How to Assemble a Massage Chair

Last updated September 2026 by the Forward Furniture team

There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long, stressful day and zoning out in your massage chair. It’s cheaper and easier than visiting a massage therapist, it’s completely customizable, and it brings amazing health benefits to your doorstep. 

If you invest in a massage chair that needs assembling, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll explain how to assemble a massage chair, and how to disassemble massage chairs if you need to move them. 

Before we get into that, though, do you know what’s better than massage chair assembly? Investing in a massage chair that’s already assembled! At Forward Furniture, we have the best selection of massage chairs for sale with no assembly required. Relaxation has never been easier! 

Why Most Massage Chairs Require Assembly

Most massage chairs require assembly due to their size, complexity, and design features. Shipping a fully assembled chair can be costly, so many manufacturers break the chairs down into more manageable parts for safer and more affordable transport. 

Although it can sometimes make shipping cheaper, it also means you have to learn how to assemble a massage chair properly, as any assembly mistake could damage your chair. So, let’s talk about how to assemble a massage chair without damaging any of the components. 

How to Assemble a Massage Chair

Whether you’re using a massage chair when pregnant or to improve your sleep habits, proper massage chair assembly is essential if you want to unlock all the mental and physical massage chair benefits. Here’s how to assemble a massage chair safely and accurately. 

Picking the Perfect Space

Figuring out how to move a massage chair isn’t easy due to its bulky size and weight, so it’s important to make sure you understand where to put massage chair in the first place. 

Choose somewhere spacious enough for the chair to recline fully and with easy access to a power outlet. Ideally, you want to be able to move freely around the chair, and preferably have it set up in a quiet, relaxing room in your home. 

Unpacking the Components

Carefully unpack the box and take note of all the components and hardware included. Most massage chairs will come with several large parts like the base, backrest, and armrests, along with smaller items such as screws and bolts. 

Lay everything out on a clean, flat surface and cross-reference with the assembly instructions to ensure nothing is missing before starting assembly. Be mindful of any wiring and fragile parts that could be damaged as you unpack them.

Tools Required for Assembly

While some massage chairs come with the necessary tools, it's a good idea to have your own on hand in case they aren’t provided. Common tools include a screwdriver, an Allen wrench, and sometimes a pair of pliers. 

Check the instruction manual to see which massage chair assembly tools are required for your specific model. Having the right tools ready will make the process much smoother and help you get your massage chair set up faster.

Detailed Assembly Instructions

Follow your massage chair assembly instruction manual closely, as each chair model will have specific assembly steps, which can differ between 2d vs 3d vs 4d massage chairs. Typically, you’ll start by attaching the base to the main seat, followed by connecting the backrest, armrests, and footrest. 

Be sure to tighten all screws and bolts securely to ensure stability. Some chairs may also require you to connect electrical components, such as the control panel or massage motors. Handle these parts with care to avoid damaging any wires or connections. 

Once assembled, double-check that all parts are secure and functioning before plugging the chair into a power source. Make sure you understand how to use massage chair safely before sitting in your chair for the first time. Once it powers on, our guide on how to connect Bluetooth to a massage chair covers pairing your phone to the speakers.

When in Doubt, Reach Out!

If you run into any issues during massage chair assembly, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Many manufacturers and massage chair retailers offer customer support services, detailed video tutorials, or even professional massage chair assembly services. 

Given the relatively high massage chair cost, it’s always better to ask for assistance than risk damaging your new chair or improperly assembling it. Checking online resources like forums and reviews can also provide helpful tips if you're stuck.

Which of Our Chairs Need Assembly?

Per each product page. Delivery is curbside, so plan two people to carry the box in; the Nirvana weighs 187 pounds.

How to Disassemble a Massage Chair

Learning how to disassemble massage chairs is sometimes necessary if you need to move your chair. Once again, you’ll need to follow the specific instructions for your model, but here’s an idea of what the disassembly process looks like. 

Preparing for Disassembly

Before starting, make sure that the massage chair is unplugged from any power source to avoid electrical hazards. Clear the surrounding area to give yourself plenty of space to work. It's also a good idea to have containers available to store screws, bolts, and smaller parts during the process. 

Having the instruction manual handy, or an online tutorial, can be helpful for referencing the original assembly instructions, which will usually help you understand how to disassemble massage chairs.

Systematic Breakdown Procedures

Begin by removing any detachable components, such as the footrest and armrests, which are usually the easiest parts to disconnect. Work in reverse order from how the chair was assembled, starting with the external pieces before moving on to the larger sections like the backrest and base. 

Carefully disconnect any electrical components, such as the control panel or wiring, ensuring that you don’t damage any connectors. If your chair has air compression systems, be cautious when detaching tubes to avoid punctures. 

Tips for Organizing and Storing Parts

As you disassemble the chair, it’s important to stay organized. Place small parts like screws, nuts, and bolts into labelled containers to ensure nothing gets lost. Larger components can be stacked or stored in a way that prevents scratching or damage during transport. 

