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Grounding yourself in the Zero Gravity Position

April 16, 2018
Earthing while using a zero gravity chair indoors or out

As you can read in my last post about the benefits of earthing I have recently found that earthing (or grounding) myself has really helped with my back pain and stress.

However one thing that doesn’t really go hand in hand with grounding is the zero gravity position.

If you are outdoors sitting on your zero gravity recliner, the chances are you have your feet elevated.

After all why use a zero gravity chair if you are simply going to use it in the upright position? You may as well use a regular garden chair.

Since your feet are raised you are obviously not in direct contact with the earth, however with the use of grounding or earthing apparatus you can get the best of both worlds.

Whether you use an outdoor zero gravity chair in the garden or an indoor zero gravity chair or massage chair in your home, you can still receive the great benefits that grounding oneself can bring.

 

Using a grounding product outdoors

If you are fairly active throughout the days spent relaxing outdoors, using a grounding product may not be necessary.

Landkissing grounding mat and wrist band set

Landkissing grounding mat and wrist band set

Taking regular breaks from your zero gravity chair to walk around barefoot on the ground will provide ample opportunity to earth yourself effectively.

However, if you prefer to just sit back in your zero gravity recliner and relax in the sun, there are some excellent products that allow you to ground yourself while doing so.

This grounding kit from the brand Landkissing is a great package in my opinion. As you can see in the image to the right it comes with a pair of grounding wristbands which are ideal for grounding oneself when in a zero gravity chair.

Grounding products come complete with a cord that plugs in to the lower (earth) socket on an wall plug socket.

Generally these included cords are around 5 meters / 16 feet in length, therefore use of an extension cable may be necessary.

 

 

Tylson outdoor grounding rod

Tylson outdoor grounding rod

Another option however, would be using a grounding product with a grounding rod that plugs directly into the earth like this one from Tylson.

This ground rod is also able to provide an additional 45′ extension onto your earthing products cord.

Some buyers have even stated that plugging in their earthing product into the earth as oppose to a plug socket has provided them with far more noticeable health benefits and an even better nights sleep.

Due to the long extension cable that is included with the copper rod, you can also use it when earthing in your home as it can easily be set up running through a slightly opened window.

One thing to note is that the rod should be placed in moist ground for a more effective connection.

 

Using grounding products on an indoor zero gravity chair

Grounding yourself on a zero gravity chair indoors, on a bed or even a zero gravity bed wedge system, is generally quite straightforward.

It may however be a slightly more costly depending on what option you choose.

The first option is the most cost effective. It is once again the Landkissing grounding set that has already been mentioned above.

The Landkissing grounding set is great for indoor and outdoor use and is very versatile.

You can use the grounding mats on the floor or on a desk, for example under a computer keyboard. Unfortunately though they are not really durable enough to use on a zero gravity chair consistently.

The wrist bands however are very suitable for use with an indoor zero gravity chair.

If you are looking for an even more effortless solution, you may prefer a durable grounding mat especially for use on a chair.

As you can see in the picture to the right using a grounding mat of this size on an indoor zero gravity chair is ideal.

All you need to do is simply drape the mat over your gravity recliner and plug it into the earth outlet in a power socket. Then sit back and relax.

You can view the chair earthing mat in further detail here at Amazon. You can also view a earthing mat designed for a bed from the same manufacturer.

 

Find out more about earthing

If you would like to find out more about earthing (grounding) yourself, you may wish to take a look at some of my other blog posts where I have written about it.

The first post, details my initial experience and introduction to earthing, it also shows how skeptical I was at first.

The second post highlights many of the health benefits that can be gained from earthing on a regular basis. It also takes a look at how effective I have found regular earthing to be in combating my back pain issues and stress.

I would also recommend having a look on YouTube for some excellent documentaries about earthing. This short clip is a great place to get started, especially if you are a little skeptical as I once was.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Grounding / Earthing Health Benefits

April 11, 2018
The health benefits of earthing / grounding

Introduction

A while back I published a post detailing a little about my experience of earthing or as it is also known grounding.

The process of grounding can be as simple as putting your bare feet on the ground outdoors. You can however also use a grounding mat or other grounding products which also provide you body with electrons from the earth.

As you can read in my initial earthing post here, I was incredibly skeptical at first.

However, over the last couple of years I have been using an earthing mat on a daily basis and particularly in recent weeks I feel the results have been incredible.

Fairly recently I had been feeling pretty stressed out. In addition to this my back and muscle pain was acting up again, even though I had been using my earthing mat for an hour before bed every night.

However, over the last couple of years I think I have gradually taken my earthing mat for granted a little.

Before bed I routinely place it down and do not give it much thought, then remove it before I sleep.

It was only due to the increase in stress I was feeling and my increased back pain that made me start using my mat a lot more.

When I first got the mat I would use it beneath my computer keyboard throughout the day. Over time I’m unsure why I quit doing so, although I’m guessing it was down to laziness or, as I mention earlier taking the mat for granted.

In the last month or so I have started using the mat on my computer table again and also sleeping on it throughout the night.

With the increased usage of my mat I am so surprised how quickly my back pain has cleared up and how much my overall health has improved.

It has also inspired me to write this post as I am still amazed that such a simple process / product can do so much to help with certain health issues.

The Benefits of Earthing / Grounding

Having found such a positive health boost from using my earthing mat on a more regular basis, I chose to research some of the benefits in more detail.

I was actually quite surprised to find out about the numerous studies that have been conducted to back up the the benefits and effects of grounding.

The concept behind earthing is that when we are in barefoot contact with the earth or using an earthing mat on our skin we absorb electrons into our body.

As one of the leading researchers, Clint Ober (founder of the Earthing brand) has stated, our bodies are primarily electrical. Therefore grounding ourselves or earthing helps our bodies to become electrically stable.

The electrons absorbed through the earthing process help to neutralize the cell damaging free radicals in our body.

Reduction and prevention of Inflammation

One of the main researched benefits of earthing throughout the day or night is the reduction of inflammation.

A quick internet search of “inflammation causes disease” shows it is becoming increasingly agreed by medical researchers that inflammation can cause and advance many common diseases.

The process of earthing has even received a patent in 2010 as a method the reduce and prevent inflammation and autoimmune diseases!

Earthing helps improvement in sleep

Research has also shown that earthing yourself throughout the night provides another major benefit of grounding, a better nights sleep!

One study found that cortisol levels in test subjects were significantly reduced while grounded during sleep.

Cortisol levels influence your energy and your ability to get a more restful sleep.

It was found that the cortisol levels of the subjects of the study showed a trend towards normalization.

This normalization led to better energy levels in the morning on waking up and made it more effortless to fall asleep at night.

Increased Circulation and Energy 

Earthing helps to increase circulation, thinning the blood and allowing cells to carry more oxygen and carry away more waste.

With an increase in circulation, energy levels also increase.

Reduced pain and stress

The reduction in pain and stress are also significant benefits that are aided by the reduction of inflammation and a better nights sleep.

 

Having researched a little more into grounding myself, I am not surprised how quickly my back pain and stress ceased after using my earthing mat overnight.

After using my mat once while I slept, my pain cleared up immediately. It actually seemed quite miraculous.

I am also very impressed with how positive the results of many of the studies into grounding have been.

All of them providing very good proof that really backs up my findings and experience from using a grounding mat as I slept.

Being someone who initially thought grounding was perhaps a bit far fetched, I really have changed my mind entirely on the subject.

What do I need to Earth myself?

The greatest thing about earthing is it can be done completely cost free.

You can simply go to the park or outside your home and place your skin in contact with the earth.

It was always a mystery to me, why after a day at the beach I would sleep so much better. However I now assume it has a lot to do with earthing yourself while walking around on the sand.

If you are pushed for time or getting barefoot outdoors is a hard task to do daily, there are plenty of affordable grounding products available.

As I mentioned in my first grounding post, I was given my grounding mat as a gift.

I am regularly at my computer desk and to be perfectly honest walking around outdoors with bare feet each day would be a massive hassle. Therefore the grounding mat was an excellent gift to receive (although I wasn’t aware of it at the time).

The mat I received (pictured right) retails at around $60. It was one to use either on the floor while seated or you can use it under your computer keyboard while working.

As previously mentioned I have also been using it in bed, however after a couple of weeks it is something I wouldn’t recommend too often. Mine has become very tatty and has torn a fair bit because of this (I will be upgrading to a bed mat very soon).

You can view and purchase the grounding mat for a workstation here on Amazon. You can also read the reviews from other buyers to see just how effective everyone believes it to be.

For those wishing to have an effective solution to ground while sleeping there are larger more durable mats available. There are also mats that you can use on a chair or sofa.

The obvious benefit of having one of these larger mats to sit or lay down on, is that they are far more sturdy and durable than the smaller desk/floor style mats.

I learnt the hard way that the computer desk mats are not very durable and fairly useless to sleep on, especially if you move around a fair bit in your sleep.

There seems to be a fairly limited amount of options available for bed and chair mats but looking on Amazon the Ground Therapy sleep mat and the Ground Therapy chair mat from Grounded beauty are some affordable and well rated options. Both are pictured below.

Conclusion

If you suffer from pain, stress or sleeping issues you should really consider giving earthing a go.

It is so easy to do and you are very likely to become a convert like I have.

After the last few weeks of earthing regularly throughout the day it is astonishing to me that the benefits are not more widely known.

Through Earthing daily I feel in the best shape I have for years and would strongly recommend it.

Even if you have no current issues with pain, it is a great way to balance yourself out and rejuvenate your mind and body.

 

 

 

 

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

The Zero Gravity Position when Sleeping

December 7, 2017

Due to the comfort provided by a zero gravity outdoor chair or a zero gravity massage chair many user often find themselves unintentionally falling asleep, even when they don’t intend to!

It is true that a quick cat nap in a zero gravity chair during the day, is often a great way energize and reinvigorate yourself.

In this post we will find out if are there any worthwhile solutions available, that allow you to reap the benefits of the zero gravity position as you sleep throughout the night?

 

The Primitive Methods I Have Tried

When I first found that the zero gravity position may be a way for me to reduce my back pain, I started looking for objects around the home that allowed me to raise my feet while in a lying down position.

I found using a zero gravity chair very beneficial, but obviously I wasn’t always able use my chair, especially throughout the night.

My first thought was to use some fairly lengthy sofa cushions to prop up my legs and feet when lead on my bed. The cushions however were not very padded and when stacked upon each other they didn’t really seem to make too much difference. Also there is no way you could sleep throughout the night with your legs raised without the cushion stack collapsing due to movement. This didn’t however stop me from trying, and failing.

In my second experiment, I used a temporary bed/folding chair that I had previously bought for my kid very similar to this one. Since my son no longer used the bed it seemed like a good choice and when folded into a chair was a lot more padded than using the cushions.

Although the folded bed chair wasn’t perfect, I did find it to be a fairly effective solution.

It did have it’s problems, in that I wouldn’t always wake up with my legs still raised but it was fairly comfortable overall and felt like it was helping my back pain. It was also a very relaxing way to watch the TV in bed before I went to sleep.

It is true that this method wasn’t really as effective as the zero gravity position since my upper body was horizontal, but it appeared to help me personally never the less.

 

Better Solutions Available 

When looking around on Amazon one day at zero gravity products I came across the Backmax foam bed wedge zero gravity support system by Contour Products. It appeared to be a complete solution to sleeping in the zero gravity position.

The great thing that struck me about the Backmax foam wedge is it’s versatility and the control you have over the position that you are able to sleep in. As well as its ability to elevate your legs while raising your upper body, while granting the 120 degree angle between the mid-section and the thighs that the zero gravity position is known for.

While searching around I noticed many other foam wedge shaped products that could perhaps be combined together to give a similar effect. For example products such as the Hermell Products Elevating Leg Rest combined with the InteVision Foam Wedge Bed Pillow. Both of which could perhaps be cheaper alternatives to anyone wishing to benefit from the zero gravity position while they sleep.

Having continued doing a little more research it appeared using numerous wedges would probably be more hassle than it was worth.

Two or three separate wedges are likely to shift their positions somewhat throughout the night. This in turn would probably provide the user a less than satisfactory nights sleep and the wedges wouldn’t stay in fixed alignment.

The Backmax in my opinion seemed a much better choice overall and a highly adjustable all in one solution. The stand out features being due to the Backmax zero gravity foam wedges zipping together, helping to ensure that they wouldn’t slip or re-adjust as you sleep.

Please Note: Since writing this post Contour products have updated their previous model that is pictured in the image at the top of the page. They have now released the blue BedMax bed wedge system 2.0 pictured below. For the most part it appears to fairly similar to the previous bed wedge system which is no longer available. Unfortunately however the updated model does not have as many buyer reviews as the previous model so if you would like to take a look at some of the older reviews you can view them here!

 

Contour Products Backmax Foam Bed Wedge System, Plus, 2.0

Updated Contour Products Backmax Foam Bed Wedge System, 2.0

 

The Contour Products Backmax Foam Bed Wedge System 2.0

 

The Bedmax 2.0 is available in two sizes and has a plus sized variation available that is wider. The standard sized wedge system measures 70 L x 20 W x 14 H inches while the plus sized version has a 28 inch width.

On both variations the foam wedges can be placed directly on to your bed and can be used either attached to each other, or can be unzipped independently. This allows the user multiple options, for example using only the lower wedges without back support, or only using the back support for when they are perhaps reading in a more upright position. This also provides more targeted support in the specific areas where required.

