Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

[Mikiki]

I'm thinking of purchasing the Stronglite: Ergo-Pro Massage Chair.  The carrying case that it comes with seems like it could be a pain to deal with.  I'd be interesting in reading about experiences other therapists have had with this.Thanks!

 

[zerolandy33]

well, i don't have that chair but i do have the golden ratio chair.  i love it because it folds flat and weighs about 14 pounds.  when everyone else is busy trying to stuff their chair in the case and figure a way to drag it out, i'm already in my car and heading for home.  it's so easy to pack up!  i love it.  can't think of the name of it but they only have 2 (i think) and one is just a bigger version of the other.  

 

[~*~3 WKS LEFT~*~]

I posted some more links for you to look through on the board here.  I think it may help you out regarding info on the Stronglite.  

 

[Mollie SN]

I thought I would weigh in on this one because I just bought this chair and am absolutely thrilled with it!  Although this is the first chair I've owned I have borrowed two others for events before (sorry I don't remember what kind they were) and they definitely left a lot to be desired.  The chairs themselves were difficult to set up and adjust. They felt flimsy and the material wasn't soft and comfortable.  And then trying to get them to fit back in the case left me pretty unhappy. So all of that said, the Stronglit Ergo-Pro chair has none of these problems.  Everyone that has sat in it has commented on how sturdy it feels how comfortable it is, and how soft the material feels. In fact everyone wants to just sleep in it.  As for me, I love the exact adjusting you can do to make it fit you as the therapist as well as each of your clients. And I have no problem with the case.  I lay it open, roll the folded chair into it and zip it up.  All done quickly and efficiently!I'd say go for it.

 

[Rob Roy]

 I got a Stronglite ErgoPro last week, and I'm not too thrilled with it. One big thing is that it's clearly advertised in the Massage Warehouse catalog as being manufactured in their Oregon facility. However, mine was drop shipped directly from Stronglite in a well marked ErgoPro box that says "MADE IN CHINA". When I set it up and sat on it I was dismayed to find that every piece of this chair has at least 1/2" of play, and it makes a lot of creaking noises. It's mostly riveted together, so you can't tighten anything. To top it off, the wooden chest plate base came badly cracked, and I haven't received a reply to my 2 e-mails to MW about that. I think it's going back, even if it does cost me the freight.

 

[Daniel - Mr. Ripley]

Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

Garyin VT,Wow.  Amazing!   Did you get the one made of metal?I have had mine (metal) for over 4 years now, major use and never seen such a thing as what you describe.If massage warehouse won't listen to you, you may do good by calling stronglite themselves.What a major bummer.  I love stronglite (have three tables and 1 chair by them, myself).  I hate to hear this.  

 

[Spicey Meatball]

 Per Jerry at StrongLite the ErgoPro is made "overseas" (China), while the ErgoNatural is made in the U.S.  That explains why the price dropped so much on the ErgoPro. I seriously doubt the ones for $349 now are the equal of the ones selling for $450+ last year. I could see spending $175 at Costco for the Chinese ErgoPro, but not $350.  To StrongLite's credit, though, they are making good on the deal by paying the return freight, and he's going to have Massage Warehouse correct their website ad stating that the chair is made in Oregon.   Still shopping.....!

 

[sarah h]

Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

I was wondering how it could be so much less. Should have guessed it was an import.I will be receiving one for a graduation present, hopefully this week. I just graduated from MT school. I will see how it is and let you know. If I had known originally it was made in China I wouldn't have ordered it. Thanks Massage Warehouse. Nothing with the Chinese I just think Chinese made products are not as good quality. (Like my Motorola V400 cell phone. Made in China. Worst quality phone I've ever owned. And the most expensive.)Dave

 

[jennifer31]

Uh-oh...Looks like I was tricked by their description on Massage Warehouse's site, also.  I just ordered the Ergo Pro and will get it in a couple of days.  I'll let ya know what I think of it.  I've used a chair that was made in China and cost the guy $150.  Wasn't the sturdiest chair, in my opinion, but it got the job done for him.  Arnold

 

[Ice]

I thought I would also verify the fact that they *are* having these built in China now. I had my finger on the buy button, when I found this forum, and contacted Stronglite directly. Mike Gottlieb verified that they were having it made in China, to lower the cost and make it more affordable for therapists. I  personally, have tried hard to buy American when possible, and I am a little skeptical about the quality staying the same. I think I'll wait for others to report back...

 

[[email protected]]

I received my Ergo Pro chair a couple weeks ago and I'm very impressed with it.  It may be made in China, but the quality seems to be very high.  Everything fits well and it doesn't have the appearance of an "overseas" massage chair.  I also see no problems with the carrying case that comes with it.  They give you specific instructions on how to load it in the case so that the wheels poke out the special hole at the bottom.  That makes it much easier to move.Everything considered, the Stronglite Ergo Pro is an excellent buy.  Arnold,Student Massage Therapist

 

[Cap.n1Eye]

Glad to hear, monkeyshaman.  

