The HoMedics AntiGravity Recliner is moderately priced and looks quite stylish. There are 4 different models to choose from, ranging in price from $250 to $380. But does the chair give a good massage, and do the more expensive models give you a good shiatsu massage as HoMedics tells us? Well, the massager is good, but there are some things that I don’t like very much.
When I first saw the HoMedics AntiGravity Massage Recliner, it reminded me a bit of Elvis; Do you know that people say that he had a beautiful profile but when he was facing him he was less attractive? Well that’s exactly what I thought when I first saw it. It’s hard to put into words exactly what I mean, but I’ll try.
From the side, this particular HoMedics massage chair looks elegant and very well proportioned. The black faux leather upholstery and modern headrest give it a very contemporary overall look. But, as you walk to the front, the proportions seem to be a bit wonky. The back of the chair seems too wide and the footrest too narrow. It would look better if the top was slimmer and the top and bottom halves of the chair were the same width. But, I can live with how it looks I guess.
What I like least is the marketing tone of the company. It really talks about its ‘anti-gravity properties’ and how you sit in it in exactly the same way that NASA astronauts do when they blast off to who knows where. For the average man in the street, what “anti-gravity” really means is that, when he is fully reclined, his ankles and feet are slightly higher than his head. It’s undeniable that this is a comfortable position for many, so I don’t know why the company couldn’t just say this and spare us the NASA tech stuff. It just insults my intelligence.
The model I sat on was the cheapest model, the AG-2101. It comes with 10 motors that give you a vibrating massage. I was a bit disappointed with that. These days, a vibrating massage can seem old-fashioned or cheap compared to the chairs that give you kneading, tapping, rolling, and even shiatsu massages. Also, I don’t find a vibrating massage very relaxing; certainly not compared to a chair that kneads you up and down your spine. Anyway, there are 8 programs to choose from, as well as 3 massage speeds.
I understand that the more expensive models (AG-3000, AG-3001 and AG-3000S) do offer a better massage; there’s kneading, rolling, tapping, and even shiatsu. I doubt the shiatsu massage is up to the task though, not when you only pay around $380; A chair that gives you almost a good shiatsu massage is around $1,800. If you can, try a Sanyo massage chair; really gives you a great shiatsu massage.
So far I may have given the impression that I don’t like meat, but this would be wrong. I actually like it. I think it looks classy (despite the front view) and the massage you get is fine and it’s a pretty good price. Another thing I like about this HoMedics massage chair is that it gets hot. I do like heat with my massage and the chair gives it to me where I like it most, in the lower lumbar area.
Would I recommend the HoMedics AntiGravity massage chair? Probably. In my opinion, it’s a chair for those who want some kind of relaxing massage, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars and want a chair that is small, stylish, and doesn’t “take over” the living room.
