When I was shopping around online for my electric massage table I was surprised to see that there was quite a variance on price when it came to shipping and handling costs.
These tables are heavy, (as you can see it took two guys and a trolley to move it) and so the shipping costs can be considerable. There was one vendor that I was considering buying my table from as they had it listed for a little bit less than competing sites.
But their web site said that after I placed my order I would be contacted by a representative and told the shipping method and cost.
That seemed a little dodgy to me so instead I called the company before I ordered. Good thing too - the amount they wanted to add for shipping was very high.
I did a bit more research and found my table at another site where the actual table was a little more expensive, but they were running a special and the shipping was FREE!
That saved me a couple hundred dollars! So if you are looking for an electric massage table do shop around and look for special packages.
By the way, my dog JJ wasn’t too excited about the new table, but he LOVED the box.
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If you are thinking about buying an electric massage table, do remember that some tables are flat, just like a traditional massage table, where the whole table lifts up in one piece.
But others have the additional flexibility of moving in sections, so that you can position the client even more precisely.
Our last electric table had three sections that moved independently, which was really nice.
But the massage table that we really liked this time around (as it matched all of our other criteria) only came with two options. We could get it flat, or with a tilt option.
We didn’t know if we would use the tilt feature that much, but as the difference in price was minimal (all things considered) we chose the tilt option as it allowed us to position the client anywhere from slightly elevated to a full seated position.
As it turns out, I’m so glad we made that choice because we use the tilt feature quite a lot. It’s especially great for when a client is congested, or is uncomfortable for any reason lying flat.
I’d highly recommend that you consider a similar option if you are going to invest in an electric table too.
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As with any massage table purchase, you’ll want to consider the amount of leg room you prefer. For example, my husband does a lot of Cranial Sacral Therapy and energy work from a seated position. So leg room is an important consideration for him.
However, unlike portable massage tables, hydraulic or electric lift tables sometimes have the motor boxed in under the table in a way that reduces leg room considerably. We knew this would not work for us.
Other electric tables have legs that cross in a way that could also restrict your choice of positions when working on a client. For example, sitting at the side of the table could be a challenge.
So if leg room is a factor for you too, do choose your new electric table carefully.
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Some electric lift massage tables come with hand controls, some with foot controls and some with the option of both.
When I was researching tables I didn’t think I would use hand controls, so in the end I chose a table that shipped with one set of foot pedals. My last electric table had two sets of foot pedals, one for each end of the table (or each side if you prefer).
I decided to try it with just the one set, but I made sure before I bought my table that I could add an extra set later if I wanted to.
What I found was that I really missed the second set. The pedals somehow always ended on the other side of the table when I needed them.
So I ordered an extra set of foot controls (if you do this, don’t forget the “splitter” that lets you plug both sets into the motor unit) and I am so glad I did.
I do recommend you get two sets of controls. When you are spending this much money anyway, it’s well worth a bit extra to make your life so much easier.
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Two other things to think about if you are shopping around for an electric lift massage table are the noise of the motor and the smoothness of the movement.
I have found that “silent” is a subjective term when it comes to a company describing its table. Of course, if you can try out a table before you buy it that is ideal.
If not, you can always go online and read some reviews of the table you are thinking about. I’m happy to say that our new table is virtually silent, which is really nice. Our old one sounded a bit like a locomotive was in the room.
Also check out how smoothly the table glides up and down, and how quickly or slowly it moves. Again, this may be something you have to do via online reviews.
With a good table you can hardly even tell (if at all) when the table is moving. My husband (also a massage therapist) and I had fun with this. We took turns lying on the table with our eyes closed while the other person adjusted the height. We found that neither of us could accurately determine when the table started moving, but there was a slight “settling” sensation when it came to rest. Not bad!
We also liked that our table moves very slowly and the control pedals are very precise.
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When thinking about buying any new massage table there are always many decisions to make. You’ll want to consider things such as the table width and length, the thickness of the foam, the color and texture of the fabric, the weight capacity of the table, whether you want round or square corners, what brand you may have a preference for, and which optional accessories you may need.
However, there are additional considerations that are unique to buying an electric lift table. One of the first things you’ll have to decide upon is how low to the ground and how high up you would like the table to go.
For my husband and I, it was more important for the type of work that we do that the table went as low to the floor as possible. It mattered less how high, as long as it had about a 12 inch height range (which is the difference between the lowest and the highest setting).
I found that some tables had more range of movement and some less, but 12 inches seems to be about average.
So think about your clients (do they need a lot of help getting on and off the table, in which case one that goes lower to the floor may be better) and the type of massage that you do (for example, if you do a lot of work standing, make sure you choose a table that lifts up high enough).
So be sure to look for a hydraulic table that meets your height requirements.
But that’s just the first thing… more to come.
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I recently received an email from a therapist who was opening a massage clinic specializing in injury treatment and wanted to know how to tell if his prospective therapists had sufficient training. Of course he could look at their resume, but that doesn’t show the whole picture.
As far as their skill level, nothing beats experiencing the work of your prospective therapists for yourself. That will tell you a lot, and not JUST about their massage skills. You will also get to see them in action and decide if their manner and personality syle fits the mood of your clinic.
It is also a good idea to encourage your new therapists to continue to hone their skills. One way I have seen to be effective is to have massage DVDs available for them in-house to watch and encourage them to buddy with a colleague to practice.
However, an even better way is to offer a set amount of money annually to each therapist for continuing education. You could do this based on the average number of sessions they provide, how long they have worked for you, or some other way that you choose. Not only will this keep their skills sharp, but it is a great incentive to keep good therapists.
And remember, the reputation of your clinic or day spa rests to a great extent on the skill, expertise and manner of your therapists, so investing in them is money well spent.
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