The 10 Best Yoga Headstand Benches
This wiki has been updated 16 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Salamba Shirshasana, the headstand, is one of the more difficult poses in yoga and an aspiration of many new practitioners. Known as the king of asanas due to its supposed health benefits, the position requires skill, balance and strength. It's a tricky pose to perform, so we've put together a list of benches that minimize the risk of injury and provide vital support in all the right places. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Fittness Yoga Chair
2. Health Mark Yogacise
3. Sisyama Inversion Chair
Editor's Notes
June 28, 2020:
Over the past few decades yoga has seen a rapid increase in popularity due to its benefits as a daily exercise in terms of building strength, improving flexibility and creating mindfulness. One of the reasons it is enjoyed by so many people is because of its versatility. Poses can be adapted to suit a range of abilities, and it allows for deep stretches and the toning of muscles. However, the headstand is one asana that is not as easily performed as most other positions. There are many ways in which this pose can be detrimental to your health if performed incorrectly, or if your body is not suitably strong to maintain proper alignment. It is not advisable to attempt a headstand, with or without the use of a bench, if you’re pregnant, or suffer from migraines, glaucoma, osteoporosis, hypertension, or a heart condition. Caution is advised for anyone with head, neck, shoulder or back complications. If you have any medical condition, or you are unsure if this exercise is good for you, be sure to consult with your doctor before attempting this asana.
When performing a headstand, the aim is to use your core strength to lift up the legs without slouching in the neck or shoulder areas. After a controlled dismount, go into child's pose to help prevent dizziness or disorientation. With all of these safety rules in mind, it's important to choose a headstand bench that is going to support your weight, help you maintain balance, and will not move during your practice. The Scool Inversion Chair is a great budget option to help you perform headstands comfortably and with proper form. However, for only a marginal increase in price the Restrial Life Stool and the Evolution Health BodyLift offer more ergonomic designs and provide more comfort and ease to your practice.
Since you really do get what you pay for when it comes to this category, by increasing your budget, you will receive a much higher caliber of equipment. The FeetUp Trainer is a yogi professional favorite, and a well-known brand. It’s thoughtfully designed for both your comfort and your safety. Our number one pick, the Fittness Yoga Chair, provides all the stability of a traditional bench but with the addition of handles, which many inexperienced users find easier to use than holding onto the legs of the stool. It looks like a piece of gym equipment, so perhaps it isn't going to look so nice in your living room, but that's not the reason we are making this purchase, is it?
Whether you're working out at home or making your way to a class, every yogi needs a good bag. We've published a list of the 10 best yoga bags on the market to help you pick your perfect carry case. If you want more information on all things yoga, check out our handy guide on yoga schools, mats, and philosophies.
Special Honors
Health Gear ITM5500 This sturdy selection allows you to gain the benefits of inversion without having to rely on your own strength. Pegs are positioned at the bottom for users to hook their feet around, while a long bench provides full-body support. It comes with a removable massage pad which can be used independent of the main equipment. extremeproductsgroup.com
4. Evolution Health BodyLift
5. FeetUp Trainer
6. Restrial Life Stool
7. Milliard Workout Stool
8. Scool Inversion Chair
9. MaxKare Chair
10. Puluomis Stool
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.