Design a massage room

[congaihieuki]

I have an opportunity to influnce the size, location and decoration of massage rooms within health clubs. I have been in the business a long time and know what I like but I would welcome ideas from others.
Dementions of room that work best for you, and any other condiserations.
Please send your ideas.

 

[Kayla V]

Coming from the DC area myself and having worked in way too many poorly-thought out spa rooms (and for many, this is a nicer description) in both DC and MD...and knowing that you've been in the business long enough to know what I'm talking about, I'll just say this without giving you a "to-do list":

Build for EFFICIENCY/UTILITY FIRST...with Client Comfort coming in at a close second because you'll find that both tend to go hand in hand. "Foo Foo" comes dead last but don't get me wrong; it's a necessity but not the first priority.

Why? Give your CMT the tools they need within hands reach and you not only have a CMT that's more prepared for more situations but, you also allow that CMT to provide a better flow during the session. And no I don't mean energy...I mean more hands on time with the client with as little break in contact as possible. Ever had to leave the room while your client lays there to get the right oil or cream/warm towels in the only hot towel cabbie in the spa/etc.? I sure have as have many. Ever have a nice warm, comfy table ready for your client only to trip over a zillion electrical cords all ghetto-rigged to the same outlet? Same response. Ever feel like your body mechanics have been thrown out the window due to having the room set up nice only to have the spa manager/owner fill it with half a dozen vases (or insert whatever items you feel here) that not only overdo Foo Foo to look like Poo Poo but have you bunched up like a Para/Schizo worrying that you'll knock one over...which eventually happens anyways? Yeah. Seeing the pattern?

Closing in on a decade doing this and I'm still seeing this kind of thing. I do freelance work here in Germany for a "Leading Spa" and there are days I want to tear the place down brick by brick. We have stuff like a Portuguese Granite Pool, Whirlpools, separate Saunas and more...yet the massage rooms, while looking gorgeous, are some of the most poorly thought out I've seen in years. If you want details, then PM me as I'll probably get flack for just posting this much if the current Director ever comes across this thread. LOL I'll even fill you in on the details of how poor room preparation led me to end up massaging a stressed VIP client to the song "Brickhouse". Luckily, she was american and the retardedness of the moment made her bust out laughing. LOL You learn to adapt, but that doesn't change the reality of the situation and when I see clients paying over 100 Euro for a basic massage, I fight the urge to shake my head sometimes.

If you want to get a good idea on building a more efficient massage room, then go see my friends and former IC employers Theo and Olvia over at Somafit in Georgetown. That is, by far, the best place I've done freelance work for in my entire career and their massage rooms (while not perfect) will provide you a good base for what you're looking for in my opinion. Being that Theo and O are both architects, their rooms blend style and efficiency very well. Room 4 was one of the bigger rooms and Room 7 was one of the smaller ones so either get a massage or just ask to see both on a slow day. Tell Kelly the manager that Steve sent you and that I used to work there before I went to live/work in Germany for looOOOoove. Also tell them that I miss them all.

Good luck!

 

[bradley]

Hey Stephen,

I'm glad you made it to Germany. I recall your post about wanting to do that sometime back.

How about signing up for the Private Section here and letting us know how it's going and what your experiences have been like in regard to finding a job, moving and the like?

 

[2nd In Command to David]

Hi, P!

Sure! I just got back on the forums recently since I suffered from IP Block like many other of my US sites. The admin was great and got me back on asap.

Now I just have to figure out how to sign up for the private forum.

 

[xeso G]

don't put them anywhere near the main drag of the facility or anywhere near the child care if there is one. also watch how close the lockers are in according to the room and if there are basketball courts, watch those too! no bright lights. no bright colors.

the fitness place i used to work at put the massage rooms in the absolute worst place they could have chosen. you could hear parents screaming at their children, kids crying, people talking, people banging on the doors as they passed by, people over-head in the fitness rooms (you could hear the floor squeeking), b-balls bouncing etc... it was annoying.

 

[mrggame]

Oh GAWD, yes. Great post, Tera.