DIY Build an Inversion Table

You can use inversion table therapy to treat back pain. This type of therapy allows gravity to naturally align the body, alleviating the discomfort associated with incorrect spinal alignment. While many varieties of inversion tables are on the market today, building your own gives you the freedom to customize it to your specifications. Building an inversion table requires a few basic skills. You can complete it alone in an afternoon but it's easier if someone is available to take your measurements.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-inch diameter rigid conduit
  • Tubing bender
  • Hacksaw
  • Soldering tool
  • Steel solder
  • Measuring tape or yardstick
  • 1 1/2 -inch square steel tubing
  • Welding tool
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 3/8-inch threaded rod, 48 inches long
  • 3/8-inch nylon washers with nuts
  • Hex wrench
  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Nylon strap
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the tubing bender to bend conduit to form two triangles, each 60 inches high and measuring 36 inches at the base. Trim excess tubing with a hacksaw and connect the ends of each triangle using a soldering tool and steel solder. These triangles will serve as the table's support.

    • 2

      Ask someone to measure you from the top of your head to the middle of your thigh. If no one else is available, stand against a wall and use the measuring tape to obtain that measurement. Make a note of it. Use the measuring tape to measure around your hips. Add three inches to that measurement and record it as well.

    • 3

      Use the tube bender to shape conduit into a form for the table's backrest. The frame's length should match your head to thigh measurement, and the width should match your hip measurement, including the additional three inches. Trim all excess tubing with a hacksaw. Connect the ends of the frame with steel solder and the soldering tool.

    • 4

      Cut a strip of steel tubing 36 inches long using the hacksaw. This will be the main frame of the table. Cut a second strip that is 16 inches long. This will be the footrest. Lay both pieces on the ground, with the footrest piece at the end of the frame piece, lying perpendicular. Connect the two pieces using the welding machine. Set them aside.

    • 5

      Cut another strip of steel tubing to the same width as the backrest frame. This will be the pivot hub. Set it at the end of the main frame, opposite the footrest. This should create an "H" shape. Connect the pieces using the welding machine.

    • 6

      Drill a hole at the top of each support piece using the 3/8-inch drill bit. Cut a 3/8-inch thread rod 48 inches long and place a nylon washer on both ends of it. Run this rod through the pivot hub rod and put a 3/8-inch hex head nut on each end.

    • 7

      Slip one of the triangle base pieces onto each end of the threaded rod. Use a hex wrench to tighten the nuts and washers, securing the triangles to the rest of the frame.

    • 8

      Set the backrest piece close to the top of the main frame piece. Use the soldering tool and solder to attach it to the main frame and pivot hub.

    • 9

      Cut a piece of fabric to fit the backrest piece. Measurements will vary depending on the size of your table. Add 2 or 3 inches to both the length and the width so you can wrap the excess around the frame. It is best to use a heavy fabric such as canvas. Sew the two sides together underneath the backrest. Secure a nylon strap to the table by looping it around two or three times and buckling it in the front.