table much easier to fold and store than some of those high-end inversion tables, though. The IT8070 weighs a relatively low 45 lbs (compared to over 70 lbs – some over 80 lbs – of the competitors).

The IT8070 folds to a narrow 29″ x 13″ (the height remains fixed). If you have a tall enough closet (the normal case) you should have no trouble finding a slot to slip it into.

Summary

“Someone on the larger side might want to skip this model and pay extra for one of the sturdier units. But for others, and given the lower price, this inversion table is decidedly worth serious consideration.”

The quality is decent, the low weight makes it easier to store and set up, and it’s definitely safe to use. It might take a little more getting used to during operation but, once mastered, it isn’t unduly hard to get inverted and upright again.

The Body Champ IT8070 is a no-frills but well-made inversion table. Good function at a low-price isn’t easy to find these days. Two thumbs up here to Body Max for achieving that.