Contour Products Backmax Foam Bed Wedge System, Plus, 2.0

 

 

The zero gravity wedges are made from high quality medical grade support foam and the package comes with a washable cover. The wedges also come with their own carrying case allowing for easy storage and transportation if you wish to use them while away from home.

While many will not fault the comfort provided when using this zero gravity bed wedge set, one thing that some users have found (especially on the previous model) is that the zipped position is not an optimal length for them.

However, most have also found that unzipping the wedges to suit their body type can solve this problem.

The manufacturer stated that the previous Bedmax wedges were suitable for the majority of people under 6′ 2″. Although, even if you are over 6 foot tall, the foam wedges when zipped together should still provide you with a far more rested and relaxing nights sleep. Provided you can tolerate the small inconvenience of having your feet dangle of the end a little.

The plus size version of the Bedmax wedge system does cost a little more than the standard size, however many feel it is a must for anyone with broader shoulders. For some the 20″ width may seem far too small of an area to feel comfortable.

As with all of our zero gravity chairs and zero gravity products that we review and list, we recommend that you always take a look at what other buyers have experienced and mentioned about the product.

If you would like to take a look at some further reviews for the Contour Products Backmax Foam Bed Wedge System you can do so on Amazon.com here. You will also see some other zero gravity bed wedge systems are available on Amazon on the same page. In my opinion, the Bedmax is the best choice of zero gravity bed wedges on offer, since it provides an all in one solution!

 

Conclusion

As much as we all love zero gravity chairs, many are unlikely to want to use their chair to sleep in throughout the night.

Thanks to zero gravity bed wedges, anyone can now enjoy the zero gravity position and the increased circulation it brings, for a further 8 – 10 hours each day, throughout the night.


Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Do Zero Gravity Chairs Make Good Camping Chairs?

August 7, 2017
Are zero gravity chairs good for camping?

A quick internet search or product search on a retail site for “camping chairs” will often bring up a variety of seating options, including a number of zero gravity chairs.

Over the years I have owned a variety of camping chairs and taken various types of chair on camping trips with me. In this post I will be comparing how a zero gravity chair fairs against other styles of camping chairs. I will look into both the advantages and disadvantages a zero gravity recliner has when compared to other styles of camping chair available.

Since the majority of camping chairs retail at around $50 – $100, I will be mainly comparing them to zero gravity chairs in a similar price range, although I may occasionally point out certain ZG chair options that have more preferable features such as a lightweight design or an extra large variation that may cost a bit extra.

The Camping Chairs Selected to Compare

Below are the 4 camping chairs that will be the main focus of the comparison. Each have been selected due to their high consumer ratings and lightweight yet durable design. These are also some of the most popular camping chairs available in each of their respective styles and they all retail at very competitive prices when compared to similar camping chairs.

Timber Ridge Aluminum Portable Director's Folding Chair

Timber Ridge Director’s Folding Chair

TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair with Bag

TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair with Bag

KingCamp Moon Saucer Camping Chair

KingCamp Moon Saucer Camping Chair

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Camping Chair

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

The Zero Gravity Chair for Comparison

The Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Recliner is one of the most popular standard sized zero gravity chairs available. This particular chair is ideal for use in this comparison, due to its similarity to so many other zero gravity recliners and due to it being in the same price range as the 4 camping chairs.

Although the Caravan Sports gravity recliner is not the lightest zero gravity chair around, at 18 lbs it is a fairly standard weight for a zero gravity chair. It is also fairly standard in size and dimensions when compared to other regular sized zero gravity recliners.

Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair

Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair

The following table details some of the key features of each of the camping chairs compared. Due to constantly changing prices, all chairs are listed as under $100, although most of the chairs below are usually available for around $50.

[table id=14 responsive=scroll/]

The Main Reason to opt for Zero Gravity Chairs Over More Traditional Camping Chairs

Caravan Sports Infinity Oversized Zero Gravity Chair recliningAs you will have probably already noticed there is one very significant difference between zero gravity recliners and other camping chairs.

This is of course, that on a zero gravity chair you are able to elevate your feet and recline into the neutral body position / zero gravity position.

If this is the most important feature for you to have on a chair that you take camping, you can certainly dismiss most other camping chairs. No matter how lightweight or portable the other camping chairs may be, they do not possess a zero gravity recline feature.

If your camping chair simply must have the ability to recline, we would recommend you take a look at our run down of the most lightweight and portable zero gravity chairs here.

Why A Zero Gravity Recliner may not be the Best Choice for Camping

When it comes to portability, especially when carrying chairs by hand, zero gravity chairs are far from optimal choices to consider.

Faulkner zero gravity chair carry bag

One of the best ways to carry your zero gravity chair is the Faulkner carry bag. Suitable for both regular and XL sized zero gravity recliners.

As you can see from the table further up the page, the zero gravity chair is by far the heaviest chair when compared to the other camping chairs. It is also the most awkward to carry due to its wide and long dimensions when folded.

If you were to buy a carry bag for your zero gravity recliner, it still wouldn’t be the most ideal lightweight chair for hiking, however it would certainly make the chair a little less hassle to carry over short distances.

If you are in need of an easy solution to help you carry your zero gravity chair, the Faulkner zero gravity chair carry bag is one of the best low priced options around.

As you can see in the image to the right, the carry bag is still rather cumbersome, however it is the best solution currently available to aid with carrying either standard sized or extra large zero gravity recliners.

If on the other hand you are looking for a lightweight chair to take hiking, the TrekUltra fold up chair (listed above) is an outstanding choice. The TrekUltra camping chair comes complete with a carry bag and has a very compact design allowing it to weigh only 2.6 lbs.

Considering the lowest weight zero gravity recliner currently available weighs around 15 lbs, and the Caravan Sports chair weighs 18 lbs. You can see why a zero gravity chair is not ideal to carry over long distances by hand.

Is Space an Issue?

When setting off on a camping trip you are often going to be confined to the size of your vehicle. If you have a camper van or RV you are unlikely to need to worry too much about space. Although it may still play a small factor.

However if you are travelling in a car that is packed with other camping necessities you are going to have to be careful what camping chairs you consider.

Lets have a quick look at how to folded dimensions of the Caravan Sports zero gravity chair compares to the other camping chairs when they are folded down.

  • Caravan Sports Zero Gravity Chair Folded Dimensions: 38.6” x 26.4” x 6.3” (L x W x D)
  • Timber Ridge Director’s Folding Chair Folded Dimensions: 35.83″ x 21.26″ x 7.09″ (L x W x D)
  • TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair with Bag Folded Dimensions: 14.5″ x 5″ x 4″ (L x W x D)
  • KingCamp Moon Saucer Camping Chair Folded Dimensions: 34.6″ x 9.1″ x 7.9″ (L x W x D)
  • ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair Folded Dimensions: 38″ x 5″ x 5″ (L x W x D)

As you can see above the zero gravity chair is the least compact, especially when it comes to the area taken up by the length and width of the chair when folded.

This is certainly something to take into consideration if you are limited to a car with a small trunk space.

Travelling with a pair of these zero gravity chairs in the trunk of a car is not going to leave a great deal of additional surface space, whereas travelling with a pair of the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chairs or a pair of TrekUltra chairs is going to free up a lot more room in comparison.

One slight benefit to the zero gravity chair is however, that you can pack objects on top of the fairly flat surface of the chair.

Timber Ridge Director’s Folding Chair Folded
TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair with Bag Folded Dimensions
KingCamp Moon Saucer Camping Chair Folded Dimensions

As mentioned above if you are going on a camping trip in a camper van, RV or motorhome, space shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Having recently been on a camping trip in a fairly small sized camper van I can safely say all of the chairs listed on this page would have fitted easily.

On my most recent trip we took along a pair of moon saucer style camping chairs that are very similar in dimensions to the KingCamp moon saucer style camping chairs.

Both chairs easily fitted underneath the seats of the camper and the inclusion of the carry bags with each chair meant that any dirt or mess that accumulated on the feet and frame of the chairs, didn’t make its way onto the interior of the camper van.

On other camping trips we have taken along a pair of zero gravity chairs and they also fit nicely either under the back seats of the camper, or in a more upright position at the back of the van.

Chair Weight Capacity and Size

When it comes to comparing the weight capacities of the camping chairs there isn’t a great deal to separate the choices. As you can see from the table earlier in this post the average tends to be around 300 lbs for the standard sized chairs.

One thing to mention is the massive 800 lbs weight capacity on the King Kong Chair from ALPS Mountaineering. This is truly a huge weight capacity, although to some it may seem fairly unnecessary. Even if someone really did need this huge weight capacity for a chair to hold them the chances of them fitting in it comfortably are slim. The extra strength of the chair may be good however for if you have kids or a loved one sat on your lap when in seated in the chair, or if you just want a very solid and robust camping chair!

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity ChairIf you are in need of a camping chair that can hold a greater amount of weight or one that features a wider seat, there are plenty of options available and many are as lightweight and compact as the chairs listed on this page.

Likewise if you need a zero gravity chair that holds more weight or provides an extra width seat you can find some very good ones on the market. You can take a look at our comparison list of the best extra large zero gravity chairs here for an idea of what is available.

You may also be interested in the highly recommended Timber Ridge padded XL zero gravity chair which can hold up to 350 lbs and features a 21 inch width seat.

Due to the sturdy nature of this particular chair, it is more bulky and heavy weighing around 21 lbs. It is therefore not a suitable choice for carrying too far by hand, but is a great choice to transport in a Camper van or motor home. This is also true of many XL zero gravity chairs, they are almost always going to be heavier and have larger folded dimensions than standard sized zero gravity recliners.

You can read our review of the Timber Ridge oversized zero gravity chair here.

Conclusions

Are Zero Gravity Good Hiking Chairs?

As you have probably figured out from the rest of the content on this page the answer is clearly No!

As much as we love zero gravity chairs, at an average weight of 18 lbs you certainly do not want to be lugging one around on a nature hike, even if you have the chair contained in a carry case.

TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair

The TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair is clearly a very compact option when hiking

The folded dimensions of a zero gravity chair also make them fairly awkward to carry by hand. Carrying your zero gravity chair over a short distance to the beach for example, will not be a huge hassle. However, those of average strength probably would not want to carry a zero gravity recliner for more than 100 meters as it would require a lot of effort.

Out of all of the camping chairs featured on this page there is one clear choice when it comes to a chair to take hiking and that is the TrekUltra Camping Fold Up Chair.

The strong 350 lbs weight capacity of this camping chair make it a very good option for a range of users. Likewise the very low 2.6 lb weight of the chair makes it perfect to carry on foot. The easy to use hassle free carry bag also makes it an ideal choice for exploring the great outdoors.

Are Zero Gravity Chairs Good for Camping?

As we have touched upon above, a zero gravity chair is an excellent choice of camping chair, especially if you want to put your feet up and provided you have enough space in your vehicle.

Although all of the other camping chairs on this page are amazing choices that are both sturdy and lightweight, they lack the versatility of a zero gravity recliner as they are very much fixed into one seating position.

It is true that when it comes to storage and transportation a zero gravity recliner isn’t the most compact option around when it comes to surface area. However the flat design of the chairs make them more than suitable for transportation in most vehicles with a fairly well sized trunk.

zero gravity chairs or camping chairs

What Chair is best for your camping trip?

When considering a zero gravity chair or more traditional camping chair it really is a toss up between what features will suit your trip better and what your personal preference may be.

The Main Pros of a zero gravity recliner being:

  • The zero gravity position
  • A recline function
  • A more flat folding design suitable for storage and transportation

On the other hand the main reasons to opt for a camping chair over a zero gravity recliner are:

  • You get a more lightweight and manageable chair, especially when carrying by hand
  • A carry bag is often included making storage and transportation even less effort
  • You get a more compact chair overall when folded down, that will generally take up less space
  • Most camping chairs have accessory and drinks holders built into the chair

Final Thoughts

Thought BubbleWhen I go camping I must admit I do not do too much sitting down and prefer to explore the nearby area. I also do not tend to go camping for a long duration of time and it is for these reasons that I could quite happily leave my zero gravity chair at home for a few days.

If I was to go camping for more than a few days however, my zero gravity chair would certainly be packed for the trip since I like to use it on a regular basis. I am also not really pushed for space on my camping trips so taking my chair along is never much of a hassle.

As mentioned earlier, one benefit of using a more traditional camping chair that I have personally found on my camping trips, is they are less likely to bring dirt into the interior of your vehicle when the weather isn’t too good.

When placed upon wet and muddy ground the small feet of camping chairs tend to pick up less dirt than the lower bars of a zero gravity chair frame. Also since the camping chairs I own each have their own storage/carry bag, most of the dirt and debris from the feet will be contained in the bag when the chair is stored after use.

Overall I find emptying and cleaning the camping chair carry bag far less hassle at the end of the camping trip over having to wipe the lower bars of my zero gravity recliner every time it is placed on wet ground, or having to clean mud from the interior of my vehicle.

If you would like to find out more about any of the camping chairs listed on this page you can do so by clicking on the “Find Out More” buttons below.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Is It Worth Spending Under $100 On A Zero Gravity Recliner?

August 2, 2017
under $100 zero gravity chair illustration

With so many zero gravity chairs for the outdoors available, one question that is often asked is, how much money one should spend in order to get a fairly decent outdoor recliner?

If you have spent some time looking around our site comparing a variety of zero gravity outdoor recliners, you will notice the large variance in prices and range of models that are available.

