WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
A big thank you to the great people at massage Warehouse. I can’t imagine being more satisfied and pleased with their 5 star customer service, knowledge, product selection, prices and shipping. If you haven’t already, go check out their website. Great products for massage therapists, bodyworkers, estheticians and non-professionals too!
- Mountain Mobile Massage and Spa.
We started using these sheets over a year ago and they were the best investment we have ever made. We do over 200 massage/week. These sheets are not only soft and attractive; they are durable and virtually wrinkle free. Thanks you Angie Patrick and massage Warehouse for your amazing service and pricing!
- The Boston Bodyworkers LLC.
Massage Chairs
SO YOU WANT TO BUY A MASSAGE CHAIR?Did you know a great way to market yourself as a massage therapist and become known in your community to those interested in massage is to work charity events or volunteer performing chair massage? Did you know this is an incredibly effective way to give people an opportunity to appreciate your talent as a therapist as well as afford you a pocket of time to develop a rapport in order to better your opportunity of retaining them as a client for further services? Did you know that there are professional massage chairs on the market ranging from under $200 to over $600? How do you know what you need? How can you be sure the chair you buy will best suit your needs? Let's take a look at the different uses for a massage chair, and use that information to determine how much chair you need to fulfill your specific needs. |
What should a massage therapist be looking for when they buying a table? Economic Chair You will likely find a chair that fits your needs in the $150-$250 price point. Usually, chairs in this area are not filled with a ton of bells and whistles, nor do they offer a wide array of customization and adjustment; however, for the purposes listed above, these chairs fit the bill! Light (usually made of light-weight aluminum), economical, and generally workable in functionality - these chairs will make it easy for you to start networking. Look for chairs in this price range to offer adjustable heights on the seat, adjustable slide sternum plates, and a dual adjustable headrest. These should also come with a carry case. Mid- to High-End Chair Now, let's look at the chair you need for more regular and rigorous work, as a primary source of income. Some therapists make a very nice living offering mobile chair massage. Many gain entire office buildings as their "turf" and can spend an entire day simply working in a single location. Clients do not often have the time they would like to visit a therapist, and they are oh-so-happy to have one come by the office for a half hour to an hour. Some forward thinking companies even hire the therapist for a block of time or per client in order to provide this wonderful benefit for their employees. If you take this theory and apply it to five days a week, you can easily see how the income can grow. Even if you do not cater to office buildings, there are other venues that have proven successful as well. If you live near a conference center, perhaps you could contract to provide chair massage for the trade shows that come into town. Additionally, many hospitals will allow therapists in at the request of a doctor, OT or PT. Perhaps you just open a kiosk at the mall, and work on passers by. You are only limited by your own ingenuity, and no matter how you slice it, you need a chair that can stand up to the daily repeated use you will be giving it. These chairs, built with long-term, repeated usage in mind range in price from $250 and up. The mean average for a stoutly made chair is around $350 and can go as high as over $600. These chairs have far greater flexibility in the adjustments, providing greater comfort for the client and also allowing you greater access. Typically these chairs are made of rolled steel, carbonized fiber, and aircraft grade aluminum. The padding is better in that it is softer and more pliable, while providing elasticity and bounce back. The weight allowances are a bit greater in this price range, and can allow you greater flexibility in clientele. These chairs may also weigh a bit more than the more economy chair largely due to their being built to withstand far greater and repeated usage. In most cases, the mid- and high-end chairs have a virtually endless color choice, while economy chairs are typically limited to only five or six. Forming Your Decision Some details to consider before making your decision:
One thing I would like to share, (and I cannot stress this enough) always be sure to buy from a reputable dealer of professional grade massage products. DO NOT SKIMP ON THIS. In the short term, it seems you will be able to save a few bucks and buy a chair secondhand. However, let there be an issue with breakage, or malfunction and you are wholly stuck with a broken and dilapidated used chair. This can set you back to square one, and you are out your initial investment in substandard equipment. When you choose a reputable dealer, you have the advantage of the resellers warranty as well as the manufacturer's warranty. Both are invaluable to you if your chair ever has an issue.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a chair massage?
Not to be confused with a massage chair, chair massage is the practice of massage therapy techniques while the client is in a seated position. Massage chairs are specialized equipment whereby the therapist is able to offer head, hand, arm, shoulder and back massage. Sessions are typically shorter than traditional table massage and are given while the client is fully dressed. Chair massage provides a perfect opportunity for therapists to grow their client base by offering abbreviated services at promotional events, corporate settings, trade shows, festivals and holiday events. As chair massage can also be an economical entry point into the business as the initial investment is generally more affordable.
What should a massage therapist be looking for when buying a chair?
Depending on the purpose of the massage chair, your needs may differ greatly. Questions to ask yourself about the chair itself include: which chairs offer the greatest adjustability; which offer a sternum pad; how do I adjust the seat; which is the lightest; which comes with a case with wheels or do I need wheels? The expected use of your massage chair should be another consideration. For example, if the primary use will not be for everyday use but rather for promotional and marketing purposes and your clients will likely spend no more than 10-20 minutes total in the chair per session, consider an economy chair like the NRG Grasshopper Portable Massage Chair. Should you plan to use your portable massage chair for full-time practice, consider a quality upgraded package like NRG's Upgraded Grasshopper Portable Massage Chair Package or a high-end chair like the Pisces Productions Dolphin II Massage Chair.
Why should I buy a massage chair for my massage therapy practice?
Purchasing a portable massage chair can give therapists an invaluable opportunity to expand their clientele by offering mini-sessions at occasional charity and promotional events, in a corporate setting during lunch breaks or employee retreats, or even in a spa or salon waiting room. These types of massage chairs, simple to carry and set-up, can even become the primary source of income for therapists who desire both the flexibility and convenience of this type of business; or can become a regular option on the treatment menu in addition to traditional table massage.
What supplies do I need to start a chair massage business?
Since a portable massage chair will be the centerpiece of your business, you should initially focus on buying a durable, highly transportable, and comfortable model like the NRG® Grasshopper Portable Massage Chair or Master® Massage’s The Professional™. Ensure that your chair has a durable and highly portable carrying case. Next, you should purchase the best massage oils, creams, and lotions available. And these topical products should be hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals. Accidents and emergencies can happen while you are working with a patient. So, you should keep a well-equipped first aid kit, a set of hand towels and a set of full-body towels handy.
What is the best professional massage chair?
The best professional massage therapy chair depends on your personal needs and preferences. For example, you may need a chair for a specific type of massage, such as rolling, kneading, Shiatsu, and vibrating massages. You may also need a reflexology chair, or a massage chair with adjustable intensities, speeds, or positions. In addition, professional massage chairs can vary in features from heat therapy to body scanning. Considering these factors, the best professional massage chair is the Earthlife Vortex™ Portable Massage chair. It is the perfect portable tool for massage and sports therapists because it has a lightweight aircraft aluminum frame, comfortable NaturSoft™ material, and a highly functional design.
What are the most popular brands of massage chairs?
The most popular professional massage chair brands are Master Massage Equipment, Earthlite, Oakworks®, and Pisces Productions. Throughout the years, these brands have offered massage chairs with sturdy designs, comfortable padding, light frames, and professional style. For example, the Master® Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair has a sleek ergonomic frame, an Exclusive Small Cell Molded Foam Cushioning system, and super lightweight construction. Yet its 24-pound frame has a weight capacity of up to 600 pounds and a support capacity of 1,200 pounds. The other three brands have similar qualities and high ratings. Plus, they are very portable and storable.