| There's no disputing the technically advanced | | | | chair. |
| features of the Inada i.2 chair and the fact that's it's | | | | Manufacturers (mainly Japanese) knew this and set |
| been designed and made by perhaps the World's | | | | about the development of systems that would be |
| leading company and authority of the robotic | | | | able to detect the unique shape of an individual and |
| massage chair. But, can you buy another brand that | | | | then automatically align the rollers. Inada was the first |
| comes with features and functions that are just as | | | | to introduce optical sensors to its chairs. |
| good but at a lower price? | | | | So, what do you get with the Inada i 2? Well, you |
| The Inada i.1 made its debut in Japan in 2000 as the | | | | get the following massage modes: rolling, kneading, |
| world's first massage chair that truly offered | | | | rhythmic acupressure, tapping, and deep calf |
| customizable massage programs. Now, with the | | | | massage. There are intuitive preset programs that |
| release of the Inada i.2, the technology has gone up | | | | offer a variety of massage modes. The manual |
| another gear by introducing infrared sensors that | | | | selections come with 10 upper body modes and 3 |
| detect body shape and will automatically adjust the | | | | lower body modes and there's a vibration function on |
| back rollers to deliver the most optimal massage for | | | | the back and seat that you can toggle between high |
| an individual. Coupled with the massage modes and | | | | and low. There is air pressure massage on the feet, |
| programs on offer, it really is an awesome chair. | | | | hips, and calves. |
| However, I believe that you can buy another brand | | | | All of these features are very impressive but they |
| of chair that is just as technically advanced, offers | | | | don't come cheap and could well be beyond the |
| similar modes and programs but retails for | | | | budget for most. However, there is a cheaper |
| considerably less than the i.2 chair's $3,400 price tag. | | | | alternative available; the OSIM iMedic. |
| But first, let's talk about those infrared sensors and | | | | The OSIM massage chair also comes with |
| why they're important. Many companies claim that | | | | acupressure point detection and with rollers that |
| they make shiatsu massage chairs but the fact is | | | | automatically glide along your back to detect precise |
| that few chairs really deliver a true shiatsu massage. | | | | points to massage. It features a 30-minute |
| That's because shiatsu is about massaging | | | | Healthcare massage; 20-minute well-being program; |
| acupressure points to relieve and help a whole lot of | | | | relax program and 6 targeted auto programs. The |
| conditions and ailments. It's a precise technique and | | | | chair has a total of 12 air bags for calves, thighs, seat |
| it's critical that the masseuse locates the acupressure | | | | and hips. With the iMedic you get all of this for |
| points precisely or the massage will offer no real | | | | around $2,000 - a lot less than the i.2. |
| benefit. | | | | But, you might ask, is the OSIM as well-built? Well, |
| You can't simply expect to lie back in a chair and get | | | | although the OSIM is a different company, Inada |
| a shiatsu massage. The back rollers will not align | | | | builds all of OSIM's chairs; using the same |
| properly against your shoulders and spine. On cheaper | | | | components and in the same factory it makes its |
| models there's always the option of manually | | | | own chairs. So, yes, you're getting a chair that's as |
| adjusting the rollers and so the company will claim | | | | good in terms of quality as the Inada. |
| that their chairs offer the real thing. But are you a | | | | The i.2 Inada massage chair is one of the best |
| shiatsu expert and would you know where your | | | | robotic massage chairs on the market and I would |
| acupressure points are located? A chair that relies on | | | | highly recommend it. But, the OSIM iMedic is a close |
| the person using it to manually adjust the rollers | | | | second and costs a lot less. |
| cannot really be described as a true shiatsu massage | | | | |