At first glance, an inversion table might appear to be a complex piece of exercise equipment. Most manufactured tables have numerous adjustments to accommodate people of different height and weight. The footrest assembly inserts in the bottom of a main frame and has pins for adjusting to a person's height. The backrest resides on the main frame and the entire unit rotates on adjustable pivot arms. It's possible to incorporate multiple adjustments into a homemade inversion table by searching parts outlets and compiling the various components. A more practical approach is making an inversion table that suits your personal specifications.
Step 1
Use 1-inch diameter rigid conduit and a tubing bender to make two triangle supports for the inversion table. The triangles should measure 36 inches at the base and 60 inches to the top point. Use a hacksaw or tubing cutter to cut the excess tubing at the joins. Solder the joins with a soldering tool and steel solder.
Step 2
Measure the distance from the top of your head to mid-point of your thighs. Measure the width of your hips and add 3 inches for side clearance. Use 1-inch rigid conduit and the tubing bender to make a rectangle to these dimensions as a frame for the backrest. Cut the excess tubing at the join and solder the join. Set the backrest frame aside.
Step 3
Cut a piece of 1 1/2-inch square steel tubing 36 inches long as the main frame. Cut another piece of square steel tubing 16 inches long as the footrest. Position the footrest perpendicular at one end of the main frame, center it and weld the footrest to the main frame.
Step 4
Cut an additional piece of 1 1/2-inch square steel tubing to the overall width of the backrest frame. This is the pivot hub. Center the pivot hub perpendicular at the opposite end of the main frame and parallel with the footrest to form a flat "H" configuration. Weld the pivot hub to the main frame.
Step 5
Use an electric drill with a 3/8-inch bit and drill a hole at the top point of each triangle support. The holes must be perpendicular to the face of the triangles. Insert a 48-inch length of 3/8-inch threaded rod into the pivot hub. Put 3/8-inch nylon washers on each end of the rod.
Step 6
Insert the ends of the threaded rod into the holes at the top of the triangle bases. Use a hex wrench with 3/8-inch hex head nuts and lock washers to attach the main frame in place between the supports. Cut the excess threaded rod with a hacksaw.
Step 7
Position the rectangular backrest frame near the upper end of the main frame. Hold it in place, rotate the main frame and mark the desired location. Solder the sides of backrest frame to the pivot hub. Solder the lower end of the backrest frame to the main frame.
Step 8
Use scissors to a piece of canvas fabric as the backrest. Cut the piece oversize so the ends and sides wrap over the frame with enough excess to stitch the edges to the underside of the backrest. Use nylon thread to stitch the fabric in place on the backrest frame. Loop a padded nylon strap around the main frame near the footrest and fasten the buckle.
Things You'll Need
- 1-inch rigid conduit.
- Tubing bender
- Hacksaw or tubing cutter
- Soldering tool
- Steel solder
- 1 1/2-inch square steel tubing
- Welding equipment
- Electric drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- 3/8-inch threaded rod, 48 inches long
- 3/8-inch nylon washers and lock nuts
- Hex wrench
- Canvas fabric
- Scissors
- Nylon thread