You will also notice if you are looking for standard width outdoor zero gravity recliners or an extra large zero gravity chair, that there are a number of very well rated options available for under $100. There are even some seemingly very good choices available for under $50 – $60.

So what is the best option? Is it worthwhile to invest in a more expensive zero gravity recliner in the hope it will last longer or be a better quality choice? Or would a $50 chair suit you as equally well?

The first Zero Gravity Chair I bought

When I first started to look around for products that could help to ease my back pain my budget wasn’t very large. In addition to this, I wasn’t prepared to invest too much cash for solutions that could potentially be snake oil products.

With a budget of around $200 I decided to opt for an outdoor zero gravity chair for around $60 and an inversion table that cost less than $130. Both of the products ordered were fairly nondescript items both black in appearance without any branding, they really were the most budget options available at the time.

Although the inversion table I purchased took a little time getting used to, I was instantly impressed with the gravity recliner. I saw no lack of quality present and was instantly taken by how comfortable it was. I also loved the chairs ability to position me with my legs raised.

Caravan Canopy Sports Infinity Black Zero Gravity ChairAfter a couple of minutes getting used to the recline function I was convinced I had not wasted any money and started using the chair on a daily basis. I loved the recliner so much I used it more indoors than out, often taking breaks in it in the living room. I also started using it in my bedroom while watching a film or show before sleep, since I found it far more preferable to lying down on the bed.

One of the main things that stood out to me in the first few days was the chairs ability to remove pressure from my spine. Like many, I spend most of the day at a computer and in the past would often end up sat at my computer desk until at least 21:00 working or watching something. It was only when I was able to compare the zero gravity recliner to other chairs such as my computer desk chair, dining chairs and sofas that I realized how beneficial it felt for my back in comparison.

When I first bought a zero gravity recliner I knew very little about the zero gravity position. In fact it was the purchase of this first chair that lead me to looking into it in a lot more detail, which in turn lead to be one of the main reasons for My Zero Gravity Chair being set up.

Years on, I still consider the first cheap zero gravity chair I bought to be one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Would I Recommend A low Price Zero Gravity Recliner?

Absolutely, especially if you have never used a zero gravity recliner before, or you are confined to a tight budget.

Caravan Canopy Sports Infinity Black Zero Gravity ChairMy first zero gravity chair was identical to many that are available currently, very similar to the highly rated Caravan Canopy range of zero gravity outdoor chairs (A very good choice for cheap zero gravity chairs and XL zero gravity chairs) and the equally affordable Bellezze set of 2 gravity recliners.

Despite its low price I have never found issue with deterioration and it lasted many years until I decided to update. My decision to update was not based upon anything other than I felt I needed an upgrade as my budget allowed me to do so.

The first chair I bought provided more than adequate comfort and most importantly allowed me to relax in the neutral body position at a very low cost. Overall it was an excellent choice due to my financial restrictions at the time.

If you are a little strapped for cash, why not take a look at our list of some of the best low priced zero gravity recliners here. Many of the chairs listed here are available for much less than $100 and some cost less than $50.

Would I recommend a low price inversion table?

For anyone interested I would recommend trying to spend a little extra if you are after an inversion table, unless you really are pressed for cash. Although I have no complaints with the budget inversion table I started out with, there are far better ones available that have a lot more features these days. Also slightly more expensive ones have better safety features in place making them more suitable for beginners.

It is also worth pointing out that inversion tables differ a lot more than zero gravity recliners so more budget options may be a little less safe than more respected brands. However there are still a number of very good low priced inversion tables to choose from that cost less than $130. You can take a look at some of the best inversion tables under $100 here.

In Summary

It is obviously true that some zero gravity chairs are better than others when it comes to comfort and quality. The price a product retails at is usually a good marker to judge the overall quality of a product, as well as the products longevity.

If you can afford to splash out a little extra on a zero gravity recliner, that’s great and there are some excellent choices to choose from. However, if you are strapped for cash do not let the low prices of some of the chairs available put you off!

When I bought my first zero gravity chair I had no prior expectations and nothing to compare the experience to . On receipt of the chair I was astonished by how impressive the chair was and for me it was certainly real value for money.

Provided you limit your expectations somewhat when choosing any low priced product, for the most part you should find the product often exceeds them.

When it comes down to it, the best choice is to spend what you can afford.

If you can afford an indoor zero gravity chair or zg massage chair, you will find they are far more comfortable and better quality than any of the outdoor zero gravity chairs available, hence their high price.

If you are happy to splash out a little on a outdoor zero gravity chair from a top brand like Lafuma, you will likely be very satisfied by the much higher quality of workmanship and are certain to receive a solid and comfortable outdoor chair that will last for a number of years.

If you are however limited to what chair you can afford, spending less than $100 is still going to get you a fairly good quality and comfortable product, that should last a fair amount of time without any deterioration.

With a little effort, you can also increase the longevity of the chair by getting in the habit of folding it up and storing it, rather than leaving it out in the wet weather, decreasing the chances of rust and wear on the frame.

One of the main complaints when it comes to the cheaper zero gravity chairs around, tends to be due to the chair breaking under pressure.

In my personal opinion this is probably more down to consumer not respecting the maximum weight capacity of the chair.

This is particularly true for chairs that have a number of positive reviews, certain chairs simply would not get such high ratings if their listed weight capacity was incorrect.

On the rare occasion a retailer or manufacturer does list an exaggerated weight capacity for a chair, you will soon see them change it to a more realistic figure after buyers and reviewers start to question it.

Occasionally when opting for a cheap zero gravity chair some buyers may find they receive a dud chair, although most manufacturers will have a warranty or guarantee in place to protect against this. This however should not put you off buying a more affordable zero gravity chair, as it is very rare that you will receive a faulty product.

Where can I find the Best Rated Zero Gravity Chair for under $100?

At My Zero Gravity Chair we have complied a couple of lists to help you find the best low priced anti gravity chairs currently available.

We recommend taking a look at our list of the best low priced zero gravity chairs here where you will find the cheapest standard sized zero gravity recliners, cheap sets of 2 outdoor zero gravity chairs and low priced oversized zero gravity chairs. All of the chairs listed here are very well rated choices and many are available for under $100.

You may also be interested in taking a look at our roundup of the best zero gravity recliners currently available. Here we have a number of low priced options and have a section that highlights the top choice of zero gravity recliner under $80.

As you will soon see, you do not have to buy a top of the range Lafuma zero gravity chair to enjoy the zero gravity position in complete style and comfort.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Can You Really Improve Your Posture for $30?

July 6, 2017
Improve your posture

How Good is your Posture?

Like many who work at a computer all day, I have developed some bad posture habits over the years.

When sitting at a desk or while standing up, I am constantly having to remind myself to stand or sit in a more upright position. When I am not focused on my posture, my shoulders and back always hunch into an unnatural position.

It also feels as if the left side of my body naturally positions itself lower than the right, especially if I am not constantly making an effort to improve my posture.

For

me, sitting at the computer is when I really notice how much I slouch.

On multiple occasions throughout the day, I find myself hunched over my desk. I am constantly leaning forward on my computer desk, resting my elbows or arching my back when typing away on the keyboard.

Even after I have corrected the way I’m sat at my computer, it doesn’t take long for my bad posture habits to unconsciously reappear a few minutes later.

 

Most days it is not uncommon for me to use my inversion table or gravity chair after being sat at my desk for a long length of time.

After a period of prolonged heavy slouching, I find inversion to be more preferable over using a zero gravity chair to help relieve my upper back pain. Inversion is after all, a little more aggressive when it comes to stretching out the spine, whereas a zero gravity chair is often a little too passive for my liking.

Using an inversion table regularly obviously isn’t ideal for everyone, nor is having to use one numerous times a day. Preventing poor posture in the first instance, is clearly a far more preferable choice, rather than having to rectify it later.

Using a Posture Corrector

Working with My Zero Gravity Chair I spend a lot of time looking around the internet for products that can benefit my health, help with back pain and that I can write about.

When I first saw the range of posture correctors available I must admit I wasn’t particularly blown away. The majority looked fairly simplistic and since many were available for around $30, I was fairly skeptical that such a low priced product could be beneficial.

One thing that really stood out were the majority of reviews that were incredibly positive on certain products. You can see some of the best reviewed choices I found listed at the bottom of the page.

As is often to be expected with most products of this manner, there were many who appeared to feel that posture correctors were amazing for realigning their bad posture. While on the contrary a small minority disagreed, highlighting that certain posture correctors were a waste of time or too uncomfortable to use.

For such a low price though, I was prepared to give one a shot. If it did turn out to be garbage I could always at least write a blog post about my experience whether it was good or bad.

My Initial Thoughts

The posture corrector I chose was the Diamond Active model (shown at the bottom of the page). I opted for this model because it appeared to have better and more positive reviews overall, even though it didn’t have as many reviews as other correctors available.

Overall it took me a couple of minutes to figure out how to use and apply the posture corrector. I found the product fairly self explanatory and straightforward. Also from looking at other peoples reviews, no one appeared to have mentioned any issues with the application either.

I read a lot of reviews on different posture correctors. On some products there were always a few complaining how hard the corrector was to put on. Personally I can’t really relate to this, especially since there appeared to be very little room for error.

I could however see how some posture correctors may be a little hard for certain people to adjust, and how someone less flexible may need a little assistance when doing so. For the majority however, it probably shouldn’t be an issue.

At first, the corrector does take a little getting used to. It does feel a little restrictive and putting on a t shirt over it isn’t as straightforward as usual.

Once the corrector was in position I felt the effects almost instantaneously. My shoulders were pulled back and it was quite an eye opener to feel and compare the difference with how my shoulders naturally slumped forward.

What I Liked about using a Posture Corrector

Using a posture corrector I could instantly see in the mirror what a difference it made when compared to my usual posture. The fact I could clearly see the difference in my posture was the first sign that it hadn’t been a waste of money.

One of the other noticeable benefits of the posture corrector, was that it acted as a constant reminder that I should be sitting and standing more upright.

The posture corrector was very quick and easy to use, and considering the low price I was very surprised how immediately effective it felt.

Although the posture corrector does take a little getting used to, within a few days I was happy to tighten it quite significantly without any discomfort. When using the corrector on a tighter setting it also felt like it was making more of a difference.

The main thing I loved about the posture corrector, is that after a while your body seemed adapt more to the stance you were in when using it. Even when you were not wearing it.

After a few days of using the corrector for fairly lengthy periods of time, I could clearly see how slumped my shoulders were previously without it. I also started to notice the more I used the corrector, the more my body would appear to maintain better posture when I took it off.

In the past when I stopped thinking about my posture, my shoulders would naturally slump forward. But even after using the posture corrector for a week this started to happen a lot less. Whether this was due to my brain being more subconsciously aware, or due to my body remembering good posture thanks to the posture corrector I do not know. Perhaps it was a little of both.

Does it stop you hunching over a computer desk?

When standing upright I quickly noticed my bad habits cease. However when at my computer, I still found myself regularly leaning forward and arching my back when the corrector was present, especially when focusing in on something on screen. Overall though, my body would remain more upright than usual when I was typing.

With the posture corrector present my shoulders were always pulled back, but physically it didn’t prevent me from leaning forward and slouching when seated at a desk. On the other hand as I mentioned earlier, it regularly served as a reminder to sit more upright when at my computer.

Overall when I am sat at a desk, I have been slouching a lot less than usual when wearing the posture corrector. When I take the corrector off I can see that it is making a significant difference. However, I haven’t noticed as greater change in my seating posture when compared to my improved posture while standing up.

I hope after another couple of weeks of using the posture corrector, the desk slouching will stop altogether. Although it seems my desk slouching habit is a little harder to break free of.

What Could be Improved?

Although the pros (in my opinion) far outweigh the cons when it comes to using a posture corrector, there are a few features that could be improved a little.

The most noticeable problem for me was that the corrector is pretty uncomfortable to wear when your body is hot and clammy. After taking a hot shower the feel of the corrector was unbearable and felt too restricting. This is a fairly minor issue however, as you can simply wait a few minutes to cool down a little and it is fine. It is also not much fun to wear on very hot days.

The posture corrector does take some time to get used to and at first, it isn’t particularly comfortable. I can imagine some people would buy the posture corrector and after a few minutes feel it is too restrictive and therefore not use it again. Over time however, you do get used to having it present and you simply have to persevere a bit. It isn’t the most natural feeling, but you do eventually get used to it.

Some will find that their posture corrector may be a little uncomfortable on the armpit area. This complaint seems to be fairly common and appears to be the main reason for some of the negative reviews on the Voelux model (shown at the bottom of the page). Some designs are going to be better than others for comfort, personally I didn’t have much armpit discomfort once I was more familiar with the design.

After a while you will also learn what level of tightness more preferable to you. Once I had become accustomed to the corrector, I found having it on tighter setting was far more preferable for me and it felt a lot more beneficial.

When it comes to whether you can wear your posture corrector under your clothing, it seems fairly dependent on what design you choose.

The Diamond Active posture corrector I opted for isn’t too easy to hide under a t-shirt but should be OK under looser fitting clothing. Where as designs such as the Gavimax and Voelux look a little less bulky should you wish to wear them more discreetly. You can view all of the posture correctors mentioned here at the bottom of the page.

One last point to make, is that it is worth reading other buyers posture corrector reviews to make sure the size listings are fairly accurate in general. On one product I looked at, many complained that the sizes seemed a little off and recommended that no matter what size you were, you chose the size above to avoid too much restriction. The sizing on certain models appear to be one of the biggest reasons for negative reviews.

Do Posture Correctors Work?

