Tips on buying a massage table

Dec. 17, 2020

On buying a massage table…

The time has come in my career that I will no longer be carrying heavy equipment in and out of homes.  I’ve been working on this transition for awhile and do have an office that people can come to for sessions.  I had already stopped taking new, in-home clients but, remained with the clients I’ve had for many years.  (Thank you for your loyalty and support!)

Since we are currently living in Covid times, it’s necessary to make efforts to decrease the possibility of spreading virus as much as we can.  This gave me the extra push to follow through with my plan of having all in-home clients purchase their own massage table.  (And thank you all for understanding.)  I can now put more energy and strength into actually giving you an amazing massage experience instead of feeling worn by the time we start your session.

Providing guidance to my clients on buying on their own tables, led me to want to share this information with more people.  I believe this may assist new massage therapists in their decisions, too.  So, here we go...

There is a huge difference between spending $170-$200 and spending $250-$350.  It’s really worth the investment to upgrade if things like comfort, stability and longevity are important to you.  For example: $170 at Costco will get you a great table with decent cushioning, which may or may not deteriorate over time depending on how you use the table.  If you cover it with fleece padding and don’t do 4 deep tissue massages every day, it will last longer.   But, if you spend approximately $70-100 more (the average cost of a 60 minute massage), to get a better brand like Master Massage or Earthlite and check for thicker cushioning on top, you will find a stronger legged table as well as more durable table covering material, ie.. vinyl, ‘pleather’ or whatever they use.  

Here are some things to pay attention to as you make your decision.

• Dimensions of the table.  Have you ever gotten a massage and felt like you were working to keep your arms comfortably on the table?  Does that bother you?  Something to think about.  I feel like 29-30” wide is ideal for most bodies.  The length of the table matters if you are very tall, but for most people 72” works great.  

• Thickness of padding.  A thinner pad of 2”, is going to feel, maybe, a little stiff and could possibly lose its strength within a year or two, depending on usage.  There are cushions you can add to the top of the table if you need.  Upgrading to a thicker pad, 2.5-3” will feel more luxurious and will last longer.  Trust me, it’s worth the money to have the cushion strength. 

• Frame.  If you are performing outcall massages and traveling from client to client, you definitely want a lighter ‘portable style’ table.  Because, as the years go by, every time you pull that equipment in and out of your vehicle and drag it in to their home, perhaps even up and down some stairs, it impacts your shoulders, back muscles, and hips, as well as impacting the energy you have when you begin the massage session.  Pay attention to the weight of the table.  Metal legs are easy to adjust and weigh less than hardwood legs.  For in-office or in-home use and no travel, depending on the available space in the home, or office, (and depending on the available funds in the budget) options for very sturdy ‘cabinetry style’ tables and electronically adjustable tables exist.

• Weight capacity: How much weight can the table withstand?  As I understand it, this is calculated to mean the combined weight of a client lying on the table with the weight of pressure a therapist will be applying to their body (and the table).  So, if you are using a table for a modality such as Reiki, you could use a less sturdy option (lower weight capacity).  If you always have deep tissue sessions, obviously, look into the stronger options.

• Option to have a heated table.  Well, if you are buying a table for your home and you know you’re a person who always gets cold, this might be an option you want.  So if it sounds ideal to you, go for it.  They are quite cozy and convenient.  Otherwise, there are less expensive fleece table coverings that plug in and heat up, that are similar to heated blankets except they are designed to line the table underneath you and heat from below.   They are a cheaper option and the table doesn’t weigh extra, and I’m always thinking,, what if it breaks? 

• The hole in the table vs. the face cradle at the end of the table.  I have yet to see sheets designed around the face hole in those tables.  If you are doing sports massage, Fascial stretch therapy, sporting event work, athlete/gymnasium work or any other style, where you’re not planning to use sheets because your clients are fully clothed, this may work fine.  With the flat/disposable face cradle covers, you have the option to work on your client in prone position and not too much discomfort.  The type that has the removable cushion for this face hole, in my experience, almost always falls to the floor during the session, unless there is a plastic restraint guard below it.  Things to watch for…. I prefer to have the face cradle that can be inserted at both ends of the table.  Some of these are adjustable.  Sometimes you can choose the density and softness of the cushioning in the face cradle.  This may vary in comfort since,, as we have all learned through our mask-wearing adventures, apparently people have different sizes and shapes of faces.  

• This brings me to my last tidbit of advice.  Pay attention to the warranty or return policy as well as shipping fees involved in such.  If it happens that you don’t like the table you got or that it was faulty,, it is good to know what you can do about it.

I hope this helps anyone in the market for a massage table.  Happy Massage Life.