A crazy concept, right? A zero gravity chair. And as crazy as it sounds, it is truly intriguing.

This style of seating (reclining, actually) that NASA has developed involves raising an individual’s feet to the same level as the heart, and in that position, the weight stress on the spine is significantly reduced. As a side benefit, circulation is eased, one’s heart works under less pressure, and the body is able to more fully relax.

The attractions of this style of seating furniture have spread through the furniture and seating retail industry, and an amazing variety of zero gravity lounge chairs is available to today’s consumer. An online search for the phrase “zero gravity chairs” returns over one quarter of a million results: results that include both retailers and information sources about this unique style of chair.

One of the great qualities of zero gravity chairs is that a designer can manipulate so many of the amenities and characteristics to custom design something that is unique from other similar chairs. Begin with a supportive, encompassing lounge chair design, and from there add a range of adjustable features that continue to support the body fully: so well, in fact, that the individual is aware of an amazing weightless or zero gravity feeling.

Photo by katstan

Some retailers have carried the concept a step further and have produced a zero gravity massage chair that is wonderful, although significantly more complicated that the naturally moving, manually adjusting zero gravity lounge chair. These massage chairs involve electric motors and ergonomic design that usually encompass and support the human body from the neck down to the limbs. With a design that begins with the pod concept, something that fully supports the body, the final product for many of the chairs in this class end up looking something like a space age pilot’s pod or cocoon. But instead of guarding against impact, these enticing massage chairs offer relaxation and a therapeutic impression that some folks say rival human massage therapy.

Within the wide-ranging focus of these articles, the focus moves from the simple and lightweight aluminum camping chairs to the heavier and more complex seating possibilities. A zero gravity lounge chair certainly appears on the more weighty end of the spectrum, but like all the chairs considered, this style of seating has its place. Now the question is: how do we get one of those in our own living room?

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