It is fairly plain to see from most buyer reviews, many find posture correctors to be highly effective. I’m also incredibly surprised how good they really are considering their low prices.

After using my posture corrector for a week or so I can honestly say I am still amazed by the difference it has made.

It is true that it isn’t going to work miracles or cure a bad back. If however you suffer from slumped shoulders or often slouch they are a great way to help your body learn good posture while standing or when sat at a computer. They are also a great product to use, if like me you are a fan of using an inversion table.

Below I have listed some of the best rated posture correctors available and I would recommend that you take a look at the reviews on visiting the retailer.

One thing you will notice on each product is the amount of positive reviews praising how effective these simple devices are.

When it comes to the negative reviews on posture correctors you quickly see a pattern. Most who rate the products negatively complain due to sizing issues, the corrector being uncomfortable or due to the user finding it too hard to adjust.

As I have mentioned earlier it does take time getting used to and it is a little strange and uncomfortable at first. It may also take a brief amount of time to learn how to adjust the posture brace correctly, without any discomfort.

Some of the Best Rated Posture Correctors

The 4 choices below are some of the best rated posture correctors currently available on Amazon. You can also find a wider range of options on visiting the retailer.

Truweo Posture Corrector

Gearari Posture Corrector (Universal)

Selbite Posture Corrector 

Gearari Posture Corrector (Regular)

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Timber Ridge Padded Oversized XL Zero Gravity Chair Review

June 7, 2017
Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - Earth

When a outdoor extra large zero gravity chair like this comes along it is always a refreshing change.

If like us you find the majority of outdoor zero gravity chairs to be lacking in style and fairly incomparable due to their similar looks and design. The Timber Ridge oversized padded zero gravity chair should be one that really stands out, both in looks and functionality.

Although there are cheaper oversized zero gravity chairs available on the market. Very few of them are able to compete with the good looks and ample specifications that the Timber Ridge extra wide zero gravity chair possesses.

So just what makes the Timber Ridge oversized zero gravity lounger a more preferable choice of contemporary outdoor furniture? When compared to many other extra large anti gravity recliners available.

The Weight Capacity

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - EarthThe first thing many will notice when looking for an XL and extra wide zero gravity lounger for the outdoors, is the size and capacity of the chair. While many extra large zero gravity chairs always feature a wider seating area than the standard style of chair. It is often surprising that many are not capable of holding a little extra weight.

The Timber Ridge xl padded anti gravity chair however, does not disappoint and features a large 350 lbs weight capacity. As you will see in the comparison table on our extra large zero gravity chair 2017 buyers guide, most extra wide oversized gravity recliners tend to have capacities of 330 lbs.

It may also come as a surprise to you that a great many oversized zero gravity loungers have a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs! A weight capacity that is fairly standard on most regular sized zero gravity outdoor chairs.

If you are looking for a strong and sturdy extra wide zero gravity chair. The Timber Ridge chair is a very wise choice in our opinion. Especially when compared to other XL variations that have lesser weight capacities.

Please note that the Blue and Earth variations of the chair (pictured left and center above) can hold 350 lbs. The camouflage variation (pictured above right) has a weight capacity of 300 lbs.

Overall looks, design and comfort

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - EarthAs touched on slightly above, the market has become fairly saturated with low budget zero gravity loungers that all look very similar. Oversized zero gravity chairs all produced in similar colors with black plastic armrests have become very common. So when a contemporary outdoor chair like this comes along, it certainly catches the eye.

The multi tonal design is what makes this chair really stand out when it comes to looks. In addition to this, the wooden armrests also make this an outstanding and modern zero gravity chair for the outdoors.

When compared to other outdoor zero gravity loungers the Timber Ridge chair also has the advantage of having a padded seating area. A feature not often found on many zero gravity chairs from other brands. Many will agree that the comfort provided by this particular xl padded zero gravity recliner, is far superior to the comfort provided by other textilene style outdoor zero gravity loungers.

The Price

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - EarthWhen compared to other extra large zero gravity outdoor chairs it is true that the Timber Ridge oversized zero gravity chair is a little more pricey. However taking into account the higher quality of this particular extra wide zero gravity chair and the fact it is padded, you can see why it costs a little more.

For this sort of zero gravity recliner the price seems to be about right. It is not going to put a huge dent in your wallet and it is much less expensive than opting for an XL chair from the Lafuma zero gravity chair range. Many are also unlikely to feel like the Timber Ridge chair is bad value for money due to it’s very good quality and design.

The strong and durable nature of this anti gravity recliner really shows since it has such a large weight capacity. It is also one of the highest weight capacity zero gravity chairs currently available for the outdoors.

Overall this chair is likely to be a better investment in the long run when compared to other oversized anti gravity loungers available. We would certainly say this is one of the best extra large zero gravity chairs currently available and the extra $30 – $40 really shouldn’t be too off putting to most.

What Other Buyers are Saying

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - BlueThe most notable and frequent compliment about this anti gravity recliner is how comfortable it is. Many are pleasantly surprised by just how comfortable the padded seat is and most are surprised that an outdoor recliner is capable of this level of comfort.

Another point that frequently comes up in the Timber Ridge zero gravity chair reviews from buyers, is the strong design and secure weight capacity.

The majority of buyers of this anti gravity chair consider it to be one of the best zero gravity chairs around. Many highlight how attractive the chair is and consider it to be of a very high quality. As you would expect from a product that has received 5 out of 5 stars from 80% of buyers at the time of writing.

As is always to be expected with any product there are a few negative reviews and these generally seem to be centered around the chairs ability to be left outdoors and remain in good condition. Timber Ridge however do state that these chairs should not be left out in the elements. It is often advised with any zero gravity chair that it is taken inside during wetter spells, to prevent any problems such as those encountered by the few that have had cause to complain.

One other slight issue some have is the weight of this particular recliner. Weighing around 21 lbs in weight, it isn’t a hugely portable option for some. This however is generally the sort of weight you would expect when opting for a padded oversized zero gravity chair. The bulky design and heavier weight is also something that is fairly common in well made chairs that provide a great deal of durability. When compared to other brands extra large models, this Timber Ridge zero gravity chair only weighs about one pound extra, so there really isn’t too much additional weight at all.

Specifications

  • Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
  • Chair Weight: 21.2 pounds
  • Package Size: 36.6 x 26.7 x 7 inches
  • Back of the chair: 26.77 inches
  • Depth: 21.26 inches
  • Seat Width: 21.26 inches
  • Adjustable Max. Length: 64.96 inches
  • Seat Fabric: 600D Polyester / 600D Polyester Rip Stop
  • Frame: Steel tubes
  • Colors Available: Blue / Earth

Please note the Camouflage variation shown at the top of the page on the left has different specifications and a lower 300 lbs weight capacity. You can view the specifications for the camouflage variation on visiting the retailer below.

Overall

All in all this chair in our opinion is one of the best XL zero gravity chairs currently available and it is no wonder it has received such great reviews.

 

What we love

  • The strong design and sturdy frame really set this chair apart from the rest. The 350 lbs weight capacity is in our opinion one of the best features about this chair and that’s without taking into account it’s good looks and stylish design.

 

  • The extra padding on the seat of the chair is another excellent addition not found on many other oversized anti gravity recliners. If exceptional comfort is what you require from your outdoor recliner then the Timber Ridge zero gravity lounger chair is unlikely to disappoint.

 

  • The stylish seat design and wooden armrests. If you are fed up with seeing the same black and tan zero gravity recliners then the earth and blue designs of this recliner should really catch your eye. The wooden armrests really add a little extra personality and even the included cup holder differs from the majority of the other products around.

 

  • The large size is great for anyone who loves a little extra space and should be perfect for anyone taller or wider. Perfect for anyone looking for an extra wide or extra long zero gravity chair.

 

  • The price, in our opinion this is just right when the quality of the chair is taken into account. A padded gravity chair that is very good value for money, considering it is only a few dollars more than most XL zero gravity recliners.

 

  • It is a large zero gravity chair that reclines back a fairly decent amount. It is a common problem these days that many find their zero gravity chair does not recline back as much as they would like. As you can see from the image above in the weight capacity section this zero gravity chairs reclines to an amount most should find suitable.

 

Whats not so great

  • Although we do not consider this a problem some may do, all be it a very minor one. Like many extra large gravity recliners this isn’t that great for carrying around by hand. Portability does generally seem to be one of the main issues most have with extra large zero gravity chairs. However at present this chair weighs around the same weight as the majority of other XL outdoor gravity chairs listed on our site.

 

  • Does not hold up to wear and tear well if left outdoors in bad weather. This is something that is often true for most zero gravity outdoor chairs and is fairly easy to avoid. If you make sure you fold the chair up for storage during bad weather you should find that you experience no problems with deterioration.

Overall Rating for the Timber Ridge Extra Large Zero Gravity Chair: 4.6 / 5

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

A Guide to Inversion Therapy

April 11, 2017
Inversion Therapy the guide

Introduction

Inversion therapy is something I have been using on a regular basis for some time now and Inversion is something I have found to be beneficial for me personally, when combating my back problems.

Since some of the visitors to My Zero Gravity Chair may be back pain sufferers, I have decided to create a full guide on inversion tables and inversion therapy to help them decide whether inversion may be a good choice to help with their own problems.

Since around 2010 when I was in my late 20’s I have suffered a fair amount with back pain, however in more recent years I have found a number of solutions that appear to ease the pain temporarily, as well as remove my back pain completely, sometimes for weeks at a time.

When my back pain first started I was working full time in an office job.

Although it started off as a fairly minor discomfort, it gradually became more of an issue that affected me on a daily basis, with pain and discomfort often being present from the moment I woke up.

It was throughout this period of time in my life that I started looking around for solutions to ease my back pain and in around 2011 I bought my first basic inversion table.

Before we get into everything you need to know about Inversion therapy and inversion tables I need to point out that inversion therapy is not for everyone.

There are some risks involved if you suffer from certain medical conditions.

I will list all of the risks below in a full section, however if you are interested in trying inversion therapy and are slightly concerned.

It is always a good idea to discuss with your doctor or a medical professional whether inversion is suitable for you.

While I have tried to be as thorough as possible when listing all of the potential risks of inversion therapy, I am not a doctor or medical professional.

This page is written only to be a guide, highlighting what pros and cons I have personally found when using an inversion table.

Always check with your doctor if inversion therapy may be a good choice for you.

What is Inversion Therapy?

Inversion is a process in which the body is flipped either completely upside down or to an inverted angle via the use of a hanging device such as an inversion table or inversion / gravity boots.

When using an inversion table or gravity boots, your body is held in an upside down or angled incline position, hanging by the legs and ankles from the secure supports on your inversion device.

Hanging upside down creates a natural traction using the effects of gravity.

This allows the user to fully stretch their body in an effortless manner, working in harmony with gravity rather than against it.

A brief history of inversion

Although inversion seems a relatively new idea it is in fact a practice that has been around for a great many years. Early evidence of its use has been found pictured on stone seals from around 3000 BC.

The ancient Greeks are also known to have experimented with inversion techniques using ropes and pulley devices to suspend patients from a ladder, enabling the stretching out of their bodies and realignment.

Around 400 BC Hippocrates of Kos, who is considered the father of Western Medicine, experimented with traction techniques using devices such as the Hippocratic bench that would also stretch out the body in order to correct spinal alignment via the use of ropes and winches.

Both of these devices however, were taken advantage of in later years. When used excessively they became effective torture devices used to damage individual’s rather than heal them.

It was between the 1960’s and 80’s when inversion started to make its way into the mainstream starting with the Gravity Guidance System created by Orthopaedic specialist Dr Robert Martin Sr M.D.

The Gravity Guiding System revolutionized how back problems were viewed and could be treated.

For the first time those who suffered from back pain had a solution to combat back problems from the comfort of their own home, using either gravity boots or via one of the first manufactured inversion tables.

Throughout the 1980’s gravity boots started making their way into films such as American Gigolo, 1980 and Batman, 1989, further adding to their popularity.

In more recent years Inversion therapy has become used by many on a regular basis in their homes.

High quality brands such as Teeter have made inversion therapy accessible to all through their manufacture of a range of inversion devices.

How to use an Inversion table

Using an inversion table really isn’t as complicated as it may look at first.

Most inversion tables are likely to come complete with either a manual or a DVD to show you exactly how to assemble the inversion table and how to use it.

Even the first cheap inversion table I bought years ago came complete with a DVD allowing me to quickly learn a lot about Inversion therapy and how to use the table correctly.

Due to the large variation in price of inversion tables, you will find that some of the cheaper inversion tables do not feature some of the more premium features.

Such premium features can be found from brands such as Teeter, however, you will find that the points listed in the following guide tend to generally apply to all inversion tables that are available.

Adjusting the table to accommodate your height

All inversion tables have a feature that allows you to adjust the length of the table to suit your height.

On average most inversion tables tend to cater for users between the heights of 4’10” to 6’6”.

Before using an inversion table it is important to set the leg support to the correct length to match your height in order to allow for a better motion of inversion and provide better balance.

When an inversion table is set at a length that is shorter than your body height, the user will invert far too easily and quickly which can be quite dangerous and a fairly unpleasant experience overall.

This becomes especially troublesome if you do not have any safety features in place on your table designed to limit the incline angle.

You will also find it will be a lot harder to return to an upright position once you have inverted.

On the other hand if you are for example, 5 ft 8” and you set the table to accommodate a user with a height greater than this, it will be a lot harder to invert.

If the height difference is too great you may not be able to invert at all.

