REVIEW: This new massage chair is as close as it gets to a real massage

THE MACHINE

The key feature of the Osim uMagic massage chair is its Magic Hands technology, which is said to mimic the gripping action of a therapist’s hands during a massage.

There are nine full-body massage programmes, each 15 minutes long: Booster, Chill Out, Sleep Well, Lumbar Care, Tui-na, Yoga Stretch, Sports Recovery, Beauty (which supposedly tones and firms), and Shoulders Delight. At the start of each new session, the sensors assess your build to move the shoulder massage rollers to the correct position.

THE SHIOK FACTOR

Consolatory advice if you’re pear-shaped like me: Slide into the chair. The first time I flopped onto it unceremoniously, I wondered why it was so small. Then I found out that the chair is meant to fit snugly for a more precise massage.

I am plagued with an achy neck and shoulders, so Shoulders Delight was easily my favourite programme. It’s still a full-body massage but with the shoulders getting the bulk of the attention. And Magic Hands did live up to its name – I felt like I was getting a real massage.

While it’s hard to pinpoint how Chill Out is different from Sleep Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that a round of Booster after a groggy afternoon left me invigorated.

Yoga Stretch was actually a stretch programme and not a massage, and stretch it did. The rollers moved up and down my spine, and even pushed forward various points along my back. The foot massage unit also lifts up to raise my legs, and angles down to stretch the spine. Even the pelvic area is included: The roller tilts left and right just-so to loosen tired hips. I was initially skeptical, but my body did feel lighter after the Yoga Stretch. Caveat: Some stretch positions might look awkward to the people around you!

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

The massage rollers in Lumbar Care vibrated more than they kneaded, and didn’t relieve much tension. Even after I sat all the way into the chair, I felt like I wasn’t getting enough massage action.

Alas, Beauty was the weakest link. It was a decent massage but I’m not sure if it actually did tone or firm my body. The squeezing actions on the arms were pretty bizarre. There’s a narrow cavity to stick your forearms into, and they get squeezed periodically. The flaps at the sides of the chair also have airbags that close in on your upper arms. I never imagined my arms could feel claustrophobic, but now I know.

Although you’re able to download more massage programmes through the Osim smartphone app, I didn’t find anything new there. No biggie though, because the chair already offers a good range.

Osim uMagic, $5,288, is available at all Osim outlets.

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2015.