Stretching in a massage chair

A lazy morning stretch just after waking up, which brings pleasant relaxation and loosening up, is something to which stretching in a massage chair can be compared. This extremely soothing and useful function at the same time takes tension off the muscles, improves their elasticity and eliminates pain. But how does a massage chair actually stretch muscles, and how does this functionality differ from model to model? It’s time to take a closer look. 

Let’s start with a video in which Paweł explains what the stretching function in massage chairs is, how it works, and how it differs from the stretching we know from the gym or exercise room.

Unique benefits of stretching

Stretching is a specially designed sequence of movements aimed at stretching and relaxing specific muscle groups. Daily stretching therefore has many benefits for the human body, whose range of movement changes with age. The unique benefits of regular stretching include: 

• improving muscle flexibility; 
• strengthening of tendons; 
• increasing joint mobility;
• improving motor coordination;
• improving blood circulation;
• accelerating the muscle regeneration process; 
• relieving neck stiffness and pain;
• improving posture.

Its effects go much further, however, as stretching also: 

• relaxes the mind;
• stimulates dormant endorphins in the body;
• reduces stress levels. 

Daily stretching is especially recommended for people who spend most of their time in one position, such as office workers. It is also one of the most common recommendations of personal trainers, as stretching after a workout is great for loosening muscles that are too tight. However, no matter what you do or what kind of lifestyle you lead, by introducing stretching into your daily routine, you are sure to feel its positive effects on your body.

How does the stretching programme work in a massage chair?

It usually looks like this:

1. You sit comfortably in the massage chair.
2. You select and switch on the appropriate automatic programme.
3. Airbags around your arms and legs fill with air to press your body and hold it in place. 
4. The seat moves down to a reclining position and the footrest extends.
5. The massage arms begin to move slowly along your back, with great sensitivity and gradually stretching your back muscles. 
6. The mechanisms of the massage chair perform specific sequences of movements to stretch your tense muscles.
7. After about 15-20 minutes, you get up relaxed and enjoy the first noticeable effects of stretching. 
8. As you regularly enjoy stretching in the massage chair, your body becomes more flexible and your ailments subside. ;)

Which body parts are stretched in a massage chair?

As each model is different, there are different ranges of stretching functions in massage chairs. The simplest stretching programmes focus on the lower parts of the body. This is found in the Massaggio Eccellente 2 chair and its PRO version, as well as in the iRest Easyq model, which is the only one among the compact massage chairs to offer the stretching function. In the more advanced massage chairs, stretching no longer includes only the legs, but also the upper parts, so that it is possible to relax and stretch almost the entire body. Such a possibility is provided by: Massaggio Esclusivo 2 and Stravagante 2, iRest Supearl (A336), Supearl Open (A336-11), Grandease (A550), Brillactiq (A665) and Maesthron (A801), as well as all models from the Bodyfriend and Fujiiryoki brands.

Stretching with iOpen

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As you know, the features of massage chairs are constantly being developed and optimized. In the case of stretching, the breakthrough came with the innovative iOpen divided guide bar, which we can find in the top models of the iRest brand – Queentri (A357), Grandease (A550), Brillactiq (A665) and Maesthron (A801).

How does the stretch in the seats with iOpen differ from the stretch in the other models? The split SL-Shape guide means that during stretching, the back of the chair tilts independently of the seat, allowing the body to lie almost flat. What we have here, therefore, is a combination of the advantages of the Zero Gravity and Flat positions – previously only available in Fujiiryoki chairs. This has made it possible to stretch the entire body, especially the back muscles, at a level similar to Fujiiryoki. This is a definite advantage of the iOpen chairs over models with the standard SL-Shape guide bar.

Asymmetrical stretching

Asymmetric stretching is a completely new type of stretching in massage chairs, used for the first time by the Korean brand Bodyfriend. The pioneer in this regard is the Phantom Rovo model, which stands out at first glance with its independent leg massagers. Operating in Rovo Mode, the chair offers unprecedented stretching programmes to deeply relax: the hip-lumbar muscle, the muscles around the knees and hip joints, the knee tendons, the muscles around the hip vertebrae, the piriformis muscle, as well as the muscles of the neck and waist.

Stretching in the Fujiiryoki JP3000

When discussing stretching in massage chairs, we cannot leave out the Fujiiryoki JP3000 either. The most advanced model of the Japanese brand offers unique stretching in as many as 5 dedicated automatic programmes of different intensities – from gentle to extreme. What’s more, it is possible to focus the stretching on a specific body part (neck, shoulders, back, waist, knees or legs). What catches the eye here is the double stretching of the legs and knees, which looks as follows: during the massage session, when the pelvis and legs, thanks to the airbags, are held in place, the mechanism directs the legs first forward and then downwards, stretching the body and reducing muscle stiffness. 

As you can see, stretching in massage chairs is a very interesting functionality, and it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. So if you have any further questions or need help choosing the perfect massage chair, please do not hesitate to contact us.