Stronglite

[Sgod]

Please comment (good, bad, or ugly -- well, not too ugly ) only about STRONGLITE massage chairs in this thread.

 

[rain]

links

Stronglite has two chairs:

http://www.stronglite.com/home/sl1/page_10_9/ergo-pro-massage-chair-by-stronglite.html
http://www.stronglite.com/home/sl1/page_12_3/ergo-natural_massage_chair.html

We used the Ergo-Pro in school. It seemed to be the preferred chair. It stands up to its name as being strong and light and it is a comfortable chair for both client and therapist.

Things I didn't like: the back legs that support the seat adjust independently. Take care the the 2 are at the same height before seating the client, so that the chair doesn't tip (this happened to me twice - but now I've learned to seat myself first & make adjustments while seated ).
Also, the lever that adusts the height of the chestplate and headrest is awkwardly located directly behind the armrest.

Does anyone own the Ergo Natural?

 

[The Other One]

Ergo-Natural

Hi Denise,

I own an Ergo-Natural. What would you like to know?

The main reason I purchased this model is because of its wood construction. I find it highly adjustable, stable, and comfortable to sit in, as well as for working. Face cradle is nice and cushy (and adjustable) which was another reason for my purchase. I think the overall quality is very good. I wouldn't trade it out for another brand or style. The only downfall, I find, is that it's a little heavy...but folds up easily.

 

[Ravi TEJA]

thanks

Thanks, Robin - when I started these threads, I was hoping that folks would jump right in and give their opinions about each of the chairs they worked with, thus making it easier for someone to decide on which chair to purchase.

Previous threads have started out with a query about a specific chair and then subsequent posts might have started with, "I don't know about that chair, but I have a ___", with folks commenting on several different chairs in the same thread. The result was rather hard for me to follow with out a score card .

The threads are being viewed. Perhaps I should edit the them to read, "Please share your experience with this brand of chair"?

 

[MikeL]

Okay...I gotcha...just wasn't sure, since you asked about the natural, if you had specific questions.

 

[dudeydogdog]

I have a Ergo-Natural. We used Custom Craftworks and Oakworks chairs in school and they were OK, but there was always something about them I didn't like, adjustment, setup, etc.
Someone brought in a used Ergo-Natural to school one day and I fell in love with it, probably because of the wood. After using it, I loved it even more and bought it on the spot. Haven't regretted my decision.
The only problem I've had is with very tall people. It seems like I have to take the face cradle to the very end of extension and sometimes still the angle isn't quite what I'd like, not that the client notices. I may actually modify the base/chest rest a little to see if that helps. Spoke to Stronglite about it yesterday and they seemed to think it would be OK, if not officially approved.

 

[sara g]

Is it also the place for me to encourage anyone wanting a chair who can afford it to get a Stronglite? I know, they're ugly, but after working with one I'm loathe to use anything else.

 

[Corky]

I too have a Stronglite. The metal frame one (not the wooden one), and I must say, it hasn't fallen apart yet, or even shown much wear and tear. I have noticed the wheel look a "little" worn after 7 years and there are a few scratches on the "plastic feet". There are some plastic do-dads on the other stabilization part (near the wheels), so that's what I am talking about. The cushions are in good condition and I have a few scratches on the metal frame, but not any rust.

I used it once a week for a five hour stint and haul it about 70 miles on those given days for about 2 or 3 years now, and yes, I can say it is a good chair. (Just stopped that job about 2 months ago).

I literally drop it in the back of my truck (in it's nylon bag of course) when taking it from place to place (unless there is rain, then it travels in the cab with me --- well, I think it got caught in the back of the truck in rain twice... but, well, sometimes rain shows up pretty fast). When it drops into the truck over the tailgate, I put the roller feet part in first and then roll it toward the cab and let it fall into place. I am not big on trying to ease it in, or place it here and there. I am sure people who are all careful with their belongings are shuddering right now. But it makes the banging sound when it finally falls into place. Just so you know what kind of wear and tear I am talking about.

When I take it on site, I lay it on the floor, unzip the carrier, pull it out, and with one pull, move the frame into position, turn it upright and am ready to go. Head rest always stays in position, and I travel with it, with the headrest connected - always. Nary a problem.

I have a tendency to be "hard" on my equipment. Just am. So, for me, the Stronglite fit my use pattern better from what I could see.

