The HoMedics AntiGravity Recliner is moderately priced and looks quite stylish. There are 4 different models to choose from with prices ranging from $ 250 to $ 380. But does the chair offer a good massage and 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; You know how people say that she had a beautiful profile but when her face was less attractive? Well that’s exactly what I thought when I first saw it. It is difficult to put into words what I mean exactly, but I will try.
From the side, this particular HoMedics massage chair looks elegant and very shapely. The black faux leather upholstery and modern headrest give it an overall very contemporary look. But, when walking to the front, the proportions seem to deviate a bit. The back of the chair seems a bit too wide and the footrest too narrow. It would look better if the top was thinner 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 the least is the marketing pitch of the company. It really comes down to its ‘antigravitational properties’ and how you feel on it in exactly the same way that NASA astronauts do when they take off for who knows where. To the common man on the street, what “antigravity” really means is that when fully reclined, your ankles and feet are slightly higher than your 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 technical stuff from NASA. 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 little disappointed. These days, a vibrating massage can seem dated or cheap compared to chairs that give you knead, pound, roll, and even shiatsu massages. Also, I don’t find a vibrating massage very relaxing; certainly not compared to a chair that massages 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) offer a better massage; there’s kneading, rolling, tapping, and even shiatsu. However, I doubt shiatsu massage is too much, not when you only pay around $ 380; a chair that gives you a good shiatsu massage costs around $ 1,800. If you can, try a Sanyo massage chair; It really gives you a great shiatsu massage.
So far I may have given the impression that I don’t like the chair, but this would be wrong. In fact, I like it. I think it looks classy (despite the front view) and the massage you get is fine and at a pretty good price. Another thing I like about this HoMedics massage chair is that it gets hot. I like the heat with my massage and the chair gives it to me where I like it most, in the lower lumbar area.
Would you recommend the HoMedics AntiGravity massage chair? Probably. In my opinion, it is 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, elegant, and does not “ take over ” the living room.