Setting the inversion table to match your height is a must if you want the table to balance you in the safest manner possible and make the inversion process as effortless as it can be.

Inversion safety features

Depending on the type of inversion table you opt for you will either have a safety strap, a side inversion pin system or a lever locking system such as the disk break system (pictured) on the Ironman iControl 600.

These safety features are in place so you can control and limit the angle at which you invert at, preventing the table from inverting at too great an angle.

Ironman iControl Disk Brake System

For the most part, inversion tables will feature the nylon strap system that will need to be adjusted before getting onto the inversion table.

The shorter the strap length setting is, the smaller the angle of incline will be.

Out of all the options listed the nylon strap system tends to be a little less convenient because every time you need to adjust the strap you must dismount the inversion table to do so.

Some of the systems used by more expensive tables can be controlled and adjusted while positioned on the inversion table making them a little more hassle free.

Generally these days I do not feel the need to use any of the safety features when using my inversion table since I am now comfortable enough to invert fully without any problem.

However if you are new to the world of inversion then safety features should not be overlooked, especially on your first few sessions.

foot and ankle supports

Once the height is correctly set and the safety features are in place you can position your feet on the footrest at the lowest point, securing your ankles into the plastic ankle holds or between the foam padded bars (depending on what style of inversion table you have).

Some inversion tables use the spring bolt method to allow the user to adjust how securely their ankles are locked in place.

This method is very similar in design to the height adjuster bolt found on most tables.

On some of the more expensive tables available you may find there is an easier to use patented system in place.

The Teeter EP-960 features the EZ-Reach Ankle System (pictured below) whereas Ironman Fitness inversion tables such as the IFT 4000 use the Ratchet ankle palm operated locking system (pictured below).

Standard Ankle Locking System on inversion table
Standard Ankle Locking System
Teeter EP-960 EZ-Reach Ankle System
Ironman Fitness Ratchet Ankle Lock System
Ironman Fitness Ratchet Ankle Lock System

The Process of Inversion

With the feet and ankles securely in place and the height adjustment correctly set for your stature, simply leaning back on the inversion table while holding on to the safety handles will allow you to move into a more horizontal position on the bed area.

Once in the horizontal position my personal preference is to rock back and forth gently in order to let the blood start flowing a little into the upper part of my body.

I often find, even when only inverted at an angle of around 20 degrees, that if I haven’t let my body adjust by rocking beforehand, the rush of blood to the head can be a bit uncomfortable.

I also find that this is a good measure to take after every inversion session.

Once the session is complete I simply rock band and forth for a couple of minutes in the horizontal position to help me avoid any strange feelings of light-headedness or discomfort.

Another technique I use to avoid discomfort is to not fully invert for the entire session.

If I am inverting for a period of around 10 minutes I will lever myself back into a more horizontal position for a quick break every minute or so, before continuing for another short burst of inversion.

This is another good method that I have found helps to relieve the feeling of too much pressure building up in the head.

When you feel comfortable enough to do so, you can start to invert by lifting your arms above your head and in doing so you will shift the weight of the table making it invert.

By moving the arms back towards the mid-section you will return to the horizontal position allowing you to adjust the angle without the use of the safety handles on either side of the table.

Inversion shown on a health gear inversion table

Inversion shown on a Health Gear Inversion Table

Once you are used to the feeling of inversion and learn how to handle your inversion table you will find inverting a fairly effortless affair and after a few sessions on an inversion table you will probably become more adventurous in regards to how far back you invert.

I must admit when I started using inversion it wasn’t the most comfortable experience and the build-up of pressure in my head felt a little weird at first.

However, after a few sessions I felt a lot more comfortable hanging at higher angles.

Eventually hanging from a more vertical angle wasn’t an issue at all.

If you are still a little unsure about any of the aspects of how to use an inversion table you can find a number of videos on Youtube that feature demonstrations of inversion on a wide range of inversion tables.

Although the inversion process may seem a little daunting at first, I can assure you that it is a lot simpler than it may appear.

The majority of users should feel fairly comfortable with the inversion process after only a handful of sessions.

The Key Benefits of inversion

As we have mentioned a great deal on My Zero Gravity Chair it is often surprising the amount of pressure that is put on your spine when going about your day.

When in a standing or seated position the amount of pressure placed upon the spinal discs is fairly significant and even when lying flat on your back there is still pressure present.

In addition to this Gravity does not just affect your spine and back, it can also affect and play a part in circulation issues and contribute to height loss throughout your lifetime.

Using an inversion table is a way to achieve negative pressure upon the spinal column.

This makes inversion an ideal solution for stretching out the spine and decompressing the discs in your spine, while also relaxing muscles and reducing stress.

Although it is likely that the majority who use an inversion table will find it does help with their back problems, do not assume this true for all back issues.

Before considering inversion therapy, remember that back problems vary a great deal and while many are likely to find relief from inversion therapy, there may be some individuals who have certain back issues that may be exacerbated from using an inversion table.

Always check with your doctor before jumping straight into inversion therapy to ensure you do not have any serious conditions or problems with your back that may in fact be aggravated when using an inversion table.

Also be sure to take a look at the next section where we have listed some of the risks of inversion therapy and some of the reasons certain individuals should avoid it.

Spinal Decompression

One of the main contributing factors to back pain is spinal compression, which is caused by gravity and other daily activities placing pressure upon the spine and our muscles.

Spinal decompression can also lead to decreased flexibility and cause painful pressure on the nerves.

The spine is constructed of a series of bones named vertebrae that are connected by ligaments and muscles.

The vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs that have a soft gel like substance in their inner core.

The jelly like substance allows the discs to act as shock absorbers that provide cushioning throughout your daily routine as well as providing spinal mobility and flexibility.

Within the gel like nucleus in the center of each disc, water is held by sponge-like molecules.

The disc relies on the transfer of fluids and nutrients from the surrounding vertebrae in order to stay healthy.

However on a daily basis increased pressure and repetitive strain upon the discs slows the transfer of fluids and nutrients leading to disc degeneration and dehydration.

Over the period of a day these discs lose moisture and shrink due to the forces of gravity pushing the vertebrae closer together, squeezing fluid out of the discs into surrounding tissue.

This causes the spinal column to compress and can cause more bone on bone activity, as well as other problems including uneven pressure placed upon the discs which can lead to bulging or herniated discs.

It is for this reason that on getting out of bed most of us will measure a half inch to an inch taller in height than we do by the end of the day.

While we sleep, some of the lost fluid soaks back into the discs, however, over the course of your life vertebrae will move closer together as less fluid is returned to your discs during slumber.

As we get older the percentage of water content within the spinal disc decreases which causes thinning of the discs.

Due to disc thinning and the fluid only being partially reabsorbed each night, it is not uncommon for many people in their senior years to lose between 0.5 to 2 inches in height.

Decompression of the spine through inversion allows the vertebrae to open up making it easier for the disc to draw in the fluids and nutrients it needs in order to maintain good disc height and hydration levels.

The reduction of pressure on the spine may even help with bulging or herniated discs since it can draw the gel like material of nucleus back into place.

Due to inversion being a great way to decompress the spine I often find using an inversion table particularly satisfying after doing a workout involving weights or after being sat at a desk for the majority of the day.

Although I do tend to notice the lengthening of my spine whenever I invert, I do feel that after a day involving either of these activities you really notice the difference hanging upside down makes when it comes to straightening out your spinal column.

Maintained Height

When I first started doing research into solutions that could improve my back pain, the main thing that stood out when learning about inversion tables, is that many online were claiming that you could increase your height with inversion.

From doing a quick search on the web you will find videos and articles claiming that regular inversion has enabled the individual to grow taller through inversion or increase their height, although rarely to a massively significant degree.

So can inversion increase your height?

For most individuals natural growth in height stops in their teens, usually around the age of 16 for males and 15 for females, therefore if you are over 20 and hoping to add a number of inches to your stature or encourage further natural growth from inversion therapy you are likely to be disappointed.

However, after reading the section above on spinal decompression, it should be fairly clear why individuals make the claims that through regular inversion they have seen an increase in height of about an inch.

Measuring yourself in the morning is an excellent way of seeing how your height increases and decreases due to spinal compression.

I regularly measure myself first thing in the morning and again nearer the evening to compare the difference.

On some mornings I find I am as much as an inch taller than when I measure myself at the end of the day just from getting a good night’s sleep.

When inverted you are able to help the discs recover faster than when you are in a horizontal position, as well as allow them better access to the moisture they need.

This helps to regain the lost height from the gravitational pressures put upon the spine throughout the day and in turn helps to combat the effects gravity has on your height over the duration of your lifetime.

With regular inversion the intervertebral discs are able to maintain their regular disc height and in turn maintain an individual’s height more effectively, by helping to keep that extra inch or so that most of us lose throughout the day.

So can inversion make you taller?

Technically yes however, probably not in the manner some may expect.

You are not going to see any miraculous body transformations from doing inversion regularly although you may find you can slightly increase your height to its true potential.

One interesting story to note on this issue is how a female journalist in the UK increased her height from 5 ft 2” to 5 ft 4” using a London Gym named A-Grow-Bics using a combination of methods including Yoga, Pilates and Inversion, the exercise system also uses rack type contraptions similar to the Hippocratic bench (mentioned above).

The owner of the gym has also claimed that he has increased his own height by 1.5” – 2” from 5’7” to 5’9”.

You can read the full article here.

Improvement in Posture

If you suffer from bad posture your muscles are constantly working harder in an effort to keep you balanced in an upright position.

If your body is badly aligned muscles can become tight and inflexible, impairing their ability to cope with the pressures that are excerpted on your body daily.

As we have found out in the above section, hanging upside down is a great way to realign and combat the compression of the spine.

Which in turn helps to relax and loosen up the surrounding muscles making it an easier task to make changes to bad posture habits such as slouching.

Poor posture is a lot more damaging to health than many may first assume and although many are aware that poor posture can sometimes be linked with back pain and scoliosis, most are unaware that it can even affect vital organs such as the lungs, making them less efficient.

It can even influence a person’s mood and confidence levels.

Whether you choose to improve your posture with or without the use of inversion, it is a worthwhile step in the right direction, especially if you suffer from any form of back pain.

Increased Blood Circulation

In a similar fashion to how a zero gravity chair can help increase circulation by raising the legs, using inversion is also a good way to aid your cardiovascular system.

As is explained in our guide to zero gravity chairs, when we are standing upright or in a seated position, oxygenated blood is able to flow easily from our lungs to our legs and lower body.

However once the blood is deoxygenated, the body has to work against the forces of gravity to send blood back from the lower body to become re-oxygenated.

Conversely when your body is flipped upside down, you become positioned in a manner that allows your body to work in unison with gravity’s force.

The inversion process allows waste filled blood from the lower regions of the body to return back to the lungs so it can become oxygenated and cleansed more easily than when you are standing or seated in an upright position.

Continued use of an inversion table may help with other circulatory problems that are also caused by gravitational effects.

Conditions such as varicose veins may improve since the upside down positioning may help to drain the blood more easily from veins that have enlarged.

Inversion can also help with improved circulation to the brain and head.

Some of the problems that may result from poor circulation include headaches and a lack of energy.

Poor blood flow to the brain and head may even affect memory and may cause some hair loss problems.

Improved Lymphatic System function

The lymphatic system helps to rid the body of waste, toxins and other waste.

The Lymphatic system also helps us to fight infections by transporting white blood cells around the body in fluid named lymph.

Unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart to pump blood around the body, the Lymphatic system requires movement from muscles and vessels to function and pump lymph throughout the body.

Inversion allows lymph to be transported more easily and can prevent the stagnation of fluid that can occur in tissues.

Inversion therefore may help to accelerate the removal of waste from the body and could also help to boost the immune system.

In Summary

Provided it is used wisely, inversion can be a very beneficial practice to many.

Helping with a wide range of back and muscle problems, as well as helping with stress and posture.

In recent years there have been increasingly more studies conducted that look into some of the benefits of inversion.

Research conducted over a few years by the US Army Physical Fitness School found that soldiers who used gravity boots regularly healed more quickly from joint damage and suffered less joint related injuries.

In another 2007 study by the Newcastle University Hospital in the UK, researchers studied the effects inversion therapy had on participants who suffered from Sciatica and who had been told they needed an operation to fix their back problems.

The subjects were divided into two groups with the first group regularly using inversion alongside physiotherapy while the second group only received physiotherapy.

The conclusion of the study found highly beneficial results with the group of patients that used inversion, stating the first group was 70% less likely to require the surgery.

You can see a PDF of this study here or read more about the study here and what celebrities use inversion.

A quick internet search will also show you there have been studies that suggest inversion can help aid in the passing of smaller kidney stones.

The Risks of Inversion

As mentioned earlier in the article, inversion therapy is not for everyone and can be harmful especially if you have high blood pressure or other vascular system or heart problems.

Although hanging in an inverted position can often be beneficial to the circulatory system and skeletal system, for some, the increased pressure can be incredibility disadvantageous.

It is recommended, even if you feel that you are fully fit, to consult a doctor or medical professional before trying inversion therapy.

If you do suffer from back problems do not assume that inversion will automatically help.

Ensure you check with a doctor to see if they feel inversion may be suitable to ease your particular back issue, as some back pain may be worsened by inversion rather than helped.

I myself, even after years of doing inversion occasionally find it a little uncomfortable due to the rush of blood to the head causing a shift in pressure.

I have also experienced a tight throat when inverted and have found it uncomfortable to swallow on occasion.