As for the wheels on the stronglite: I can take or leave them, only because they aren't big wheels and if you hit a bump on concrete, an asphalt drive or a sidewalk dip, they really only make it so the chair gets off balance and then you are doing funky hand tricks to keep the chair upright. If I could make a suggestion to stronglite, it would be to find a way to use wider and better wheels (maybe like the ones on the new travel bags that are coming out now-days -- you know, the thick, wide hard plastic ones on your luggage for travelling on an airplane, etc.)

Of course, if you have a really smooth surface, the wheels are wonderful. I have never used a chair without wheels for any amount of time, so maybe I am taking them for granted and I use them more than I think I do. It is hard to say.

It has removable shin rests and I have only used them twice now, but they are nice to have when you need them.

No one has ever complained of the chair "cut into the thighs" which was mentioned about here. (Title: Good chair, bad chair)

It does not have a center bar which was also mentioned about other chairs in the above mentioned thread. Many of the chair massages I performed were at a bank where many of the employees wear skirts, and we have never had a problem with any "flesh showing" that would be stressful for the client or unprofessional.

The stronglite does not have any "spring" to it, like the Earthlite has, so if that is a factor you may want, it is something to keep in mind.

Hope that helps.

 

[Alice D]

I also have the Stronglite Ergo-Pro, which I use for a corporate account once a week, plus volunteer events.

It works very well for me, is super stable, the removeable shin rests are awesome. I use them most of the time, but for a couple of very large clients, or people with knee problems, I take them off. I regularly work on a guy who is about 6'5", and probably 240. He fits in the chair no problem with the shin rests removed, and says he could fall asleep in it. I also work on several women who are tall and large, (and busty.)

I throw my chair in the back seat or the cargo area of my wagon. I don't even use the carry case most of the time, because I carry it by the handle cutout in the leg rest. It still looks perfect, shows no signs of wear and tear except for scuffed wheels and a couple of scratches.

The one and only complaint I have about it is the sternum pad. The flat one is not terribly comfortable for a busty woman, and the sternum pad that comes with it is just too big. I would rather see one of the small sternum pad that attach to the flat pad with a little strap. One of the chair manufacturers uses this, but I can't remember which one.

I tried several chairs before I bought the Ergo-Pro, and though there were others I liked, I've never regretted deciding on this one.

 

[Know It All]

I have an Ergo-Pro...It is actually new to me and I am new to it!!! My Wife got it for me as a Birthday Gift...And as many seem more willing to receive massage on a chair I desire to employ it soon in my practice...BUT it is kinda like when You have been driving an automatic car all your driving career and You are given a stick-shift to drive...( a BIT intimidating)...BUT I am READY to JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!!!

I will be posting here again!!! Thanks for all the informational posts here about the Ergo-Pro!!!

Sincerely,
CaringHandsMss

 

[WilliamJ]

I have had the Ergo-pro by Strong-lite for almost a year, and have been very pleased with it. It adjusts well - the back feet adjustments are supposed to be for the practitioner's comfort only, so you should only have to adjust them once. Everything else adjusts so well for a range of clients. The tallest person I have massaged in the chair was 6'9", and he was fine.

It is a little frustrating that there is only a screw fastener on one side for the face cradle, so for very tall people, the face cradle can tend to get a bit wobbly. However, a friend welded on a fastener on the other side, so that works better.

Some people that I massage are in their 90's and most are fine with the shin rests on. When you use the shin rests, the back is better supported.

I have taken my chair to England and Colorado. You can take it on a plane and they treat it like golf clubs. I packed the headrest in the side pocket of the case and strapped the bag up tight. It travelled fine. Other than that, I almost never use the case, and I do massage several days a week. I just find it more convenient to just have the chair, and I use the side carrying handles in areas where the wheels get noisy.

Nicer wheels - perhaps of a softer material would be nice - so that the wheels don't make such a clatter going in an office hallway!

 

[africbeauty69]

My Chair is Working quite well!!! Said I would update and it is doing well for me!!! It has become quite the tool!!!

Sincerely,
CaringHandsMss

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have 4 types of massage chair and the oakwork and stronglite are by far the superior chairs. I perfer the oakwork and 9 of the 11 therapist who are on my team perfer the oakwork.


Maria, RMT
Massage in Motion
http://www.massageinmotion.ca

 

[weddingdressesunnf]

Ideal Chair

Is there an ideal chair for an obese person who does not meet the weight limit but cannot lean foward because of bulk in the chest and abdominal areas?

