What is an IJoy?

If you've ever priced electronic massage chairs, you'll know that prices can easily skyrocket to the thousand-dollar range. What would you say if I told you that there's an affordable model that does the job at a fraction of the cost?

Yes, it's true. The Interactive Health iJoy is available all over the Web and in retail stores, and could make a great holiday gift for someone on your list. Models start at $599 (namely, the iJoy 100), but more advanced models can go for as much as $1299 (the leather version, iJoy-320, includes calf/foot massage elements).

What do you get for the price?
These chairs come in a variety of colors, from black to taupe, and red to purple. They also come in a microsuede or leather covering to fit with your home décor. Whatever model you choose, you are going to get a quality massage with the following features:

1) Pre-set massages set to focus on the upper-, lower-, and total-body
2) Rolling, kneading, compression, and percussion settings
3) Wheels for easy mobility
4) Reclining ability
5) A remote control to easily operate the chair
6) A child-safety lock

How good is this for you?
You should never consider buying a massage chair if you haven't checked with your doctor and have a heart condition, are pregnant, or are being treated by a chiropractor. But is this chair a healthy option for the average user?

The Interactive Health iJoy chair uses the multi-patent Human Touch Technology that is approved by the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists. Instead of making your back do things it is not meant to do, the iJoy is designed to follow the natural shape of your spine and relax the back in a similar way to a spa visit.

How can I snatch a bargain on this chair? And will these companies ship?
The iJoy chair is available online at TheSharperImage.com, BedBathandBeyond.com (though they only carry the 100 model in gray), various online discount retailers (check Buy.com, Amazon.com, and Overstock.com for availability, which changes), and on eBay. If buying through any of these markets, make sure you check to see if you are getting a new or refurbished model, and make sure the warrantee and return policies are acceptable to you.

Most companies will ship anywhere in the Continental U.S. for an extra $99. And this is to-your-door-delivery. Some eBay auctions offer free shipping, but read the fine print if you go this way.

I purchased my iJoy mini at Sam's Club online (www.samsclub.com) for a discount price of $449. The mini model, which I could only find at Sam's, offers all of the massage functions as other iJoys except the compression button. But it was brand-new and offers a full Sam's Club guarantee, so I chose that over the other options.

The chair is a great option for the price, though I'd have to say it doesn't quite feel like a massage by human hands. Still, this machine gets the job done and is wonderful to come home to after a long day of work.