This massage chair review is of the Sanyo SA 5000. We will review the key features, warranty coverage and other relevant items of this shiatsu recliner. Sanyo has integrated some interesting technology to provide effective massage therapy. This review is designed to help those looking for a mid range massage chair recliner. Let us take a look at this state of the art massage chair by Sanyo. We start with the unexciting topic of warranty coverage. The warranty coverage is to help balance out the risk of problems in the future. This is especially important on more expensive items to protect against defects. The better the warranty, the more peace of mind for the consumer. Sanyo covers the roller mechanism for 3 years, 1 year on the rest of the parts and 1 year on labor. Sanyo has finally introduced in-home technician service and is giving 1 year. Sanyo has a national call center to handle warranty items which gives them better control over service levels.
The SA 5000 comes with a full remote control and also comes with wired sub remote. The main remote control has 4 automatic programs. You can turn the chair on and then select the automatic program. Additionally, you can select a particular area of focus for your back. For example, lower back and then the massage therapy will be confined to just this area. It also operates the rest of the chair regardless of the area of focus on your back. Manual massages involve a few more steps that take some getting used to until it is more intuitive. The remote is pretty intuitive to use, but again some investment of time is required to manage the manual massages effectively.
One of the features rolled down from the higher end Sanyo is the perspiration and pulse sensor. This sensor is built into the wired sub remote. It detects areas of stress in the body. The sensor then feeds this information to the computer and the software will adjust the massage to target areas based on these readings. In order for this to function, the user must grip the sensor throughout the massage. Also, the sub remote allows you to change the position of the chair back and the leg rest. It also has a repeat function. The repeat function will command the chair to repeat the massage just given in the place it was given. This is convenient when it hits one of the key places and you need it to stay there a little longer.
There are four massage therapies in the Sanyo SA 5000. They have Stiffness, Recovery, Relax and Fine. Stiffness is a Shiatsu style massage targeting the upper body and legs. Recovery is for easing and loosening stiff and tired muscles. Relax is geared for whole body relaxation and tranquility. Fine is for increasing blood and lymph flow. These automatic massages run the entire chair and provide for full body massages. These are all one-touch controls. There are 3 stretch controls that can also be used in conjunction with the automatic massages.
The SA 5000 has some innovative and unique manual massages. In particular the Grip massage. The grip massage is possible through the GK roller system unique to Sanyo. These rollers are designed to reach out from the chair. The grip massage is effective for the shoulder and neck areas. Additionally, the manual massages are Shiatsu, Kneading, Tapping, and Combination. Shiatsu uses a combination of the chopping and kneading actions. The kneading massage is a pinching action particularly effective in loosening tight back muscles and shoulders. Tapping is a rapidly delivered soft blows at a rate of up to 200 per minute. The Combination runs the kneading and tapping at the same time.
Sanyo includes an air massage system in the SA-5000 massage recliner. The air system is driven by an air compressor. The air compressor uses a system of solenoid valves to regulate the flow and control which air bags are activated during the massage. The air massage system targets the lower body. The air bags are strategically placed to target the thighs, calves and feet. The air compression massage is sequenced with a squeeze, hold and release technique. The airbags come with specially designed shiatsu points to stimulate acupressure points in the lower body to provide full body relaxation. Additionally, Sanyo has included a heater in the foot wells. This heater just heats the bottom of your feet.
The Sanyo SA 5000 is a solid massage chair. It has a very modern and somewhat industrial looking design. There are minor designer accents with wood grain inserts on the side panels. The massage therapy is fairly effective and comprehensive. The GK rollers provide a unique Grip massage which literally reaches out over the shoulders. This is perhaps the most effective technique in the chair. The pulse and perspiration sensor is novel, but requires the user to hold it throughout the massage making it less convenient. The warranty is great on the in home technician service with one year, but less coverage is given on the chair with the exception of the rollers which are covered for one year. If you are looking at a good mid range massage chair recliner, then you should definitely put this one on your short list.
Learn why the SA 5000 is a fantastic mid class massage chair. Browse our other articles and see other recliners in this class. In addition to the Sanyo Massage Chair line we also carry Panasonic, Human Touch, Omega and many others.
