Harder, harder yes thats the spot (Homedics SBM-300)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	Homedics SBM-300
Date:	06/01/09 (261 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: deep massaging action, no need to wait for a massage appointment

Disadvantages: A little pricey

I have been eyeing up these deluxe massagers since last Christmas. Our local Department Store had one out for testing in the run up to Christmas last year and every lunch hour on working days I stopped into the store and sat my wee butt down on this piece of massaging magic. As is was £159.99 I didn't feel it was worth purchasing but boy did I thoroughly enjoy the two minute rental I was receiving most days.

I waited for last years January sales thinking they were bound to reduce them to half price but no they just packed up the tester chair and they weren't seen again until this November. When I saw the little padded seat strapped to the tall leather chair again I swear my stomach almost flipped over with excitement I was so glad to see it back.

As previously I visited my little massage chair every day when I have been working and there have been embarrassing scenes where I sat and let little murmurs of contentment and relief escape while a little crowd had gathered to see what the weird woman with the shopping bags and the large smile on her face was doing.

I wasn't going to rely on my 50% sale idea this year so began looking online, a few days before Christmas I saw an offer on Boots.com which showed this Homedic massager with 25% off which brought it down to £117.00.

The box didn't arrive until after Christmas but as it was a present to me from me it didn't really matter. Standing with my £100 piece of high tech equipment in my hand I have to say it really does look like a childs car seat, the ones were you can unzip the back and leave just the little cushion. I hadn't noticed this before because the look changes immediately on placing on a high backed office chair which is where I had previously seen it.

We looked it over and discovered a little black allen key attached in a plastic bag so we then had to locate which bit needed adjusted. Even without referring to the manual it was easy enough to realize that it was the screw at the back which holds it all together until it is going to be used for the first time.

Although I have only seen the massager placed on quite a straight backed office type chair I decided I would chance placing the massager on my leather settee and not using the straps which hold it on. Rather than placing it on one of my dining chairs as the settee is so much more comfortable and has quite a high back.

I placed the massager at the edge of the settee which allowed me to place the remote control on the arm (there is also a pocket for it when not in use) so I couldn't lose it when I hopefully went off into the same raptures which occurred in the Store. You then need to plug the lead from the massager into the transformer and this into the socket.

The massager itself has quite a tall rigid back which does not mould to your body the massaging action comes from the shiatsu mechanism which operates behind the cover. You can choose to use what essentially feels like a pair of giant thumbs to rub you in a shiatsu style or in a rolling style. On closer examination the shiatsu thumbs actually feel like different sized door knobs, two slightly larger than the other two.

It is possible to add heat to the massage and when you turn the heat on the thumbs (moving bits) glow red which looks great but as its winter and I'm sitting on it while wearing a thick jumper etc I can't really feel the heat.

It probably sounds strange that I would stop the mechanism at an unpleasant feeling area but I always feel a massage is only doing me good if I can feel the muscles being moved about and cajoled into perking up, I tried a relaxing massage once with a real masseuse and it was one of the most unsatisfying ½ hours I have spent. I'm much more into being pummeled than lightly stroked when it comes to a massage.

You can also choose whether to just massage the top part of your back or the lower part, great for those who only have problems say in their lower back after a days gardening although I guess the spot massage where you can stop it at a particular point covers that eventuality too. My family all think I'm slightly insane as I keep saying thankyou to the seat pad when it hits just the right spot and grinds in.

With the rolling massage it is also possible to adjust the width that the little mechanisms move up and down at, so you can change from having the rolling massage rub just to the sides of your backbone or further out at the more muscle covered bits.

The instructions recommend that you do not use it before bedtime as it is a stimulating massage rather than a relaxing one but I feel relaxed afterwards rather than wanting to get up and run a five mile race, so it probably effects different people in different ways.

The bulk of the unit is in a quite fancy faux leather look while the front has a kind of woven fabric effect covering the mechanism which to me looks a little frail and easily snagged but so far it hasn't snagged and if the one in the Department Store which was being used day in\day out for months didn't get snagged then why should mine.

Warnings :

It should always be placed on a chair.
Not for use by people with pacemakers or pregnant women unless they ask their doctor first.
Infants, invalids or a sleeping or unconscious person should not use it
People with sensitive skin or poor blood circulation should never use it
Never use it directly on swollen or inflamed areas or skin eruptions
Stop use if you feel any discomfort
Do not use for longer than 15 minutes in one session.

If you compare just over £100.00 for an effective get your thumbs right in there massage whenever you want it to 3 visits to a masseuse or £50 for a vibrating chair pad that doesn't get right in there and hit the spot I think value wise its not too bad.
It really does bring relief to tight aching muscles.

This is not a slight rub, the little knobby bits are really powerful and for some the difference in strength can really be felt depending on what is between your back and the knobs so some may be happy in a tshirt others may prefer to wear a thick fleece.

Pros
6 programs. full, lower or upper Body shiatsu or rolling massage
Adjustable width settings
The ability to stop and concentrate in a particular spot
Heat

Cons
price

Summary: You can feel it working