 

[Stan P]

Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

I am very glad to hear that, also. They also did verify, that the chairs, no matter where they're made, still come with their great warranty. Thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[Ella]

Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

Just wanted to let everyone know, that after several emails back and forth with Stronglite, I am satisfied that their intentions are honorable. Mike assured me that they did not take this decision lightly (I would find it very hard to believe that a company with their reputation would). He explained that they were trying to make the chair available to more therapists, since their previous package price had been a little out of some people's reach. Viewing past posts, I can see that this was a concern for many people. He did assure me that they made this move without letting go of any of their Oregon staff. I have placed my order for the ErgoPro through Massage Warehouse, and seeing as they are one state away, maybe I will have news to report next week. I figure with the 30 day return policy, and the Stronglite warranty, I don't have much to lose. I will let everyone know my thoughts. My other exposure has been the Oakworks Portal, so I will be able to compare the two.Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

[nowhereman]

I originally purchased a Dolphin which I found to be too complicated to operate. I paid a lot for it and could not get past that. I sold it at a loss on this site. I contacted many people who love it and have no  trouble operating it. My massage product supplier had told me before I got it that they stopped carrying it because so many people had trouble operating it and were always returning them. I did not listen and purchased it because of all it could do. I even kept testing it on myself to see if I could feel comfotable in it and I never could. Again I found the positions difficult to get right.I met a girl at the car wash in Santa Monica who has been going there on Saturday's for the past 10 years and my husband inquired about the chair she uses. She called me and told me she has always used Stronglite (with the metal legs) so I ordered the Pro model directly from Stronglite in September. I think it was around $450.00 or so at the time. Have not been able to use it yet as I am not licensed in Nevada (Nationals) and I have to have that to be able to work.I did try the chair and was happy with the way it operated and I felt very comfortable on it. I think I will be very happy with it.Barbara

 

[Mickey K]

Barbara,Thank you for your input. I came *so* close to ordering a Dolphin. I really want those things to work! I'm not saying they don't, but there certainly are not enough satisfied users reporting back to make an educated guess! And their website bothers me. When I first started looking at them, I thought, "Well, the website is a little unprofessional, but they're probably just starting up." But they've been around since 1977! Web image is important, especially since so many in our community order online. I'd think these companies would be more concerned with their image, and hire a web professional!I am glad you are happy with your Stronglite. I have my fingers crossed.  

 

[Rottie Momma]

I've used almost all professional massage chairs available: dolphin, avila, ergo-pro, portal pro, etc.. and I can say without a doubt that the Stronglite is the best massage chair currently available.  It's extremely sturdy, I'm able to work on very large people with complete confidence that the chair will not fail.  I can't say this about any other chair on the market.  It's also very easy to adjust: just one lever locks down the angle and height of the chest pad at any angle or level.   My only critique is that the chest pad could be a bit thicker.The only chair I prefer over the Stronglite is the discontinued Earthlite Travelor which was hands down the most comfortable chair (though a little tricky to assemble.)  Unfortunately Earthlite replaced these with the Avila which , though pretty cool looking, is barely usable.  A company called Earthgear started manufacturing a massage chair based on the Travelor but I've heard some very bad feedback regarding its reliability.  (Apparently, it's made out of low-quality tubular aluminum with very poor quality hardware and their customer service is nonexistant.)

 

[theologynut]

Thank you for sharing more positive feedback. The working weight was a concern, because I am in the South, and we do love our peanut butter pie down here.  

 

[caspar]

 Wow, I must have gotten a real lemon with my ErgoPro. At school we have a Golden Ratio, a QuickLte, a Stronglite NaturalPro (or whatever, the wooden ErgoPro) and an Oakworks Portal Pro 3. As I said previously I returned my ErgoPro due to the fact that everything squirmed and creaked and flexed when I sat on the thing...made me feel like I weighed 500 lbs! I've since spent an extra $100 and purcahsed an Oakworks Portal Pro 3 package from bodyworkmall.com for $450, and the quality difference is night and day. I'm not here to slam anyone's preferences, just saying what I found. BTW massagewarehouse.com NEVER returned my e-mails. I had to do the return through Stronglite, and they took care of everything in a very courteous manner. I'm happy, everyone else is happy w/their Stronglites, so I guess all is good.

 

[lostinlove1919]

Stronglite Ergo-Pro Massage Chair

Wow, that's odd. After I placed my order on the website, it showed up later as being *backordered*, so I called Massage Warehouse. I think it's the best customer service I've gotten on the phone or in person, in a long time! The rep was very friendly and helpful. Apparently, something else I had ordered, was holding up the order and making the Package Deal show up as not available. She went in and fixed it, and got everything else back on track. Maybe it was a unfortunate chain of events. I'll report on the quality when it gets here. She said Monday or Tuesday.