How do you account for height if a person is about 6 feet tall?

 

[Epinions Reviewer.]

The Stronglite copes with people up to about 6'6", depending on if their height is in their body or their legs. That said, I managed fine with someone who is 6'9" in the chair this summer. (There are three positions for the seat.)

As to heavy people. I find that it is easier if you take the shin rests off the Stronglite, so the people are not as squished. You have to experiment with the adjustments, but the chair can adjust so well that I have never had someone that I could not manage in the chair. I also worked on someone who is probably close to 300lbs, and apart from creaking a little, the chair was fine. (It is supposed to hold up to 600lbs.)

Thanks, Marion

 

[DarkMaster]

Stronglite

I just purchased a Stronglite Ergo Pro thru AMTA and got a great deal on it: $300 shipped to me. :shock: 8) I have had an Ergo Natural : actually it's an On site delite that I got used on eBay 8 years ago. I like the Pro's wheels and that it's more adjustable for smaller folks as well as it's easier to set up. I don't like that it's made in China and I really like wood for massage equipment. Aluminum may be lighter but it's squeaky and I had bad experiences with Astralite tables and aluminum bicycles. One chair client says the foam is more grippy. I wish they made it in purple.
So I'm pleased that I've got some new equipment and I've passed down my wood chair to my wife so she can leave it at the salon.
BTW: I saw that Earthlite just purchased Stronglite, they've moved their warehouse to Salt Lake City.
Don't forget to set your clocks!
Rubmyster

 

[Tru Champion 37]

I *love* my Stronglite chair but I *hate* the case. I have the now discontinued wooden frame, but my clients love how soft and cushy the face rest and everything else is. I am now doing 3 regular chair massage accounts (one week I just have one and the other week I have 2) so I'm doing a lot of traveling with my chair. The Stronglite sits rather bulky in the case and it doesn't have wheels I even e-mailed Stronglite the other day inquiring on getting another case but they couldn't help, they said they tried to cram the wooden one into the case with wheels to no avail.

Guess I'll just need to get used to slinging it over my shoulder or buy a new chair...

 

[Pompal 09.]

The Stronglite sits rather bulky in the case and it doesn't have wheels I even e-mailed Stronglite the other day inquiring on getting another case but they couldn't help, they said they tried to cram the wooden one into the case with wheels to no avail.

Guess I'll just need to get used to slinging it over my shoulder or buy a new chair...

Hi.

I was thinking maybe you could purchase a massage table bag that already had wheels on it, when, while searching, I saw something interesting. I don't know the size of the wooden chair, but this stroller bag may be the right size... Maclaren Carry Bag for Double Stroller A410 (Black) http://comfortfirst.com/pm-28190-2971-maclaren-carry-bag-w-wheels-for-single-stroller-black-a409.aspx (I don't have kids, so I am not exactly sure about these things.)

Here is the info for the SINGLE stroller bag, not the double as mentioned above, so maybe the double would be the right size. I just can't seem to find the specs on the double right now.

The newest bag from Maclaren. The new wheels makes this the most convenient way to transport a buggy and other infant essentials, the lightweight yet strong carry bags have two zips for easy access. For travel or storage, sturdy handles make carrying easy, and a side pocket gives added storage.

Top handle make this roll with ease. A luggage label is attached and when not in use, the carry bag folds compactly away. Single stroller bag with wheels comes only in black.

Bag comes packaged in clear plastic tote for easy storage. Carry bag measures 43" long x 12 1/2 wide at base x 12" tall.

PS. I went ahead and searched their business website and there weren't any specs on the double bag either. Here is their contact info though:

Contact Us
Maclaren USA INC
4 Testa Place
South Norwalk, CT 06854 USA

Customer Service
1-877-442-4622


Looks like a darn neat bag.

 

[johnno]

One other item of interest (bigger, but may still do the trick):

EarthGear Deluxe Carry Case with Wheels

 

[kami]

I have a vineforum.xxxe wooden Stronlite which I love. Unfortunately they have been discontinued. The older wooden models are sturdier then the later ones. If you need a bag (don't buy the stronglite ones, they wear out extremely fast) contact some of the other chair massage companies. They may have a bag wthat will fit the Stronglite. If you're having trouble with the wheels, get yourself a set of skate board wheels & use them instead. Couple of my colleagues have tried & it works really well. We haven't figured out how toput wheels on the wooden model though.