This article was originally published February 10, 2022.
If you’re looking for in-home massages that deliver exceptional bodywork and deep relaxation, a massage chair with zero gravity reclining capability could be your gateway into deep states of bliss. In today’s busy, sometimes-stressful world, everyone deserves a chance to help their body rest, recover, and re-energize, and a zero gravity massage chair can help.
The benefits of regular massages have been widely studied and include things like reduced aches and pains, faster recovery from exercise and other intense physical activity, improved circulation, better sleep, and support for lower blood pressure.
With those physical improvements come mental and emotional benefits as well. The mind-body connection is something healthcare providers are paying much more attention to today. They know that when your body is tight or hurting, it affects your state of mind. Consequently, releasing your physical stress and reducing your pain can also improve your mental and emotional well-being.
In addition to the orchestrated movements they use to work your knotted, sore muscles, some massage chairs can help reduce the stress placed on your body by gravity itself. These chairs recline to what is called a zero gravity position. People who have never used a zero gravity massage chair may wonder, “Isn’t it just reclining like many other chairs can?” That is a fair question, but as we explain below, zero gravity is a special position that few chairs—massage chairs or otherwise—can provide.
What Is a Zero Gravity Massage Chair?
The zero gravity position certain massage chairs can achieve is sometimes referred to by other names. You may see or hear references in your research to “0-gravity,” “anti-gravity,” “neutral posture,” etc. But they all refer to the body being reclined and supported in a specific way.
Zero gravity massage chairs are intended to mimic the feeling of floating weightless in space without having to leave home. Your legs lift to align roughly horizontally with your heart, as your torso and glutes are tucked underneath you in a V shape. As a result, you sit at a 120-degree angle, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to get blood to flow throughout your body. Without that added pressure, there is less strain on your heart and other organs. You also take pressure off structures like bones and joints.
Zero Gravity Full-Body Massage Chair Benefits
There are several zero gravity massage chair benefits you can enjoy in the comfort of your home or office. They include the amplification of many of the advantages of using other massage chairs, including:
- Reduced back pain
- Less joint swelling
- Easier breathing
- More effective blood and lymph circulation
- Relaxing of the spine
- Better sleep
- And others
The same enhancement of benefits is true regarding mental and emotional well-being. When you feel even better physically, your quality of life improves that much more.
Plus, you shouldn’t discount the sheer anticipation and enjoyment of using a zero gravity, full-body massage chair. It is great to have an activity that is so beneficial to your mind and body available to you whenever you have a few extra minutes. You can start your day with an invigorating massage, enjoy a lunchtime session, or get a deeply relaxing evening massage that melts away the day’s stress and prepares your body for sleep.
How often can you say that something so healthy is so pleasurable?
What Are the Best Zero Gravity Massage Chairs? Here Is One Candidate.
A zero gravity massage chair that gets rave reviews is the OHCO M.DX. There are several others, but this chair serves as an excellent example of the best zero gravity massage chairs.
These chairs are of Japanese design and have what is called a MaxTrack™. It is a specially created therapeutic massage component that moves along with you as you transition between the different positions it makes.
Groundbreaking massage chair zero gravity technology guides your body through a gentle shift into zero gravity and then back to a seated position at the end of your session. The movement is as smooth as silk to ensure a completely stress-free transition into and out of the blissful zero gravity position.
The OHCO M.DX massage chair also has 4D Sens8™ body scanning technology, which allows your zero gravity recliner chair to “read” the shape of your body and tailor the session accordingly. That is a tremendous advantage when it comes to ensuring you get the most benefit and enjoyment from your massage.
Zero gravity reclining is a great feature but just one of many you should consider when buying a massage chair, of course. For example, many people find they get an exceptional massage from a chair that has 4D and zero gravity capabilities.
That means it goes beyond the surface coverage and deeper/shallower capability of a 3D zero gravity massage chair to vary the rate of the massage—like a massage therapist would do, moving more rapidly or slowly to get the best results. Owners of 4D zero gravity massage chairs will tell you that the massages they deliver are the most lifelike you will experience outside a massage therapist’s office!
It is also helpful to learn about the different massage chair tracks and how they affect the overall massage experience.
What Are Your Priorities for a Zero Gravity Massage Chair?
If you have never shopped for a massage chair before, you might think the first thing you should do is come up with a list of features you want. Features certainly are important, as each model of zero gravity massage chair has different therapeutic massage modalities that will make up your massage experience. For example, many chairs have heating capabilities that people find beneficial.
However, what matters more than massage chair features or costs is your massage chair experience. When your massage chair has been delivered and you are enjoying regular sessions, you will not focus much (if at all) on the chair’s functions. Instead, you will be keenly aware of how you feel during and after a massage. The features, while necessary, are more a means to an end—that being enhanced mind and body well-being.
Are you looking for additional capabilities, such as BlueTooth compatibility and built-in speakers? If so, you should definitely make them part of your search criteria. They just need to be prioritized appropriately.
Assessing the Costs and Benefits of Zero Gravity Full-Body Massage Chairs
Massage chairs are designed to provide life-changing benefits to owners. Consequently, they can be a significant financial investment. However, it is important to understand this doesn’t mean you must purchase a massage chair at the highest price point to get the results you seek. The cost-effective Positive Posture Sōl is a great example of a chair that provides outstanding massages at a very competitive price.
This true zero gravity® massage chair has a beautiful design, almost like a regular recliner. Its streamlined aesthetic looks great in any home. It also means Sōl can fit in smaller rooms or areas that are not ideal for certain larger chairs.
The chair has an L-track for the rollers, meaning you will get an effective full-body experience that relieves tension from your neck and shoulders to your glutes and hamstrings. The fact that you can get those benefits while in a zero gravity reclining position makes the results even more profound.
The Positive Posture Sōl zero gravity massage chair also features comfort wave massage motion (a technology based on traditional Chinese massage) and even offers convenient device charging with a USB port. Ultimately, it is an excellent zero gravity massage chair at an appealing price.
Find the Perfect Zero Gravity Massage Chair for Your Needs
There are many zero gravity massage chairs on the market, with the most exceptional models included in our curated collection of The World’s Best Massage Chairs®. No matter which you choose, at Furniture For Life, we strive to help you find the right solution for you.
If you have questions about 4D zero gravity massage chairs—or any massage chair models or capabilities—contact us anytime. When you are ready to experience several massage chairs and identify the one that will best meet your requirements, find the Furniture For Life location near you, come in, and talk with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Comfort Consultants.
