Choose the right relax chair according to your body shape

Why, today, should we do without comfort? Long considered a product reserved for seniors, the relaxation chair has now become a well-being ally for everyone. Increasingly stylish, the relax armchair now fits into all interiors without losing its original usefulness. Please note that to choose a relaxing armchair, one element is essential... your body shape!

1. What is a relax chair? 2. A relax armchair for whom and for what use? 3. Medical variations: different comforts depending on the pathologies 4. Variations and other functionalities, to go further in relaxation

What is a relax chair?

Definition

A relax armchair is an armchair in which you adapt the position of the backrest and footrest according to your needs, to find the best relaxation position. Known for offering you a personalized moment of relaxation, there are many variations of relax armchairs.

Each of the options contributes to your well-being:

• Headrest: non-existent, fixed, removable or disengageable;
• Footrest: separate or integrated;
• Structure: fixed, 360° rotating, on casters...
• Mechanism: manual, electric from mains or with battery option;
• Well-being: relaxing, medical.

For the record... World sleep specialists have demonstrated that relaxation is accentuated when we manage to free ourselves from the weight of our body to achieve sensations close to weightlessness.

The origin of the relax armchair

From the first known model to today, the relax armchair has evolved enormously. The history of the recliner began in 1928, in the small town of Monroe, Michigan. Two cousins, Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker, set out to design a chair whose concept was “nature's way of relaxing”. They invented a wooden porch chair, with a reclining mechanism, La-Z-Boy. They founded their company of the same name with the slogan “Live life comfortably”.

Wooden Porch Chair

Many companies have taken their concept of relaxation and increased the number of relaxing options. It was originally an armchair whose line left something to be desired and which was reserved for an elderly population. Over time, it becomes more and more stylish and is now suitable for all ages.

A relax armchair for whom and for what use?

If relaxation is suitable for the whole family today, we will not choose the same model for everyone. Perfection only exists in diversity. The perfect Relax is the one that takes your phenotype into account.

To choose the relaxer that suits you best, it is important to ask yourself the right questions:

1. How tall are you?
2. What is your comfort need? What use do you want to make of it?

Relax armchair: depending on its size

The first thing to do when choosing your chair is to define the size that suits you. Each size corresponds to a seat height and depth which have a huge impact on comfort. You will be much more comfortable if the bend in your knee is positioned where the chair folds. If the chair is too big for you, a pressure point will be created at the calf level and your shoulder will fall badly on the chair... This is therefore an essential point not to be overlooked when making your choice.

5 sizes of Relax armchair

The following measurements can serve as a guide but need to be qualified. The proportions of the human body vary depending on the individual. Some have a wider bust, others have longer legs...

• If you are less than 1m50 tall, you will choose an XS model, with a height of 42cm and a depth of 50cm;
• If you are less than 1m60 tall, you will choose an S model, with a height of 44cm and a depth of 52cm;
• If you are less than 1m65 tall, you will choose an M model, with a height of 46cm and a depth of 54cm;
• If you are less than 1m75 tall, you will choose an L model, with a height of 50cm and a depth of 56cm;
• If you are over 1m75 tall, you will choose an XL model, with a height of 52cm and a depth of 58cm.

Different uses

Today the relax chair is revolutionary in terms of comfort. Manufacturers question themselves all the time. It seems almost impossible not to find comfort in a relax armchair. There are armchair, sofa, office armchair versions... You must therefore also choose your precious armchair according to the use you wish to make of it.

As it helps relieve tension, improve concentration and even good mood, the relaxed office chair is very popular in companies. We can no longer count the number of professions promoting the benefits of relaxing between two meetings or appointments. More and more psychologists and psychiatrists are choosing to equip their offices with relax armchairs, for their own comfort and that of their patients. The effect on their work is immediate. Where the bed could prove destabilizing, the variable position reassures and tensions are released more quickly.

Metro Relax Armchair by Stressless

On a daily basis, we all feel the need to relax and recharge our batteries. In a relaxed position, even pathological back tensions are relieved.

Medical variations: different comforts depending on the pathologies

Certain relax chairs are designed to provide relaxation and relieve various pathologies linked to stress, back problems, heart problems, abdominal problems... and thus fully meet your essential well-being needs.

The enveloping file

Today the disease of the century is back pain, 80% of French people suffer from it. For problems with back hernias, spinal columns or vertebrae compression, it is preferable to choose from models without demarcation at the back or an enveloping backrest, but never a backrest with a horizontal gap.

Enveloping folder

The enveloping backrests are very ergonomic and without any pressure points. Thanks to the vertical fold, the body is supported without the slightest effort. Perfect for taking a restful nap in your armchair.

The lift chair

The lift chair is an armchair that facilitates the transition from a sitting to standing position. It mainly supports people with reduced mobility who may have difficulty getting up or sitting down.

Bélinda Relax Lift Chair by Maestri

This relax chair is not exclusively intended for seniors. It is ideal for a person leaving the hospital. Thanks to the support of the movement, it allows you to get up without having to use your abs, without straining your knees, your arms, etc.

The cardio option

The cardio function allows the legs to be raised above the pelvis, which generates venous return. Ideal for people with heart problems, it also works on varicose vein problems, whatever the pathologies of heavy legs.

Relax chair in cardio position

Available on many relax chairs, you can sometimes even raise the backrest, to stay in a cardio position and watch television or read a book, without hurting your neck. More and more brands are integrating this function into all their models.

The massage option

A massage chair has 2 to 8 rollers which move along a rod, they go up and down and spread apart to massage the entire back, from the lumbar to the shoulders. It is possible to choose the intensity of the massage, the areas to be treated from head to toe...

Relax massage chair at Himolla

If you are very stressed by nature, it is recommended, for greater well-being, to supplement this option with the heating function. By heating the muscle, the impact of the massage on muscle relaxation is greater. If this does not replace physiotherapy, it can help you avoid going there regularly. It's a good compromise.

Good to know: Contrary to popular belief, not all relax chairs are massaging.

Variations and other features, to go further in relaxation

The electric headrest and armrest option

There are options that suit everyone. Depending on the Relax model, and especially the brand, you can personalize your relaxation chair. The headrests may be absent, adjustable or disengageable... Some models even offer shape memory headrests!

Relax armchair with ergonomic armrest

Traditionally, the armrests remain fixed when the chair moves into a relaxed position. The latest novelty is the ergonomic armrest. By following the inclination of the backrest, and therefore the movement of the arm, the opening becomes very fluid. Relaxation begins as soon as the chair is opened.

The sofa version

From now on, the sofas are also relaxed. To the eye, some look like the most classic sofas, except that they have all the options of a relax armchair. The advantage for most is that, unlike the recliner, you will no longer need to maintain a space between the piece of furniture and the wall. The seats move during opening.

Relax Sofa[

New relaxation models are created regularly. Do not hesitate to go to the store to discover and test the different models...

To find out more about this essential relaxation and its variations, discover the advice of our relaxation expert, Jeannette Lhériau.