On several occasions I have had people compare my rates to those charged at membership massage places and by other therapist or places that charge less than I do. So yesterday I decided to go to one of the membership places to see what exactly their massage was like. Up to this point I have never stepped foot in a massage membership place as I don’t agree with how they treat and pay their therapists, which in turn is devaluing massage in general industry wide (to me they are basically the Walmart of massage). However, I decided that instead of basing my opinion of the quality of massage they give on feedback from other people that I would try it for myself. I can say that I was not very surprised with the massage. Overall it was very relaxing and I almost fell asleep, but that could have been just from being tired. Aside from that, it pretty much confirmed my 'you get what you pay for' with massage. It was worth about $40 and that is it. The length of time, the pressure used and the overall massage were pretty much exactly what I was expecting to get for that price.
Here is a breakdown of that massage:
Here is a breakdown of that massage:
- The massage itself was just shy of 50 minutes long; I looked at the clock when she knocked on the door and again as soon as she left and it was actually about 47 minutes long.
- The techniques the therapist used were very limited and she spent a fair amount of time doing the exact same stroke over and over (about 6 times or more) in areas that did not really need that much attention.
- The work itself was not detailed at all. She only worked about mid thigh and down (the quadriceps and hamstrings are 2 of the biggest groups of muscles that we use a lot of every day and could use massage on the entire muscle) and did very little work on my gluts. She also did no work on my head, face or feet.
- The overall pressure was medium to light, even though I had told her she could not use too much pressure. I did not saying anything about the pressure to her but she also never asked either. I am not opposed to the use of lighter pressure, as there are times when it is very useful, and if the right techniques are used then that is all the pressure you need, but this was not one of those times.
- I also heard the receptionist telling another person that they are raising their monthly membership rate (for new clients) to $69.99 (though I bet they have not increased the amount they pay their therapists). So unless you have had a membership for years you are really not saving that much money and in the long run you would most likely end up paying more per massage. Yes you can save the unused massages and use them another time or transfer them to someone else, but people have a tendency to forget about those things, especially if they were not overly happy with the place. And if you cancel your membership I am not sure how long they will keep the credit for massages owed on their books.
- If I was to go in again, and because I did not sign up for a membership, the rate they charge is pretty much double their introductory rate. So unless you want to be locked into a monthly charge whether you get a massage or not, the price is no different than mine, except you have to drive there to get the massage instead of them coming to you.
I do know that on occasion people have been able to find a massage therapist at places like those that provide an overall great massage, so it is possible to do. However, they are usually worked so much that they burn out or injure themselves and in general they do not stay there very long. There are exceptions to everything so I am sure there are a few that stay around for a while, but that is not the norm from what I have been told.
Also, a few years ago I went to another place that charges about the same rate as this place did because one of my neighbors kept telling me about how much cheaper it was. So I went there to see what it was like. That place I was completely disappointed with for the following reason: I had told the therapist that I wanted deep tissue work done especially on my upper back, which I don't think she even got to medium pressure, she used St Ives lotion (about as cheap as you can get and filled with all kinds of chemicals, including alcohol which caused a burning sensation on my legs), their prices board has all these prices on it that you never pay because they 'give' you a membership card (to me that is deceiving and they only list those prices to make you think you are getting a great deal and so you tip higher as most places say that you should tip of the 'original' cost not the discounted cost), and when I was finished I paid with a $100 bill and the therapist asked if I wanted change when the total was only $60 ('original price' was $80, so 20%, which that therapist did not deserve, would have only been $16 not $40).
So, all in all, if you are looking for just a relaxing massage, not interested in having the full body massaged (minus certain areas of course), or care more about the price than the quality, then those places might just be the place for you. However, if you want a massage that really works the areas that need it, with firm pressure (if that is what you like) and is a thorough massage, then trying to save a few dollars may leave you very disappointed and without the relief that you need or want. Every person is different when it comes to the type of massage they like and/or want, so those types of places may work for some people but not for all people.
Also, a few years ago I went to another place that charges about the same rate as this place did because one of my neighbors kept telling me about how much cheaper it was. So I went there to see what it was like. That place I was completely disappointed with for the following reason: I had told the therapist that I wanted deep tissue work done especially on my upper back, which I don't think she even got to medium pressure, she used St Ives lotion (about as cheap as you can get and filled with all kinds of chemicals, including alcohol which caused a burning sensation on my legs), their prices board has all these prices on it that you never pay because they 'give' you a membership card (to me that is deceiving and they only list those prices to make you think you are getting a great deal and so you tip higher as most places say that you should tip of the 'original' cost not the discounted cost), and when I was finished I paid with a $100 bill and the therapist asked if I wanted change when the total was only $60 ('original price' was $80, so 20%, which that therapist did not deserve, would have only been $16 not $40).
So, all in all, if you are looking for just a relaxing massage, not interested in having the full body massaged (minus certain areas of course), or care more about the price than the quality, then those places might just be the place for you. However, if you want a massage that really works the areas that need it, with firm pressure (if that is what you like) and is a thorough massage, then trying to save a few dollars may leave you very disappointed and without the relief that you need or want. Every person is different when it comes to the type of massage they like and/or want, so those types of places may work for some people but not for all people.
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