Product Review of the Panasonic EP-3222 Massage Chair Recliner

Posted By Steve Esquire
Categoirzed Under: Fitness
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by Steve Esquire

We will focus on the EP-3222 massage chair lounger by Panasonic. The EP3222 is part of the Real Pro Elite series of massage chairs. This massage lounger is one of the luxury models produced by Panasonic. It includes some advanced technology features such as a body scan to customize the massage for each individual user. We will take a look at some of these advanced features and functions. We will also touch on the warranty and provide you our insights into the EP-3222 massage chair recliner.

Warranty coverage is an important aspect of purchasing any manufactured product these days. Although quality levels continue to improve and the incidence of breakdown is minimal, you still want to make sure you have protection. Warranty coverage is like obtaining an insurance policy. One you hope to never use, but just in case it is there if you need it.

The EP-3222 Real Pro Elite comes with warranty coverage from Panasonic. Panasonic gives you 3 years parts and 1 year labor on this chair. This coverage is below what other manufacturers give you. Most manufacturers provide in home technician service for at least 90 days and in some cases for up to 1 year. Panasonic does allow you to purchase an extended warranty at additional cost.

Panasonic integrates some fancy technology to truly customize the massage for each user. When starting an automatic program, the massage chair performs a body scan. The EP 3222 makes a virtual map of your back. It locates your acupressure points. This is then inputted into the chair’s computer and the program then focuses on stimulating your individual acupressure points during the course of the massage.

Panasonic has gone to great lengths to study and replicate the actual hand movements of massage therapists. The result is a floating massage mechanism to mimic the hands of a therapist. This mechanism has firm rubber massage heads. These massage heads replicate hand movements like pressing with the thumbs or the heel of the hand.

There is no shortage of massage techniques with this massage recliner. Panasonic equips this chair with 11 basic massage modes, 6 automatic programs and memory capability to store your favorite massages. Some of the more important massage techniques include Swedish, Kneading, Compression, Tapping, Shiatsu and Rolling. These massage techniques are effective to relieve aches, relax muscles, increase energy flow and increase blood flow.

Do you need relief of the lower body? The EP-3222 delivers! Panasonic incorporates an air massage system with an incredible 33 air bags. Each air bag targets a specific muscle, so you get a tremendous coverage. The air massage system provides an effective compression massage technique. This provides a firm squeezing action. This squeezing action helps to soothe and relieve sore muscles.

Panasonic has an advanced remote control which enables you to exactly target where you want relief. Whether you choose to run an automatic program at the touch of a single button or you want to relieve a knotted muscle in your back, the Real Pro Elite provide the massage you want. Panasonic has included a voice guidance system which helps walk you through the steps of getting the perfect massage every time.

Other advanced features include a stretch function for the lower body. When this function is activated, the leg ottoman will raise horizontal. The airbags will activate to hold the feet. The leg ottoman will begin to lower slowly. This stretches the leg, knee and hip to relieve tension from stiff muscles. This also helps increase your flexibility and range of motion.

The Panasonic Real Pro Elite series has some other massage functions that we did not review like the Swede-Atsu that provides realistic feeling massage therapy. This is also incorporated in the EP3222 model. The massage therapies are good and the variety will enable you to get practically every type of ache, pain or tension relieved on demand. Our only concern with Panasonic is the short warranty on the labor. Other than that the EP 3222 is a solid massage chair and worthy of your further consideration.

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Myth Buster: The More Motors the Better the Massage Chair

Posted By James Knolan
Categoirzed Under: Fitness
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by James Knolan

There is a massage chair myth that has been permeated through time about the number of motors. This myth claims that the more motors contained in the massage chair, the better the massage chair. At the height of this myth, companies were claiming to have more and more motors in their massage chairs. The thought being that with more motors, the massage is greatly enhanced. Claims were made to have a massage chair with 6, 8 and even 18 motors. Of course, having more motors could enable more varied movements in the shiatsu massage chairs, but is this actually true?

This myth buster will challenge the more motors the better the chair. There are inherent advantages to having more motors, such as more massage movements. As with anything, there are tradeoffs, such as quantity versus quality. Can a massage chair with 18 motors have the same quality motors in a chair with only 3 motors? Keep in mind that motors are one of the most expensive items in a massage chair. Since, motors are not cheap, as the number of motors increases, the cost of the chair increases holding the quality level equal. Obviously, there is a great chance as motors are added; the quality level of the motors will drop.

Space is another constraint like in any product. Motors used in shiatsu massage chairs are not small motors and must be allocated space. As the number of motors increases, then more mechanisms must be installed around each motor taking up more space. Motors weigh from 2 lbs to 5 lbs each. A massage chair having 3 motors would have 6 lbs in motor weight, whereas, as a massage chair having 18 motors would have 36 lbs each or if 5 lbs each 90 lbs, just in motors. More motors equal more weight.

How are high end luxury massage chairs designed with motors? Most manufacturers use 3 high quality motors. One for the kneading massage, one for the tapping massage and the third motor for moving the roller unit up and down. Software synchronizes the movements of the motors and running the tapping and kneading motors together produces the shiatsu massage.

