Whether you’re new to inversion therapy or on a budget, the Teeter FitSpine X1 is the inversion table for you. It’s well-priced at a little over $300 – no, I wouldn’t consider one of the $100 ones on Amazon.
Teeter makes the best inversion tables. They’re safety-certified and UL-tested to be durable. Plus, the 8-pt floating suspension bed is firm but flexible, so you can stretch and move as you need to while getting relief from your back pain.
The ankle-locking system is comfortably padded to hold you by your ankles. Inversion tables certainly put you in a vulnerable position, but you don’t have to feel uneasy or uncomfortable when using the X1.
If you’re looking for a quality inversion table, you’ll want to keep reading this review.
Teeter FitSpine X1 Review: Bottom Line
Dimensions/Storability
We all know how hard it can be to find the room to store yet another piece of equipment. But, the X1 folds down small enough to fit in a closet, making it great for anyone, even those who are short on space. Keep in mind since it uses heavy-duty materials, it is a little heavy and awkward to move.
The Teeter FitSpine X1 folds and can be leaned up against a wall for storage.
It may also be too tall for closets with certain shelving configurations. I personally fold mine up and put it in my walk-in closet, but I have several friends who also keep them next to their treadmill or other home fitness equipment.
For storage, the X1 does not have to be leaned up against the wall. We have pictured it leaning here for display, but if you slightly leave the legs of the frame separately, it will stand on its own. This is very convenient for upright storage.
No matter where you keep it, It’s easy to fold the X1. You flip the bed all the way back then simply walk the rear feet towards the front feet, and it’ll fold up nicely.
Build Quality
The Teeter FitSpine X1 has the same overall build quality as Teeter’s other inversion tables.
Frame
Teeter went above and beyond with their frame design and construction. The X1’s frame is made from heat-treated 11-gauge steel, which makes this inversion table extremely strong and stable.
With a 300 lb weight limit, you won’t have to worry about it being wobbly or not supporting you. It can handle more than just hanging. You could use this unit to do some upside-down sit-ups or find other ways to add it to your workout routine.
Bed
The bed is designed with an 8-point suspension system that is comfortable, supportive, and well-designed. The bed will flex with you through the various stretches you can do. So if you’re twisting to stretch your mid-back, the bed will move with you to offer more support and help you maintain a good comfortable stretch.
The FitSpine X1 also has one of the best beds that we’ve used on an inversion table.
You’ll notice that the X1 doesn’t come with any sort of padding on the bed and honestly, I didn’t even miss the padding. Some other brands may offer memory foam pads or the like but those can interfere with the spinal decompression effects of the table.
Acupressure Nodes
By placing the node in the right area, you can essentially perform your own Pressure Point Therapy. This can be an excellent solution for those who can’t seem to get rid of those stubborn knots. A little disclaimer: It’s best to place these after knowing where your problem areas are. If you just throw them on and lie down, you could end up laying on a nerve or putting pressure on a bone.
What I do is after I find a knot, I have somebody place the acupressure node for me so that it hits the knot directly. This has saved me a lot of painful shifting and guesswork. But if you don’t have anybody who can help you place it, you can use trial and error to get the node in the perfect spot.
Something to note is that the darker the color of the acupressure node, the more protruding and intense the experience. So if you have an extra sore spot, try starting out at the lightest color node first and work your way up from there.
You should be careful when trying this out for the first time because they can be a bit painful until you get the hang of the placement and desired pressure.
Ankle Lock
The support uses a pin ankle enclosure. This means you pull the pin to adjust the cups to fit around your ankles. The cups themselves are lined with a comfort foam that prevents chafing and discomfort while also keeping you secured to the inversion table. You adjust the cups to fit snugly around your ankles, and then you’re ready to rock.
Teeter’s ankle lock design is adjustable and comfortable.
If you are someone who has trouble bending over, then the pin system on the FitSpine X1 may be difficult or painful for you to use. If that is the case, then check out the FitSpine X3 or the LX9 because it comes with some great ease-of-use add-ons, including the Deluxe EZ-Reach Ankle System. The EZ-Reach System allows you to secure your ankles with a locking lever without bending much.
A lot of people complain at first that their inversion table hurts their feet. We found the X1 inversion table by Teeter to have one of the most comfortable ankle locks on the market. We didn’t have any problem with it hurting ankles – even those we tested it with who inverted for the first time.
However, if you do have any issues, we recommend wearing socks or shoes, and both options work great with the FitSpine from Teeter. If you have leg hair, I would recommend wearing socks, or else it might get pulled out—and it hurts.