If you’re planning to reassemble the chair later, you might want to take photos of each step for easy reference. Keep all tools and the instruction manual together so that everything is ready when you need to put the chair back together.

Do You Have to Assemble a Massage Chair?

We’ve explained how to assemble a massage chair, but do you always have to assemble a new chair? Let’s take a look at why massage chair assembly is sometimes best avoided, and some of the ways you can get around assembling your massage chair. 

The Challenges of Massage Chair Assembly

Massage chairs often come with multiple components that need to be assembled, such as the base, backrest, footrest, and armrests. Some chairs are easy to assemble, but others can be more complex due to advanced features like motorized systems, air compression units, and wiring. 

Assembly can be time-consuming - even a basic massage chair can take a few hours to put together. You’ll also need tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, which may or may not be included with your chair. It’s not always an easy process, especially if the instructions aren’t clear. 

Are Massage Chair Assembly Services Worth it?

If you’re not confident in your abilities to assemble your massage chair, or you don’t have the time, there are professional massage chair assembly services that can take care of the assembly for you. 

But are massage chairs worth it if you have to pay for assembly? Yes - professional assembly usually comes at an extra cost, but it also gives you the peace of mind that your chair is safely and accurately assembled. 

Especially for larger, more advanced chairs, paying for assembly services might be worth the cost to avoid frustration and potential mistakes during setup. Many of these services also offer warranties on the assembly, providing a security net in case something goes wrong during the process.

Shop at Forward Furniture for Assembly-Free Massage Chairs!

If you’re wondering where to buy massage chair that doesn’t need any assembly, you can find the best massage chairs here at Forward Furniture. Delivered to your doorstep ready to go, you won’t need to worry about wasting hours trying to put your chair together. 

As well as saving yourself significant time and frustration, you can also rest assured that your chair is properly assembled and safe to use. You don’t need to worry about voiding your warranty or paying for professional assembly services - just plug it in and relax, literally! 

And, if you’re not sure what to look for in a massage chair, how to get insurance to pay for massage chair, or how long should you sit in a massage chair, our team is always available to answer your questions and help you find a chair that feels like it’s designed for you. Visit us for: 

• Massage chairs Calgary
• Massage chairs Edmonton
• Massage chairs Winnipeg
• Massage chair Vancouver
• Massage chair Toronto
• Kelowna furniture store

How long do massage chairs last from Forward Furniture? Every chair is covered by our 3 year warranty on parts and workmanship, ours or the maker’s, whichever is longer, and as long as they’re cared for properly, they can last for many years. 

The Bliss Pro Arrives Fully Assembled. Zero Tools, Zero Hassle.

The Bliss Pro Massage Chair delivers full body heated massage with zero gravity positioning, Bluetooth speakers, and an LCD touchscreen. Current pricing is on the product page. It arrives fully assembled, no tools or setup needed, and comes with a 90-day home trial and a 3 year warranty on parts and workmanship.

If you’re looking for a premium upgrade, the Nirvana Massage Chair offers advanced features, and the Serenity Massage Chair provides luxury comfort. Current pricing for both is on their product pages. All three ship across Canada, with rates set out on our shipping policy page.

Browse Our Massage Chair Collection →

Massage Chairs That Arrive Fully Assembled

Bliss Pro Massage Chair
$1,499.99

Bluetooth speakers, heat, zero gravity. Arrives fully assembled in one box.

Serenity Massage Chair
$2,199.99

SL track rollers, heat and Bluetooth that pairs with a phone, laptop or TV.

Nirvana Massage Chair
$3,499.99

Our widest seat (30 inches opened), voice control and Bluetooth; fits up to 275 lb.

Prices are live in-stock prices from our catalogue. Every chair has a 3-year warranty and a 90-day home trial.

Massage Chair Assembly FAQ

Do massage chairs come fully assembled?

Some do. The Bliss Pro, Serenity and Nirvana arrive fully assembled in one box that fits a standard 32 inch doorway. Many other chairs ship in parts and need the leg rest, arm panels and hoses attached.

How long does it take to assemble a massage chair?

Usually one to two hours with two people for a chair that ships in parts, most of it unpacking and lining up bolts. A pre-assembled chair only needs unboxing and plugging in.

Is there a massage chair assembly service?

Some retailers and handyman services offer it for a fee. With a pre-assembled chair you do not need one; you only need help carrying it in, since delivery is curbside.

Wrapping Up Our Guide on How to Assemble a Massage Chair

Assembling a massage chair can be a big, frustrating task requiring some specialized tools. Rather than spending hours bent over an unclear instruction guide, or wondering whether you’re supposed to have that many screws left over, why not save yourself the stress and opt for a pre-assembled chair?

At Forward Furniture, we have the best selection of premium massage chairs, delivered to your door and ready to use out of the box. We never charge extra for pre-assembled shipping - in fact, we ship all orders across Canada for $49 to $249 depending on your order total! 

Shop online at Forward Furniture or visit our stores to find a massage chair that brings relief and relaxation whenever you need it!