A full-body massage chair often weighs around 100 kilograms and arrives in a large box. Before delivery, measure your doors, hallway and stairwell, choose a spot with enough clearance from the wall and plan for a wall socket nearby. Keep the box for as long as you can still withdraw from the purchase, and read the manual briefly before the first start.
Before delivery: three measurements that matter
Most problems when a massage chair moves in arise not during assembly but on the way there. You should know three measurements before the chair arrives.
Doors and hallway
Measure the narrowest door on the way to the chair's spot. It is usually the front door of the flat or a room door. Compare its width with the dimensions of the box or the individual parts on the product page. Also think about corners in the hallway that the package has to be turned around.
Stairwell
In a flat without a lift, the width of the stairs and the space on the landings count. A heavy package cannot be tilted at will. When you order, say which floor the chair is to be set up on.
The spot
A massage chair needs more room than it takes up when upright. In the reclined position, the backrest and footrest extend. How much clearance from the wall you should allow is explained in Massage chair: space requirements.
Power and flooring
Place the chair so that the cable reaches a wall socket without strain and without creating a trip hazard. Multi-plug adaptors shared with lots of other devices are not a good idea. How much power the chair uses in operation is covered in How much electricity does a massage chair use?.
On delicate parquet or soft carpet, a mat helps. It spreads the weight and protects the floor when the chair works as it reclines.
On delivery day
Clear the route from the entrance to the spot. A chair of this size is carried by two people. NAIPO delivers free of charge within Germany and has its own technicians for assembly and repair. Which delivery method applies to your model is shown on the product page and under Shipping costs.
Check the package for visible damage when you accept it. If something is dented or torn, have it noted on the delivery note and take a photo.
Assembly
Many massage chairs arrive in several parts, such as the main body, backrest, armrests and footrest. The parts are slotted together or screwed, and cables and air hoses are connected. Follow the order in the manual. If you mix up air hoses or do not push them on fully, you will notice later when air cushions do not inflate.
After assembly, only move the chair on its transport wheels, if it has any. How to move it later without damage is described in How to transport a massage chair properly.
Box and withdrawal
When you buy in the online shop, you have a 14-day right of withdrawal. A return is intended in original condition with the box. So keep the box and packaging parts for at least that long. With such a large device this is a nuisance, but if it comes to it, it makes things much easier.
The first start
- Switch on the mains switch if the chair has one, then switch on the remote control or tablet.
- Sit all the way back, shoulders against the backrest, feet centred in the foot rest.
- Start a gentle automatic programme. Many chairs measure your position at the start, so sit still while they do.
- Only increase the intensity after a few days.
For the first few weeks: short and frequent is better than long and rare. A programme of 15 to 20 minutes is enough to begin with.
Still looking for the right model? You will find every chair in the overview of massage chairs.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is a massage chair?
Full-body chairs often weigh around 100 kilograms, compact models considerably less. The exact weight is on the product page.
Can I assemble the chair on my own?
Carrying and assembling it takes two people. Ask when you buy whether assembly can be booked as well.
How long should I keep the box?
At least until the end of the 14-day withdrawal period.
Does the chair need its own socket?
A wall socket nearby is ideal. A long extension cable across the room is a trip hazard.
Written by NAIPO Editorial Team · Massage & Product Experts from Hamburg
Product experts, service technicians, and massage enthusiasts at Alsterwell GmbH — specializing in massage technology for over a decade, with our own workshop and showrooms for test sitting.
Fact-checked by David Eberst · Co-founder of NAIPO
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