If you examine the top of the line massage chairs, most use 1 motor to move the rollers up and down the chair back and 2 motors are used for the kneading and for the tapping. If the design runs each left and right roller independent, then this is done with 5 motors. The motors in this case do not provide any further massage capabilities, but will put less wear and tear on the motors, since their duties are split. Again, neat design, but no real improvement in the actual massage delivered.

There are still massage chair companies that claim to have very high numbers of motors. Certainly, they are not motors performing massage functions. These massage motors are expensive, heavy, take up space and are integral to a long, trouble-free life. Many massage chair companies jumped on this fad and perpertuated the myth. If adding motors does not add massage functions, then what is its value? In this case more is not better. More motors creates more potential problems, complicates the design and servicing. More motors also means the quality level is being sacrificed versus models with less motors. This myth is built on hype. Simple is beautiful!

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Review: Panasonic EP-30003 TU Massage Chair

Posted By James Knolan
Categoirzed Under: Fitness
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by James Knolan

This is a review of the Panasonic EP 30003 Real Pro Ultra massage chair. Our system of massage chair review is based on 5 categories. We give each category equal weight of up to 20 points. We add them all up to give a possible score of 100 points. This systematic approach helps guide users by giving apples to apples comparisons of different massage chairs and manufacturers. Let us take an in-depth look at the midrange model EP 30003 Real Pro Ultra by Panasonic.

Warranty &amp Customer Service: How good is the warranty of a given chair? Do you have to buy an extended warranty? How well does the manufacturer back their product? Panasonic gives you 1 year labor and 3 year parts. Service is obtained through your retailer or via national service centers. Obviously service varies substantially based on the retailer where it was purchased. Panasonic also builds in an machine hour counter. This enables Panasonic to provide 1,000 hours of warranty coverage. Once the counter hits 1,000 hours, then the warranty ends. To match other manufacturers, you may want to purchase an extended warranty. We give a rating of 16 in this category.

Comfort &amp Ergonomics: The comfort and fit of any chair is important for the use. Panasonic usually makes it chairs pretty ergonomic. The Real Pro Ultra is no exception. The back pad is comfortable and plush. The head pillow can be adjusted to fit different heights of users. The arm rests are padded and are fairly wide. The footrest does not extend, so this can be problematic for taller users. Taller users would have to bend their knees to get a foot massage or extend the footrest horizontal to and put their legs through. Our rating in this category is 17.

Ease of Use: With more and more features, options and choices being offered in massage chairs, ease of use is important. Some remote controls are clustered with a mind boggling array of controls. The problem is to learn all these options. The top manufacturers design controls and adjustments to be intuitive and easy to understand and use. Panasonic has vast experience with electronics and uses that to keep its controls simple and intuitive. The control is well designed and the descriptions accurate to keep learning fast. We rate it an 18 for this category.

Key Features: The key features for the EP 30003 is the Junetsu massage and the reflexology foot massage. Panasonic has developed an ultra fine kneading technique. Junetsu uses one-second circular thumb-like movements. This helps to loosen knotted or tight muscles. The circular motion penetrates down through the muscle tissue. The foot reflexology massage reflexology nodules built into the foot wells of the foot rest. An air compression system is used to gently squeeze the feet. The reflexology nodules then push up into the pressure points in the feet. The reflexology massage helps to relieve tension throughout the entire body helping you to relax. Our rating of the Panasonic EP30003 TU in this category is an 18.

Massage Therapy: The Panasonic Real Pro Ultra is equipped with customizable self-programs, 5-minute quick refresher massage and 4 other massage programs. The 4 other programs include shiatsu, deep, Swedish and stretch. The lower body air massage includes 14 airbags for calf and foot coverage. The Junetsu or ultra fine kneading is a new feature by Panasonic which is also in this massage recliner. The back rollers give you 132 square inches of coverage. Manual controls include tapping, kneading, rolling and combination. For the price range, the massage therapy is pretty thorough. The ultra fine kneading is a great addition for this price point. Our rating in this category is 19.

What is the overall rating for the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra EP30003 TU? Adding up our scores, we rate the Panasonic EP30003 TU as an 88/100. The best feature is the Junetsu ultra fine kneading massage. Panasonic developed this for its higher end chairs and was able to integrate into the EP 30003 at a much lower price point. The remote control also has the voice guidance system which is nice for new users. The warranty for the Real Pro Ultra is about average. You may want to investigate extended warranties for additional protection. Some taller users may find the chair too small, but try it to be sure. The massage chair is solid and reliable with some good technology for the price point. If you are looking at massage chair recliners in this range, you should check this one out.

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Best Entry Level Massage Chair

Posted By James Knolan
Categoirzed Under: Fitness Equipment
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by James Knolan

Massage chairs are excellent investments in your health and well being. Did you know that you can get a full body massage chair starting at just under $1,000. Think about how convenient having a massage chair at home could be for you and your family. We take a look at the best entry level massage chair available today.

