My Love Affair with Chip the Massage Chair - Interactive Health HTT.7
Written: Dec 26 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Provides relaxing back massage, comfortable chair, well made and maintenance-free
Cons: A bit awkward if you try to use it as a desk chair
The Bottom Line: Comfortable, relaxing massage with a variety of options. Well-built and maintenance free. Attractive and not too bulky so you can even use it in a small room.
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I had a love affair with Chip the massage chair long before he was mine. Yes, I lusted for Chip openly and longingly in public. I did so blatantly in front of my husband and children. My name is Pam and I am a Chipoholic.
You might wonder how I came to name this massage chair Chip. My first massage was by a wonderful masseur named Chip, so the first time I laid eyes on the Interactive Health Massage Chair, I dubbed him Chip. Thus the love affair began.
My Initial Experience
The manufacturer's suggested retail price is in the $1500 range. Even though I found Chip at Sam's Wholesale Club, he was still priced prohibitively high for me at $799.
Each time I went to Sam's I visited him on display. I sat in him and relished the large, comfortable seat. I reclined the seat back. I propped my feet on the separate ottoman. Not only was the chair extremely comfortable, even when not in operation, it was also attractive. I've seen some of those cheapo massage chairs that just scream, "I'm cheap, I'm cheap!" to all that pass by. Not so with Chip.
Good Looking
The Interactive Health Massage Chair has a stylish design similar to a nice desk chair with high back and large arms. The matching ottoman has a downward slant that puts your body in the correct alignment for a wonderful massage. The polyester covering is very soft and supple and pleasing to the touch. You could easily mistake it for soft leather.
The Massage Experience
On the days I was really lucky when I went to visit, Chip was hot! Yes, he was plugged in and ready to massage. I tried not to moan in ecstasy as the rollers moved up and down my back, reaching those taut muscles between my shoulder blades. I tried to ignore the passersby who looked longingly at Chip as I kept him all to myself.
Some days when I went to visit, he was surrounded by a crowd and I could only get close enough to touch his soft covering.
I Finally Got to Take Chip Home
Then one day, a miracle occurred. The priced was marked down to $599. I looked at my husband and he shook his head. Still too expensive.
A month or so later, I went to visit Chip for what I expected to be the last time. I knew there were others that wanted him and had probably taken him at the reduced price. I knew that soon Chip would not available.
When I arrived, there was a single chair left. The display was gone, but there was one box on the shelf. It was marked, "Last Item - $499." I gasped and whined to my husband in a pitiful, pleading tone, "Chip, Chip."
My husband simply said, "I'll go get a flatbed cart."
Massage Options
The control panel (which looks like a TV remote with a cord attached to the chair) has options for stationary massage, up-down massage, and a pre-programmed massage session.
If you select the pre-programmed massage, it will go through a variety of massage motions up and down your back. It is very relaxing and is wonderfully choreographed to achieve maximum relaxation. Just the other day, I fell asleep before the 15-minute program ended. Just what I needed after a tense afternoon at the computer. It has a total of 15 different steps that repeat for the 15-minute timeframe.
The Stationary Massage option allows you to select a kneading motion, much like you would get from the thumbs of a massage therapist kneading muscles on either side of the spine in a circular motion. You can manually move the massage rollers up or down to place them in just the spot you want to massage.
The Compression Massage option feels like heels of a hand pushing along the side of the spine, alternating from side to side in a firm motion. It rocks you gently back and forth and seems to loosen up the spine. This can also be placed at just the appropriate spot and moved up and down through the use of arrows on the control pad.
The Percussion Massage feels like a massage therapist using the sides of the hands or their fists to firmly and rapidly tap on alternate sides of the spine. This will relieve pressure on the spine and stimulate both joints and muscles in the spine. There are always a couple of spots that feel really good with this type massage.
Up-Down Massage
This option lets you choose the Compression or Percussion styles described above and it will automatically move slowly up and down the spine. It also has a Rolling Massage style that feels like thumbs moving slowly down the side of the spine on either side. I find this the most relaxing style of all and generally will repeat this mode several times if I am really tense.
The back can recline at angles from 110-150 degrees and the chair swivels 30 degrees in either direction.
Not a High Maintenance Kind of Guy
Unlike me, Chip is very low maintenance and well-made. He is designed to be maintenance free and requires no servicing or lubrication. Is it any wonder why I love him?
How I Use this Chair
I kept Chip in my bedroom for about a year, where I used him on nights that I came home tense or had sore muscles. He was especially handy when my husband was out of town and I desperately wanted a backrub.
Recently, I asked my husband to move Chip into my office where I am now using him as a desk chair. I decided that since I spent most of my life at the computer, so I may as well be sitting on Chip.
It's a bit awkward using him as a desk chair because he doesn't swivel all the way around, but he still works okay. I can pull out the keyboard tray to a comfortable distance and have no problems typing.
When I get tired of typing I can take a short break, lean back and let Chip massage my tired muscles. The seat is wide and deep enough to be comfortable for long periods of sitting. Most people would not elect to make this a desk chair, but I'm glad I did.
Dimensions
Chair 26.5" W x 37.5" L x 42" H
Ottoman 21" W x 17" L x 16"H
Weight: Chair - 87 lbs
Ottoman - 16 lbs.
Care
The chair can be vacuumed or dusted to keep it dust free. For a heavily soiled area a damp cloth can be used to clean the area and then should be wiped with a clean, dry cloth.
Recommendation
Having the Interactive Health Massage Chair is almost as good as having my own personal therapist. This would be wonderful for people who spend a lot of time at the computer and get sore back muscles.
Anyone who enjoys a good massage and doesn't mind investing in a functional piece of furniture would enjoy this chair.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 350 members
About Me:
~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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