As mentioned earlier, it is for these reasons that I rock back and forth in the horizontal position for a couple of minutes before inverting.

I find this is a good way of getting the blood flowing to my upper body in a more comfortable manner rather than inverting straight away.

If you suffer from any of the following medical conditions or if any of the list below applies to you, avoiding inversion is probably the wisest option and at the very least you should certainly consult your doctor before using an inversion table.

  • Heart Disease / Heart problems
  • Hypertension / High Blood Pressure
  • If you are Pregnant
  • If you have a Spinal Injury / Bone disease
  • If you suffer from visual problems such as Glaucoma, Retinal Problems or Conjunctivitis
  • If you have suffered a Hernia
  • Ear Infections
  • If you are obese – most inversion tables have a recommended weight capacity of around 300 – 350 lbs

We recommend you also take a look at this video to learn more about the risks of inversion.

Some other points to consider

Due to the increased pressure in the brain and head, newer users may experience problems such as headaches or dizziness, however provided you are in good health these problems are likely to only be temporary.

If you are just starting out with inversion therapy, ensure that you start with small incline angles for only a couple of minutes at a time, gradually building up to slightly longer inversion sessions at an increased angle.

Although many who talk about inversion state that they tend to invert for around 10 minutes at a time, in general I personally find inverting for less than 5 minutes each session just as advantageous and a lot more comfortable and tolerable due to the pressure build up in the head.

Throughout these 5 minute periods I will often take regular breaks for a few seconds, returning to the horizontal position before inverting for another minute or two.

If you are older or on the large side, you will need to be more careful when using an inversion table.

If you are larger ensure that the inversion device you are using has an adequate weight capability for your body size.

Also if you are older or even if you are a beginner to inversion, ensure you start off with smaller inversion angles. It is a good idea to have someone on standby to help you.

In Summary

While the majority will find inversion tables can help to reduce their back and muscle pain on a daily basis, the therapy is certainly not suitable for everyone.

Some may also find that using inversion does not provide them with a long term solution to completely rid them of any back issues they may have.

Always ensure you seek professional advice before using an inversion table if you do have any health problems.

After reading this section if any of the health issues mentioned do apply to you it would be a good idea to dismiss inversion therapy as a method to ease your back pain.

Also use a little common sense and caution if you do feel you have any issues that may be aggravated by inversion rather than aided.

Inversion Table Buyers Guide

Best Inversion Tables ($300 +)

As you would expect the more expensive inversion tables that cost in excess of $300 tend to be the best of the best of what is on offer.

In this price bracket you will find professional level inversion tables from top quality brands such as Teeter and Ironman Fitness.

At this price you are unlikely to find tables from lesser known manufacturers as they simply can’t compete with the competition.

It is for this reason you are unlikely to find a sub-par inversion table for this price unless it is vastly overpriced.

When talking about inversion therapy and inversions tables it is hard not to mention the brand name Teeter.

Without any exception inversion tables made by Teeter are widely regarded as the best there are.

In head to head comparison tests with other inversion products, Teeter models were proven to be the best in performance and quality when assessed using a model based on UL safety requirement standards.

The independent Teeter comparison test was conducted by Dynamark Engineering in 2010 and focused on the endurance, strength and assembly time of a Teeter inversion table when compared to 4 competing brands.

As you can see from the image below the results were fairly astonishing, with Teeter inversion tables putting the other tables tested to shame in every instance.

The tests also found the Teeter model was far easier to assemble in a much shorter space of time.

Results of the Teeter strength test when compared to 4 competing brands.

Teeter EP-560 vs Teeter EP-960

Teeter EP-560 Ltd Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-8 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Acupressure nodes and lumbar bridge included
  • Ergo embrace ankle supports
  • 5 year warranty
  • Rating: 4.7

Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-8 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Acupressure nodes and lumbar bridge included
  • EZ-Reach ankle system
  • Traction handles and stretch-max handles
  • 5 year warranty
  • Rating: 4.8

Overview

When searching for a Teeter inversion table these two options are the most popular choices on the market.

On first appearances these two tables do appear fairly similar; however the EP-960 does have some better features when compared to the similarly priced EP-560.

Some of the main differences between the two models are that the EP-960 features larger expanded side handles for better assistance when inverting. This also allows for further stretching options.

The 960 also features the “EZ-Stretch” traction handles on each side, allowing the user to push the handles in order to leverage further manual decompression of the spine.

The traction handles are especially useful to help with and allow better spinal decompression if you only invert at smaller angles.

Traction handles can also be used for rhythmic oscillation that involves applying pressure upon the handles then releasing in a repetitive manner.

Perhaps the most notable feature the Teeter EP-960 has when compared to the EP-560 is the “EZ-Reach Ankle System” which is an extra-long handle to secure your ankles in place.

Although this feature may seem somewhat insignificant, it makes the Teeter EP-960 a more preferable option if you have back pain, removing the need to bend down as much as you would on most other inversion tables.

Both the Teeter EP-560 and the EP-960 are very good options to consider and there really isn’t too much difference in price. However, with its extra features the EP-960 in my opinion is the better choice overall.

Both inversion tables from Teeter have received numerous buyer reviews on a number of retailer websites and almost always get great reviews with the vast majority of buyers rating them with a 100% score.

The Teeter inversion tables have been UL safety certified and FDA cleared as Class 1 medical devices. They also come with a full 5 year warranty.

In conclusion, although some find the Teeter inversion table range a little overpriced they are much lower in price than they used to be.

When compared to their competitors the price difference really isn’t huge, especially when their high quality is taken into consideration.

For me, and many others, Teeter inversion tables are viewed as the best available.

In the long term they are likely to provide good value for money and be a long lasting investment.

Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table
Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table
Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table
Teeter EP-960 Inversion Table

Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-9 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Far Infrared Ray Heat Therapy
  • Palm activated ratchet ankle locking system
  • Large safety handles and incline safety strap
  • Inverting handle grips
  • Rating: 4.6

Overview

Into one good looking table, the Ironman IFT 4000 combines a lot of the great features from other tables in the Ironman Fitness range.

The IFT 4000 has a comfortable 2.5 inch padded backrest that features a FIR (Far Infrared Rays) heating system built in.

Ironman Fitness states that the FIR system may help to increase blood circulation and help relieve stress.

The FIR heating system is also considered to be safer than other traditional heating elements with no unhealthy electromagnetic concerns.

You can control the heating system using the remote control provided and also adjust the duration and temperature of the heat using the LED display control.

Other notable highlights of the Ironman IFT 4000 are the palm activated ankle system and the inverting hand grips for easier inversion positioning and additional manual stretching once inverted.

The strong 350 lbs weight capacity is another stand out feature, should you be looking for an inversion table capable of holding a little extra weight than average.

Unlike some of the heated inversion tables I have come across, there is a great deal of positivity towards the heating function on this particular inversion table.

Many buyers mention how good the heat feels and consider it to be an effective feature that further helps to ease their back pain.

If you are looking for a stable and well-made inversion table, the Ironman IFT 4000 is a very durable table to consider.

The large weight limit alone makes it a great choice and with the additional features taken into consideration, such as the luxurious heat function and inverting handles, this is an inversion table that will satisfy anyone looking for a high-end inversion table.

Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 4000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table

Best Inversion Tables ($150 – $300)

The majority of inversion tables on the market are priced in this bracket.

For this price you can usually expect to find some fairly good inversion tables that have some useful features included.

In General, inversion tables costing over $150 are a better choice than the budget options due to their additional features, with some having built in heat or vibration massage functions.

Inversion tables in this price range are also likely to have a more comfortable padded bed area and tend to have a better level of construction overall.

Having opted for a low priced inversion table for my first table, I would recommend that choosing an inversion table within this price range is likely to be far better value in the long run, rather than opting for a budget table that may not compare in features or quality.

If however, you are looking to spend under $100 on a table take a look at the next section as there are a couple of tables listed at very competitive prices.

IRONMAN Fitness Gravity 4000 Inversion Table (Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table)

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-9 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Extended backrest with lumbar pillow
  • Ratchet ankle locking system
  • Large safety handles and incline safety strap
  • Rating: 4.7

Overview

Ironman Fitness proudly boast that the gravity 4000 inversion table is able to hold the highest amount of weight when compared to other tables, making it a very sturdy and well-made option to consider.

When looking for the best inversion table, the two manufacturers that are the most talked about are Ironman Fitness and Teeter who both make highly rated, stand out models.

It is no coincidence that the majority of recommended inversion tables listed on this page, are from these two brands.

From the Ironman range, the 4000 has to be one of the best and most popular inversion tables, having received very positive reviews from many who have bought it.

Users often complement its comfortable padded bed, straightforward assembly and exceptional build quality.

The ratchet ankle lock system is also a really nice feature on the Ironman 4000 making the inversion table very accessible to mount.

Overall there is very little that can negativity be said about the Ironman Fitness gravity 4000.

It is fairly apparent by the numerous 5 star ratings that the inversion table has received, that many others are in agreement.

IRONMAN Fitness Gravity 4000 Inversion Table
IRONMAN Fitness Gravity 4000 Inversion Table
IRONMAN Fitness Gravity 4000 Inversion Table
IRONMAN Fitness Gravity 4000 Inversion Table

Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Memory foam backrest with padded head pillow
  • Universal Lumbar Pad for Hot/Cold Compress (Hot/Cold Compress NOT included)
  • 5 angle pin adjustment system
  • Rating: 4.6

Overview

The Innova ITX9700 is often available at a reduced price so it could really be listed as a budget table on some occasions.

However I have listed it in this category based on its standard retail price.

For me, the highlight of the ITX9700 is the memory foam bed area which is a nice and fairly luxurious feature that provides a good level of comfort when compared to other models at a similar price.

The pin adjustment system is also a great touch, especially if you like to build up your inversion angle throughout each session without having to adjust a safety strap like on other models.

Probably the biggest let down on this particular inversion table is the ankle holders.

The cup shaped plastic holders feature on both the front and back of the leg supports and for some this may be an issue when it comes to comfort, particularly if you like to invert without any shoes on.

When this inversion table is at a reduced price it is very good value for money and certainly one to consider if backrest comfort is high up on your list of priorities.

Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table
Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table
Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table
Innova ITX9700 Memory Foam Inversion Table

Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Advanced infrared heating system
  • Safety handles and incline safety strap
  • Rating: 4.4

Overview

If you ignore this inversion table’s primary feature it is a fairly standard inversion table in many respects.

The main highlight of this inversion table however, is what makes it stand out from the crowd.

The Ironman IFT 1000 inversion table features a built in Far Infrared Ray (F.I.R) heat therapy system to gently heat and soothe the users back while they invert.

The heat therapy function can be controlled using a remote control allowing for easy adjustment when inverted.

The table also includes a LED display control so you can see and adjust both the time (0-60 minutes) and temperature (90-140 degrees F) of the heating system, as well as turn it off when not required.

According to the manufacturer, the gentle heating system on the IFT 1000 has the potential to increase blood circulation and decrease stress levels.

They also state that it may help to relax muscles and due to the increased circulation it can speed up the healing process of injured or aching muscles.

Also unlike traditional heating methods the F.I.R heat function has no unhealthy electromagnetic concerns.

Overall if you are not particularly interested in a heating function then this is a fairly standard inversion table without many other stand-out features to speak of.

However, if you are looking for an inversion table with a heating function, many have fallen in love with the heating system on this model making it a good choice to consider.

The only real complaint some have with this inversion table is that the heating element does take a while to heat up (10 – 15 minutes).

If you like the sound of this model because of the FIR heat function, then you may want to consider upgrading to the Ironman IFT 4000 which is featured in the $300+ list.

Although the 4000 costs a little extra it does have some additional features and a higher weight capacity of 350 lbs.

Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table
Ironman IFT 1000 Infrared Therapy Inversion Table

Ironman iControl 400 Disk Brake System Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Patent pending iControl disk braking angle system
  • Stretching bar on the frame
  • 1.5 inch soft foam backrest
  • Rating: 4.5

Overview

I’m a big fan of the Ironman iControl 400 despite it’s slightly lower than average weight capacity of 275 lbs.

One of the main features I love is the inversion stretching bar situated on the back of the table frame.

As someone who often uses dumbbells and kettlebells to fully stretch out my back when I am inverting, the built in stretch bar looks like a great feature to have.

The disk braking system is also a feature that in my opinion sets this inversion table apart from others on the market.

The disk brake provides complete control over your inversion angle and can be adjusted effortlessly and easily to invert at any angle you require.

The one thing I find a little off-putting about this table is that the disc brake system doesn’t look as solid in design as the rest of the table and although the brake system may be one of the best reasons to choose this table, it does appear a little fragile.

Overall though, many have found this to be a very well made table and it has received numerous 5 star ratings.

Ironman iControl 400 Disk Brake System Inversion Table
Ironman iControl 400 Disk Brake System Inversion Table
Ironman iControl 400 Disk Brake System Inversion Table
Ironman iControl 400 Disk Brake System Inversion Table

Best Inversion Tables (Under $100)

Surprisingly the inversion tables that fall into this price range are not as disappointing as many may expect.

I was fairly surprised to see some of the features a couple of these cheap inversion tables under $100 had to offer.

Generally speaking, the number of inversion tables available for under $100 are quite limited, however if you are happy to spend an extra $20 – $50 the choices available are a lot more plentiful.

If you are just getting started with inversion, opting for a table that costs in the range of $80 – $150 may be a good choice if you are not prepared to invest too much money.