Now, we qualify an entry level chair as one that has full body massage capability. Therefore, we do not consider a massage pad or a chair like an i-joy to be a full body massage chair. Some massage chairs will do your back and maybe with a leg ottoman can massage your legs, but this is not what we consider a full body massage chair. Many times these types come in two parts with the leg ottoman a separate piece of furniture.

You may find many chairs that have some limited massage capabilities, but are missing critical capability in the seat or for the legs. Some chairs, such as ijoys, sit very low to the floor which makes it difficult to exit the chair after receiving a massage. So for a truly full body massage chair it should cover the following areas: back and shoulders, buttocks, calves and feet.

The best massage chair at the entry level is the M-2 Orion by Omega Massage. This massage chair is an excellent value for a massage recliner which can be found for about $1,000. Unlike, an i-joy, the M-2 is a full size recliner. It does your whole body with thorough and effective massage therapy.

The striking design of the M-2 Orion is very appealing. The Orion looks like an a sleek executive chair, but with great massage therapy capabilities. It does not have the bulkiness that many massage chairs have. The nice lines and curves of the M-2 make it perfect for virtually any room in the house. In addition, the M2 has many advanced features that will help to soothe and relieve your aches and pains.

There are three timed pre-programs with the M2 Orion massage recliner. Just push one button and the automatic program runs you through a full body massage. You can also target specific areas and utilize a specific massage technique with the manual massages of the Orion. There are three manual massage techniques including kneading, swaying and finger press. Use these manual massages to relieve certain areas of tension in your back and shoulders.

The Orion has an invigorating seat massage. There are eight massage heads that provide a comprehensive massage for the buttocks and thighs. This is great if you have been sitting for extended periods or if you experience soreness. The warranty coverage for the Orion is as follows: 1 year frame, 6 months parts and labor. The M-2 is an excellent value and comes with invigorating and effective massage therapies.

The exciting features of the M-2 Orion massage chair make this chair the complete package. You can look at chairs that provide massage to just one area, but in the longer run, you will wish you went for the extended range of a full body massage chair. Some i-joys or other partial massage chairs are built low to the ground and are difficult to exit. They have smaller areas of coverage and less invigorating massages. The M-2 Orion brings together all the benefits of a real chair along with a full body massage capability. The price of the M-2 is so much more compelling at just under $1,000 compared to a hundred or two less for a full body massage chair recliner. Check it out and see why this is the best seller!

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Complete Body Treatments with Massage Chair Recliners

Posted By Steve Esquire
Categoirzed Under: Fitness Equipment
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by James Knolan

Nothing beats getting a full body massage when you are tired and your muscles are aching. The initial tension and muscle stiffness makes you sensitive to the massage therapy. As you relax both your body and mind, the massage starts to relieve those aches, pains and anxieties. The relief from the soreness is very positive. Most people view a massage as a treat and something they have to go to a spa to receive. The advanced massage chair recliners of today are starting to change all that.

If you get a massage treatment, you expect the massage therapist to work your neck, back, legs, feet, arms and hands. This would be a full body massage. The more advanced massage chair brands have this same capability. Various technologies are used to deliver effective massage therapy to all of these regions. Additionally, some massage chairs have heat, music, traction and can accurately identify areas to target. These whole body massage recliners can provide the full treatment.

Take for example, the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra. Their model EP30004 can massage your whole body and not just your back. Besides having hundreds of massage options for your back, it also can massage your arms, hands, hips, buttocks, calves and feet. The Real Pro Ultra uses an air compression massage system for the lower body which delivers a soothing and relieving lower body massage.

Create the spa environment in your own home. Omega introduces its Montage Premier massage chair that comes with an MP3 Player. Put on the headphones and hit the music synchronization button and the massage movements are orchestrated to the rhythm of your music. This fascinating technology provides for a total immersion environment as your mind clears out and your body soon follows. You will certainly drift off to higher levels of comfort and relaxation.

The features that are being added into massage chairs increases every year. The massage programs keep getting more varied and include many more techniques like Hawaiian, Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu and many more. More complimentary functions are being added such as lower body traction which extends the muscles and ligaments of the lower body. The back massage rollers contain more finger-like mechanisms that replicate the movements of hands. The technology keeps advancing and coupled with software has produced a tremendous variety of massage therapies.

The gap between massage therapist and massage chair is decreasing at a faster rate. Technology is driving the sophistication of the massage therapies that can be delivered. These technologies are literally enveloping the whole body with effective massage therapy. These massage recliner companies keep applying more and more knowledge to their software. Many massage techniques can be integrated into massage recliners with software programs. They can control the movements, durations, sensations and many other factors all simultaneously. There are some amazing sensations which provide effect relief from tightness or soreness. Imagine having a tireless mechanical masseuse at your disposal 24/7. Having a full body massage can work wonders on your perspective of the world. Come home and plop in the recliner. Slip on the headphones and let the massage chair recliner ease your aches and pains.

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