If you’ve decided you’d like to start shopping for a massage chair, chances are you’ve come across the term, Zero Gravity (zero-gravity or zero-g). If you’re like me, when you heard the term you thought, “what the heck does that mean?”. While it may sound like a feature of the newest astronaut space experience ride at a theme-park, it’s actually one of the more common features on today’s top massage chairs. The term does have some ties to an outer space experience though – more on that later!
As with all evolving technology, many chairs today are competing to boast the most and newest features. While these features vary depending on price point, one feature that is common among the high-quality chairs is the zero-gravity feature, or zero g. For the serious buyer, this is a feature that should be considered before purchasing as it does add additional comfort to the chair and your experience.
What is Zero Gravity positioning?
The term zero gravity has to do with the recline position the chair can assume. The position mimics the posture astronauts take during blast off on space missions. Since astronauts endure intense and sudden increases in gravity while escaping the Earth’s gravitational pull, it’s important their bodies can deal with the increased stress. By assuming a reclined position, astronauts distribute the stresses of takeoff across their bodies in a safe way. To that end, the chairs astronauts sit in during launch use this reclined configuration. However, unlike a space launch, these chairs are designed to help you relax. Zero gravity massage chairs can assume the same position to help distribute a user’s weight across the chair.
How does Zero Gravity Benefit the User?
The highly reclined position takes the stress off of your spine and elevates your feet and legs over your heart while the chair massages your entire body. The shift of your body from vertical to horizontal redistributes gravity across your entire body, rather than all down your spine and into your feet. Redistributing this pressure results in a “zero gravity” feel of relaxation.
The manufacturers claim that this relieves stress on the body and allows for a deeper, more intense massage experience. Some manufacturers claim that the reduction of stress on your body is so effective you’ll feel weightless as a result.
To Massage, or Not to Massage, That is the Zero-G Question
While several massage chair manufacturers offer models that come with the zero gravity feature, not all zero gravity chairs are massage chairs. Some furniture manufacturers offer regular chairs that recline into the zero gravity position. The chairs distribute your weight and support you, but they won’t rub away your tension and stress.
Other manufacturers stop short of making that particular claim. Instead, they say that the chair replicates the launch chairs for astronauts. They call their chairs zero-gravity not because of the effect the user feels, but because of the position the chair assumes when activated.
How Does Zero Gravity Recline Work?
So how does zero gravity translate into a full body massage chair?
There are typically two stages of zero gravity. When zero gravity mode is selected, the massage chair eases the user into a reclined position. Once in position, the user’s thighs are relative to their back to maximize comfort and minimize pressure – this is stage one. The second stage brings the user further back placing the legs above the level of the heart. This further increases blood flow, which can serve as an overall benefit to the heart and body.
Once the user is in this neutral position, it will cause the user’s back to be in full contact with the chair’s backrest. This contact will allow the full force of the chair’s massage routine to be effective. An upright position may not allow the intensity and thoroughness of a massage in the reclined position.