Lumbar Support
The FitSpine X1 by Teeter comes with adjustable lumbar support that comes in handy if you’re suffering from back pain. The support helps to achieve the neutral alignment of your spine and hips. I think this is a great feature because the lumbar support helps the decompression effect of the X1 inversion table. If you find that it is too intense and hurts your back, it is adjustable.
Like the acupressure nodes, the lumbar support is adjustable and removable.
The lumbar support may not be for everyone, which is why Teeter made it removable. If you’re worried it might hurt your back or if you haven’t had good luck with it in the past, it’s very easy just to remove.
X1 In Use
If you are reading about inversion tables, there’s a good chance that you suffer from back and/or neck pain. Inversion tables like the Teeter FitSpine X1 decompress the spine and stretch back muscles, giving you much-needed relief from the many side effects of spinal compression and muscle tension.
There have been studies that support the notion that spinal decompression and paraspinal muscle stretching can decrease back pain with continued use. That’s not all hot air. Teeter’s inversion tables have helped decrease my back pain more than any other product I’ve ever used.
Teeter products, including the X1, are FDA-registered as devices suitable for alleviating the pain and compression associated with multiple spine and neck conditions. The Teeter X1 is registered with the FDA as being useful for back pain, sciatica, spinal degenerative joint disease, spinal curvature due to tight muscles, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
It can also be used to relieve pressure from herniated discs, facet syndrome, and muscle spasms in the neck and back. Inverted therapy relieves the normal spinal compression that is a natural result of gravity and allows the spine to be gently stretched and elongated to relieve both pain and immobility.
All of our reviewers enjoyed using the FitSpine X1 and felt improvements in their back pain.
The best part about the FitSpine X1 is its ease of use. Once you secure yourself in the ergonomic ankle supports, you just lie back and relax. You can invert the bed by simply putting an arm or two over your head. There’s no straining or flailing to get down or back up. It’s all done with simple arm movements.
(Disclaimer: As always, we recommend you consult with your doctor before trying an inversion table.)
The X1 comes standard with an inversion angle tether that allows you to set the maximum inversion angle that you’re OK with. That is an excellent feature to have, especially for beginners, because it prevents you from inverting further than you’re comfortable with.
That way, you don’t get in over your head. Get it? It’s also useful for experienced users who know what inversion angle works best for them. You just set the strap and start inverting and stretching out your back.
Most of our reviewers prefer using the angle tether.
Assembly
Something that Teeter does that I appreciate is that they assemble most of the inversion table. All you have to do is attach the bed and ankle supports to the steel frame. All of Teeter’s inversion tables come with easy-to-read instructions, an assembly DVD, and the option to use the BILT app.
I used the BILT app to assemble the X1, and it was way easier than the instructions or the DVD. What the app does is take you step by step through the installation process and allows you to position and rotate the image on the table to better see how to assemble it. It even reads the instructions while you put them together.
Another cool aspect of the BILT app is it will show you a couple of common incorrect assembly mistakes made. It’ll start by giving you a verbal warning and then an animation on what went wrong and why it doesn’t work.
Another nice feature is the free Teeter Move app. This is an app you can download to follow along with guided videos to learn how to properly use your inversion table and get tips for stretching and fully inverting. These videos are beginner, intermediate, and advanced-friendly. So, no matter your experience using inversion tables, you’re sure to find this app helpful.
Warranty
Teeter includes a 5-year warranty with the X1.
Should You Buy The Teeter FitSpine X1?
One of the main reasons that we rate the Teeter FitSpine inversion tables at the top of our best inversion tables list is because Teeter’s primary focus is on back pain, and their inversion tables reflect that. The Teeter FitSpine X1 is a premium inversion table that has been carefully designed and crafted to be the best.
It is FDA Registered for the relief of multiple neck and back conditions and has been researched and engineered to provide both pain relief and even facilitate recovery and rehabilitation when needed. The Teeter FitSpine X1 features a heavy-duty frame that is not top-heavy, so rotation and oscillation are both possible during use. The comfortable 8-point suspension bed and acupressure nodes further enhance its overall usefulness and value.
Teeter FitSpine X1 Q&A / FAQ
Does the Teeter inversion table actually work?
Teeter inversion tables, including the X1, are UL-certified and FDA-registered medical devices that have been proven to help with various back pain and conditions.
It’s important to consult your doctor before using an inversion table, but inversion tables can help with certain issues, such as sciatica, spinal compression, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, muscle tension, and more.
How long should you use a Teeter inversion table?
Inversion tables are only meant to be used for a few minutes at a time. It isn’t recommended to hang upside down for long periods of time.
Is this Teeter X1 review paid?
We were not paid to write this review of the X1. We tested the inversion table and provided our experience in this review, but it isn’t paid. We make commissions through our affiliate links. This allows us to write these reviews to help you find the best fitness and recovery equipment for you.
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