Although one downside may perhaps be that if you do start to take inversion more seriously, you are likely to want to upgrade your entry level at some point.

In the long run it may potentially be better value for money to opt for a more expensive model from Teeter or Ironman Fitness in the first instance.

Innova ITX9600 Heavy Duty Inversion Therapy Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Patent Pending protective cover
  • Padded adjustable headrest and padded backrest
  • 5 position adjustable safety pin system
  • Rating: 4.6

Overview

The Innova ITX9600 inversion table is one that really stood out to me in this price range, mainly because it features an inversion pin system to limit the angle of inversion.

This to me is a real benefit when compared to using the nylon safety strap that I expected to see on most of the budget inversion tables.

The pin system can be adjusted while staying on the inversion table, removing the need to dismount the table to adjust the incline angle as you would with a nylon strap.

Some other reasons this low priced inversion table caught my eye was due to the padded bed area and adjustable padded headrest which in my opinion, make it look like a far more expensive inversion table.

If you have ever used a budget inversion table that features a thin unpadded bed area, you will quickly see why the pin system and padded bed on this Innova model make it seem so superior for the price.

This is the top pick in my opinion if you are looking to spend less than $100 on an inversion table and by looks and features alone I feel this inversion table should cost more.

Judging by the popularity of this inversion table and all of the positive consumer reviews I am clearly not the only one that is impressed by this very well priced inversion table.

Innova ITX9600 Heavy Duty Inversion Therapy Table
Innova ITX9600 Heavy Duty Inversion Therapy Table
Innova ITX9600 Heavy Duty Inversion Therapy Table
Innova ITX9600 Heavy Duty Inversion Therapy Table

Exerpeutic Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Soft Comfort foam backrest
  • Tether safety strap
  • Pull pin release height and ankle adjusters
  • Rating: 4.5

Overview

Although the Exerpeutic inversion table isn’t the best looking inversion table on the market, the very low price combined with the padded foam backrest make it a very popular and well rated choice to consider.

For the most part the only feature that really separates this inversion table from the other low budget options available is the foam padding on the bed area.

Other than this, the Exerpeutic inversion table is a fairly standard model that features the standard safety strap system.

Much like the Innova inversion table this inversion table is incredibly good value for money, especially when compared to how much very similar models are being sold for.

I again feel this is an inversion table that should in theory cost more, and alongside the Innova ITX9600, it is a stand out product in this lower price range.

Overall if you are looking for a comfortable inversion table available for under $100 the Exerpeutic table is a great choice that has exceeded the expectations of many who have bought it.

Exerpeutic Inversion Table
Exerpeutic Inversion Table
Exerpeutic Inversion Table
Exerpeutic Inversion Table

Confidence Fitness Inversion Table

Features & Specifications

  • Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
  • User height range: 4ft-10 in to 6ft-6 in
  • Safety strap
  • Pull pin release height and ankle adjusters
  • Rating: 4

Overview

The Confidence Fitness inversion table is very similar to the first inversion table I owned and although it really isn’t the prettiest model it does provide good functionality overall.

When compared to the other two options available in this section, most are unlikely to opt for this model mainly due to the fabric bed area looking a lot less appealing than the padded variations.

However one notable difference is that this model features a foam padded ankle support on the back and the front of the ankle holders.

The other two low priced options feature curved plastic holders on the back support which tends to be less comfortable for many. This is a fairly minor difference however.

Another reason that this inversion table is not quite as preferable is the weight capacity is potentially lower than the other two options.

Although on some retailer’s websites the stated capacity is 300 lbs, the seller of this table has stated it is in fact 220 lbs.

If you are not concerned with the lower weight capacity or padded bed area then this may be a nice entry level inversion table for you.

The inversion table is easy to assemble and despite the lower weight capacity it has a fairly durable and strong design.

I have also seen inversion tables from other manufacturers that are almost identical to this one but are being sold for around $60 more, thus making this model very good value in comparison.

Conclusion

As you can see from the buyer’s guide, inversion therapy doesn’t have to cost a great deal and even if you opt for one of the best inversion tables on the market you are unlikely to spend a great deal more than $300.

For me, buying an inversion table was a step in the right direction to help with my back problems and although the relief I get from my inversion table is often only temporary, it is always welcome.

Provided you do not have any of the issues highlighted in the risks of inversion section above, and you use inversion therapy sensibly and correctly, the use of inversion may be a worthwhile consideration for anyone who suffers from back problems on a daily basis.

Throughout writing this article I have used my inversion table on numerous occasions and over the last few years I have not found a better way to stretch myself out after a workout or after a day of being sat at a computer desk.

If you have been inspired to give inversion a try and are perhaps not in the best of health or are a little unsure if inversion is a good choice for you, then ensure that you check with your doctor or a medical professional before taking any further steps.

Although I have personally found inversion to be a great help for me, it certainly isn’t a quick fix or solution that will suit everybody.

Being overly cautious is a far better option than investing money into it, then later finding out that inversion isn’t suitable for you, or is in fact detrimental to any particular back issues or health problems you may have.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Looking for a Lightweight Zero Gravity Chair?

January 20, 2017

If you are looking for the best folding zero gravity recliner to travel with, then the weight of the chair may be something that is important to you, especially if you need to carry the chair by hand. Below you can compare zero gravity chairs and find some of the most most lightweight zero gravity chairs available that should suit anyone looking for a more portable solution to anti gravity reclining outdoors.

The most lightweight standard sized Zero Gravity Chairs

Sunnydaze Zero Gravity Chair (Various Colors Available)

  • Individual chair weight: 15 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs

The most lightweight zero gravity chair that we know of, weighing only 15 lbs. The only problem with this outdoor zero gravity chair is that due to it’s lightweight construction the weight capacity is a little less than the next best lightweight chair in a similar price range by Caravan Canopy. If the low weight of the chair is what is most important to you then this red zero gravity chair from Sunnydaze will probably be ideal for anyone looking for a more standard sized anti gravity recliner chair. This Sunnydaze folding zero gravity chair is available in a range of colors and can also be bought in a set of 2 zero gravity lawn chairs.

Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair (Various Colors Available)

  • Individual chair weight: 18 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs

A lightweight chair that is capable of holding a much greater weight capacity. We always have great things to say about the zero gravity chairs on sale from Caravan Global (Canopy) as they often have great reviews from a great deal of buyers. Available in a number of color variations the Standard sized infinity zero gravity chair is one lightweight gravity chair that many will enjoy. Find out more about the standard sports infinity anti gravity chair here or click the button below to visit the retailer and read reviews. The extra large variation of this chair is also a very lightweight zero gravity folding chair weighing 22 lbs and is also often considered one of, if not the best zero gravity outdoor chair.

Caravan Canopy Sports Infinity Beige Zero Gravity Chair

Lafuma Zero Gravity Chair (Various Colors and Styles Available)

  • Individual chair weight: 15.7 – 24 lbs (dependent on model, 24 lbs is for the XL variations)
  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs (Sometimes higher depending on model)

High quality and lightweight, many of the standard sized zero gravity chairs in Lafuma’s range weigh 17.2 lbs or less. As we have said many times on this website the exceptional quality of the Lafuma outdoor zero gravity chair collection makes them a great choice, the only downside however is perhaps the price. Lafuma remain one of the industry leaders in the manufacture of zero gravity lawn chairs and are very popular, with many happy to spend a little extra cash based on the often excellent reviews the gravity chairs receive. Take a look at some of the Lafuma anti gravity chairs we have listed on our site here!

Lafuma LFM3057-6717 Futura Zero Gravity Recliner - Silver Frame with Black Iso Batyline Fabric

Lightweight Anti Gravity Chairs also worth a mention:

Odaof Zero Gravity Recliner (Various Colors)

  • Individual Chair weight: 20 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs

View the Odaof range of zero gravity recliner chairs here or Visit the retailer to view prices and reviews here.

Outsunny Zero Gravity Recliner (Various Colors)

  • Individual Chair weight: 20 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs

View the Outsunny range of zero gravity recliner chairs here or Visit the retailer to view prices and reviews here.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

My Experience with Earthing for Back Pain

July 7, 2016
The positives of grounding

What is Grounding/Earthing?

Grounding is the idea that the earth is capable of supplying our bodies with electrons which we can gain from placing our bare feet on grass, dirt or concrete. It is said to be most effective if the ground is wet or damp.

Just like the vitamin D our bodies get from the sun new research suggests that we can now get similar health benefits from the earth. That can help reduce pain, stress and inflammation as well as lead to a more improved sleep.

You may wish to take a look at this short video here on YouTube to find out more, or visit heartmdinstitute.com for a more in depth explanation.

My Experience with grounding

I admit when my friend first told me about grounding (or earthing as it is also referred to) my first thought was that it was most likely nonsense, as many others who have not tried it would probably agree.

At the time of the conversation I was not in the position to “ground myself” on a daily basis since I had no garden or outdoor area where I lived and lived no where near a beach. In addition to this I worked 5 days a week in a full time job leaving me very few opportunities to walk around bare foot.

Around 6 months passed and I was still complaining of my back pain regularly when I received a gift from my friend, a grounding mat.

I felt bad at first as I felt she had wasted her money on me, but out of politeness I thought I would give it a go and set it up under my keyboard so my wrists were in contact with it whenever I was on my home computer in the evenings.

Generally a few months ago on a daily basis my upper back pain was a constant source of discomfort to me and more often than not made me feel terrible for the majority of the day.

Usually by around 16:00 the pain would often become unbearable and as soon as I was able, I would either recline in my gravity chair in my living room or use my inversion table.

Since I had felt like this for such a long time I had learnt to cope with it and knew what to expect most days when I woke up.

Much to my surprise after the first day of using my grounding mat I woke up the next morning feeling somewhat refreshed.

And for a change it was one of the rare days when my back pain wasn’t as prominent as usual. Since this did happen occasionally I didn’t think much of it and went about my day continuing to use the mat in the evening.

Again to my surprise the next day I awoke feeling pretty good, another good nights sleep and again my back pain was barely noticeable, this continued for the rest of the week.

Ever the skeptic, I thought this must be due to some kind of subconscious placebo effect caused by the idea of the mat, rather than the earthing mat itself.

I was still far from convinced that this mat could provide me with any health benefits whatsoever, however I continued to use it as even if it was only helping me on a psychosomatic level it was still working to reduce my back pain problem.

The real change in my opinion of grounding came when my bad back returned during the end of the second week of using the grounding mat.

I had been using it regularly on a daily basis and had started lying on it for an hour or so before bed with no complications until then.

When I woke up that day the pain was back as if it had never been away, assuming the placebo effect was over I ceased using the mat for a few days.

It was when I realized the connector for the grounding mat had dislodged from the adapter plug I gave it a second thought. It appeared for the few days before I had been using the mat without it being correctly connected.

I decided to give the mat one last chance making sure every time I moved the mat that the connector stayed in place.

I have now been using the grounding mat for over 2 months and my back has never felt better in the the last 10 years of having daily bad back issues, as the weeks go by I am slowly ruling out the placebo theory that I first considered.

While I am not promising every experience will be similar there really is no reason not to give earthing a chance, especially since all you really need is a patch of earth, grass or even concrete and a bit of spare time to get started.

If you are bound to a computer or workstation all day I truly believe an earthing mat is a great idea and hopefully like me, if you are a little skeptical you may change your mind after you have tried it for yourself.

The earthing mat I have been using is available here and judging by the reviews and ratings for this simple yet effective piece of kit, I am not the only one who has been convinced by the benefits that can be found from grounding oneself.

I highly recommend taking a look at what others are saying about this mat since you will see evidence that I am not the only one who has been enlightened. You can also find a range of other grounding products available including sheets for your bed, pillowcases and other mats.

I am sure many may continue to remain negative with regards to earthing for many years to come. There are likely to be many like myself who may choose to dismiss it as nonsense without giving it a go.

I am truly thankful to my friend for opening my eyes to earthing and only wish I had taken the idea more seriously sooner.

Currently with the daily use of my earthing mat, my zero gravity chair and my inversion table, my back pain has been significantly reduced and I no longer need any pain relief.

I feel the best I have for 10 years and haven’t woken up with painful spinal muscles for 2 months (aside from the few days the mat wasn’t properly connected).

As much as I love zero gravity reclining I must say that my earthing mat is one of the most effortless and effective tools in my arsenal to combat my back problems and I often combine the two to access the many healthy benefits available.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

4 of the best Zero Gravity Recliner Chair Accessories

July 7, 2016
Sundale Outdoor Folding Zero Gravity Chair with Canopy - Navy Blue

With zero gravity chairs becoming more and more popular in both the home and the garden manufacturers are making everyone’s lives a little easier by creating a number of useful accessories that can be used with your zero gravity chair as well as some great solutions to help prolong the use you can get from your zero gravity chair! Below you will find our round up of what we feel are some of the most useful and best zero gravity chair accessories that are available.

 

Attachable side tray for zero gravity patio chairs

The first accessory is one that many anti gravity chairs often have included with them but for those of you that own a chair already that does not have an attachable side tray this cheap and handy accessory is a great feature especially if you are planning on relaxing for a long time. We consider the Prime Products Utility Tray to be one of the best side trays available mainly due to it’s low price and due to it’s ability to hold 2 drinks and 2 cellphones or iPod’s simultaneously.

While it is unlikely to add much style to a zero gravity recliner, for such a low price you cannot really go wrong if you are searching for an inexpensive way to hold your personal items while relaxing in the sun.  The side table is able to attach onto any patio chair that features an A frame, meaning it will fit all of the anti gravity patio chairs that we have listed on our site securely. There are many other zero gravity chair side tables to choose from but for the price alone it is not hard to see why this one sells often!

 

 

The Best Outdoor Side Table

If you need a little more space than an attachable side table can offer, for a little extra cash you can pick up a larger outdoor folding side table that can be set up right next to your zero gravity patio chair. While there are quite a few side tables to choose from our personal recommendation is the 30 by 20 Inch Lifetime Folding Personal Table in white since it doesn’t look specifically like a piece of garden furniture meaning it wouldn’t look out of place if also used indoors. The table features 3 adjustable height settings of 21″, 24″ or 26″ allowing the user to position it optimally when relaxing in their patio chair making it easier to reach for their drinks or accessories. The table is easy to store as it will fold up along side your anti gravity recliner and is very lightweight and easy to carry, weighing only 10.5 lbs any relaxation enthusiast can transport and use the portable garden table anywhere they need. At a very low cost this table would be a perfect addition for couples to place in between their pair of zero g patio recliners giving both users a lot more space than if they had to simply rely on an attachable table.

This durable and sturdy table costs a very small amount and is a popular outdoor side table currently on Amazon.com. While it may not be the prettiest table around it is more than capable of holding a large amount of weight, however if you do have a problem with the aesthetics of the table another good looking option to consider may be the Caravan Sports Textilene Table that costs a little extra but may compliment your anti gravity chair a little better.

 

Extra Large Zero Gravity Chair Carry Bag

From Faulkner this black Zero Gravity Chair Carry Bag is a perfect solution for those wishing to take their anti gravity chair to the beach or use their patio chair somewhere other than the comfort of their yard. Although the carry bag is made by Faulkner it is an ideal size to fit any standard or XL zero gravity chair, measuring 41″ (Length) x 28″ (Height) x 6.5″ (Width) many say this carry bag is even large enough to easily fit 2 standard sized anti gravity recliners at the same time.

The carry bag features a strong reinforced strap that has an easy to carry ergonomic support handle allowing it to be easily carried comfortably on the users shoulder. The bag has a vented design allowing the chair to stay ventilated and stop mold and mildew from effecting the contents. At a low price this carry bag is a perfect and cheap choice for anyone wishing to transport their recliner and keep it safe from dirt and damage.

 

 

Replacement Lacing for Anti Gravity Chairs

If you have owned a zero gravity chair for a number of years and are not yet ready to buy a new one, replacing the bungee laces is a great way to make the 0 gravity recliner look and feel as good as new! From Faulkner this Black Replacement Lacing works not only with Faulkner and Lafuma zero gravity chairs but with a wide range of other brands as well as extra large and oversized outdoor anti gravity recliner chairs.

The elastic cord laces feature molded metallic ends to ensure easy re-lacing is guaranteed, each pack comes with 4 pieces of lace that is enough to replace the cord on one patio chair, 2 laces are used for the leg rest area and the other 2 for the backrest area. The replacement cord comes complete with easy to follow instructions and for the majority re- lacing their gravity chair should be no problem at all. These replacement laces are a great way of breathing new life into recliners where the lacing has become damaged and slack.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Do you need a Regular sized or an XL Zero Gravity Chair?

July 7, 2016
Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - Earth

When searching for a zero gravity lawn chair you may be wondering whether to opt for an extra large variant of the chair or the standard version. While the standard sized version should be fine for most, if you are partial to a bit more space, or concerned that 300 lb weight capacity may be too little for you an extra large zero gravity chair is probably a good option especially since it won’t set you back too much more than a standard sized 0 gravity chair.

When it comes to comparing the best oversized zero gravity recliners at our zero gravity store we have chosen what we consider to be the best 5 extra large zero gravity chairs available which you can see in our recommended chairs section,  the first and most straightforward thing to look at is the weight capacity that each chair can hold and compare it to it’s standard sized variation, provided it has one.

The average weight capacity of a standard sized zero gravity chair is often around 300 lbs, in fact nearly every chair that is listed on our site in the shop area, has a weight capacity of 300 lbs at least with the exception of Orbital zero gravity loungers which tend to hold between 250 – 300 lbs. The truth is Oversized and extra large chairs don’t actually hold that much more weight than regular sized anti gravity lawn chairs, often holding somewhere between 300 – 350 lbs, the largest weight capacity for an outdoor zero gravity recliner currently is the Westfield Outdoor XL Zero Gravity Chair which is capable of holding a maximum of 350 lbs. With the second highest being the Caravan Sports Infinity Oversized Zero Gravity Chair able to hold 330 lbs.

Timber Ridge Oversized XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair - Earth

 

The main thing to consider when looking for a zero gravity chair if you are on the larger side is the space in between the armrests and the width of the seating area! The majority of oversized anti gravity chairs have a seating area of around 24″ with the seat fabric usually measuring between 20 – 22 inches wide. Compared to a standard version of a zero gravity chair where the width between the bars is usually around 19 – 20″ with the seat area being approximately 17″ on average.

We advise that if you are concerned that the standard sized zero gravity chairs may be too small for you, perhaps get a tape measure and see how long 17″ actually measures, if it seems you probably will not fit you really need not worry that extra large zero gravity chairs are going to set you back a lot more money than the regular sized chairs as in many cases you can pick one up for a little more and have piece of mind that you will not need to return the chair if it is too small to accommodate you.

Some other things to consider are also that just because a zero gravity chair is listed as oversized or XL it does not necessarily mean it is longer! Many extra large variants of standard sized zero gravity chairs are the same or a very similar size in length and it is only the width of the chair that will differ. While this should not be a problem for many, anyone over 6 foot tall may encounter that when reclined their feet may hang over at the bottom of the chair, while this may only cause slight discomfort buying an extra large gravity lounger may be a way to rectify this, especially if you have experienced this problem with regular sized zero g chairs in the past. If you are over 6 feet tall a good idea would be to look at the comments and reviews section of each individual chair you are considering and read what other tall users have said, many are more than happy to let fellow users know their height and weight to help others get a good idea of how effective the garden chair is. You can also check the length of the standard sized and XL anti gravity chair when reclined as many manufacturers will list this and it is a great way to compare and see if there is any difference in length.

Last and maybe least importantly the weight of the anti gravity chair will often differ with the extra large chair weighing usually a little more than a smaller standard 0 g chair. For the most part oversized chairs will only weigh about 3 – 4 pounds more and of course due to the wider width will have larger dimensions when folded. Unless the space in the trunk of your car is very limited this issue is unlikely to have any impact of how easy the chair is to transport or carry.

If you have read this and are sure that a more roomy extra large anti gravity patio chair is a good fit for you, why not take a look at our recommendations highlighting what we consider to be the best 5 XL or Oversized zero gravity chairs available to buy in the US!

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Is an Orbital Recliner as effective as a Zero Gravity Patio Chair?

July 7, 2016
Belleze Folding Orbital Zero Gravity Recliner - Ocean Blue

If you take a look around our site and their orbital zero gravity chair loungers have caught your attention you may have noticed that it doesn’t appear orbital loungers are capable of reclining into the true zero gravity position. Take a look at the video below to see what we mean and compare the position to the The Zero Gravity Position shown here.

While it is true there are some zero gravity chairs for the patio that are unable to allow the user to achieve a full zero gravity position where the feet are lifted above the head allowing for increased circulation and less pressure upon the spine the majority of them do a far better job than an orbital zero gravity chair will do.

So why do manufacturers label their orbital zero gravity chairs as zero gravity if there are unable to achieve zero gravity position? My personal belief is that the manufacturers are referring not to the position that the orbital chair places the user into but rather the feeling of weightlessness that is gained when relaxing in the chair. This is also something to look out for when buying standard zero gravity chair for the patio, although you can be assured that when buying a zero gravity massage chair or a more expensive indoor zero gravity chair, both will be able to recline the user into the full zero gravity position.

Belleze Folding Orbital Zero Gravity Recliner - Green

It is always a good idea to read what other users have said about their experience when using the chair as there are also some of the standard zero gravity recliner chair models that do not achieve the full zero gravity position also and are named zero gravity chairs simply due to the weightless feeling felt by the user.

While orbital chairs possess all of the aesthetic European design features that are guaranteed to complement your outdoor area if you do suffer from back pain and are hoping to purchase a zero gravity chair to ease it, do take into consideration that a zero gravity orbital lounger may not be a good fit for you. However if it is simply relaxation and a good-looking chair to use indoors or out that you are after a orbital zero gravity lounger can provide high comfortability and looks far more unique and stylish than many of the standard zero gravity patio recliner chairs.

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Zero Gravity Loveseat or a Pack of 2 Zero Gravity Chairs?

July 7, 2016
Best Choice Huge Folding 2 Person Zero Gravity Chair

Many agree that sharing is a good thing that should be promoted at every opportunity, however on occasion it may be more beneficial not to share your zero gravity chair. Like many I suffer from lower back pain as well as occasional upper back pain, aside from using my inversion table, my main go to device to help to ease this pain is my anti gravity chair. I have it set up exactly how I want it allowing it to maximize the relief I gain from sitting in it, as well as take away the pressure from the specific points on my spine. Like many zero gravity recliner chairs for the patio my zero gravity chair features locks allowing me to keep it set to my specific tastes allowing me to recline into the best position for me and hold it there.

As much as you love your family it may be a good idea to ban them from using your zero gravity chair, especially if it is locked to your personalized settings. A good solution to this may be to buy additional zero gravity recliner for other family members. While you may consider buying a zero gravity loveseat some may decide against it especially if your family members or friends prefer to recline at different angles to each other, this is one of the first things that loved ones should consider when deciding on whether to buy a two-person zero gravity loveseat or set of two anti gravity recliners. Considering you can often pick up up a two pack of zero gravity chairs for less money than a two person zero gravity chair, price really doesn’t come into it a great deal.

Best Choice Products Zero Gravity Chair Set Of 2 Black

A Zero g loveseat is often a great choice for your outdoor area if you and your partner are fairly easy going with regards how far you recline together. However, if you do suffer from any type of back pain then it is probably a much better choice to opt for a set of 2 zero gravity chairs that can be fixed into position with a dual finger tip locking system! Just like those in the Caravan Canopy range and many other top brands that you can find for the patio on MyZeroGravityChair.com. Sets of 2 chairs are also great if you are having guests over since brands such as the Outsunny range are so cheap that you can pick up a set of 4 chairs for very little, a real money saver if you are looking for inexpensive patio chairs that can be adjusted and locked at any recline angle.

The Caravan Canopy and Outsunny zero gravity chairs are just a couple that feature lockable reclining at multiple angles but there are a number of other brands of zero gravity chair that will also lock, make sure you read the product descriptions before deciding on a purchase though as not all anti gravity recliners have this handy little feature!

Best Zero Gravity Chair Reviews & Blog

Inversion Therapy for Back Pain

July 7, 2016
IRONMAN Gravity 4000 Highest Weight Capacity Inversion Table

Teeter 970 LTD Inversion TableWhen it comes to relaxing and healing my back pain my zero gravity chair isn’t the only weapon in my arsenal. Although a zero gravity chair is perfect to use passively when relaxing in my garden or my living room there is another object I use regularly when trying to ease the stresses of gravity on my back.

While it isn’t as relaxing as my zero gravity chair, my inversion table is a godsend, the main benefit to using an inversion table is that whereas the zero gravity chair eliminates the stress gravity puts my back when using an inversion table you are reversing the effects of gravity but spine, you are in a sense making gravity work for you.

As you may have already read on our website, throughout the day your back is constantly having to deal with the forces of gravity placed upon it no matter what you are doing. The zero gravity position is a perfect way to eliminate this gravity therefore easing the stresses put upon your spine. When using an inversion table you are suspended upside down and therefore going against the gravitational pull help your spine to elongate as well as taking any pressure completely off it. Inversion therapy really is a great way to take the pressure off the muscles surrounding the spine and although it is not as relaxing as a zero gravity chair when used together on a daily basis they really can work wonders to re align your spine into it’s rightful position.


Just like your seated position in a zero gravity chair, inversion therapy elevates the legs and therefore when using an inversion table you can enjoy all of the benefits that you get from a zero gravity chair. Benefits of using a zero gravity chair or inversion table include improved posture, as both of these back saving devices help realignment of the spinal column and aid in restoring the body’s natural posture. Both also improve blood circulation helping your body to transport oxygenated blood around it more easily and more effectively.

Many often question if inversion table can make you grow taller? While strictly speaking the table will not make you grow, due to the inversion therapy process lengthening the spine it is not uncommon for people who use inversion therapy on a regular basis to gain as much as an inch in height with regular usage. As stated earlier technically this is not growth but simply elongation of the spine, on a daily basis the average adult loses around 0.5 to 2 inches in height throughout the day, on jumping out of bed I measure around an inch taller than I do at say around 5 pm, after a period of time on my inversion table it is not uncommon for me to measure a couple of cm taller than before the therapy.

The Inversion Table I use is the Invertio Premium Folding Inversion Table  which didn’t set me back much cash but was really worth it, while I did feel quite dizzy after using it the first few weeks from all of the blood rushing to my head after a bit it became fairly natural for me just to hang upside down whenever I had a few minutes free. Combined with my Caravan Canopy Zero Gravity chair, my inversion table has really helped my back issues that have bothered me for the last 5 years and although I do still have my bad days these two pieces of equipment have helped tremendously. You can find more inversion tables here at Amazon starting from some affordable prices, regular usage of either a zero gravity chair or inversion table comes highly recommended by me!

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