About a year ago I signed up for a membership at Massage Envy, better known as the rapidly growing massage therapy chain with the horrible, horrible name. Because, honestly. "Massage Envy"? You would have to TRY to come up with a name that cheesy. It's practically dripping in Velveeta. I'm surprised the logo doesn't include Swiss cheese holes, arranged strategically about the a's and e's.
Anyway, I decided to buy a membership because for several reasons. The first reason will come as a surprise to no one that knows me well: I'm a bit of a stress ball. Tightly wound. Some might say I put the "A" in Type A. Because of this I often have trouble with my neck and shoulders. Namely, they start to feel like they are permanently scrunched somewhere up around my ears. This is compounded by the fact that I rear-ended someone back in 2000 and suffered some pretty serious whiplash as a result. Before that accident I always thought that whiplash was a load of hooey. Well let me tell you, it's not. It's real, and it sucks. And sometimes, it doesn't go away in a matter of months. Or years. It lingers, and it gets worse when you're stressed out. And when that happens, certain people get very grumpy.
Enter Massage Envy. For the low price of approx. $50 a month, I receive an hour-long massage. Tip not included, but still—it's a good deal. In my case, an hour massage once monthly mitigates the whiplash problem and helps me feel like a regular person with properly positioned shoulders and a functional neck. It also reduces grumpiness, and as Jim would heartily agree, that's worth it's weight in gold.
Overall my experience at M.E. has actually been pretty fantastic. Granted, my local franchise doesn't have the atmosphere of a fancy spa, but it's clean and they have weekend and extended evening hours. So, super convenient. And early on in my membership I was lucky enough to stumble upon Lily, who might be the best masseuse ever. I mean, I don't claim to be a connoisseur, per se, but I've had my share of massages. And while I've only had one really BAD massage (during which my male masseuse managed to seriously bruise my rib in a ham-handed fashion) I've had lots of massages that were just OK. Relaxing and all, but by no means transformative.
Well, I have to say the massage I had the other night WAS transformative. A real trip. I decided to spring for a 1.5 hour session and I was not sorry. It was phenomenal. SO relaxing. And Lily did this wacky energy field thing that is going to sound ridiculous, but it was amazingly effective. Apparently there are points on your body that activate beta wave activity in the brain. But touching these points you reach a deep level of relaxation. So, for example, she took a hold of my little finger and then with the other hand held one of my toes. I know, it sounds totally bizarre, but it's for real. I felt like I had been meditating for 20 minutes. I really must do some research into this because if there's a way I can do this myself, I totally will. That night I slept like a ROCK.
Do I sound like a complete hippie? Because I'm really not. I mean, I think acupuncture is great and I meditate on a somewhat regular basis, but I'm by no means a drum-circle-dancing, goddess-worshipping wood nymph. However, I do think the mind-body connection is really interesting, and I have to say that ANYTHING that will calm my anxiety-addled brain is a bonus. So bring it on, Massage Envy. Gouda-worthy name and all.
17 comments:
Massage Envy is one of the worst developments in the massage therapy field. Many times it is owned and operated by people who know next to nothing about the field. They hire entry level therapists with the promise of tips making up for crappy pay. Seek and find a good therapist practicing privately and stop supporting corporate america...enough already. Michael....20 years practicing excellent bodywork
In fact, the choices aren't limited to Massage Envy and fancy spas. There are massage therapists in private practice, and in chiropractic offices, and there are even some (like me) who do house calls. The going rate is on the order of $60-70/hour, at least in the middle of the country, so Massage Envy is a good, but not really fabulous, deal. If you want cheap, you can try the student clinic at a massage school, at about $30.
Massage Envy franchises are typically owned by those who know nothing about massage. Most owners do not even get massage. It is not a terrible place to work, but most MTs only take the position short term while they pursue a position they really want.
For most MTs the $15.00 hr wage is managable if the clients tip appropriatly. The therapist is paid the same whether they do deep tissue or relaxation. If the client really likes the massage, tip accordingly. $5.00 is not a fair tip, actually anything under $10 - $20 is inappropriate.
If you are late for your appt. the therapist can not go past your scheduled time as there is another client waiting. Please be respectful of that.
Always let your therapist know if the massage is too deep, or not deep enough. Each MT has a unique technique and is not suitable for everyone. So try a few different MTs until you find one that works for you.
Ok, I work at Massage Envy in NJ and I have also worked at ME in Seattle,WA. I am a therapist as well as a Sales Associate. Now, I don't agree with the amount they pay therapists. When I started at ME I was still in school, they paid me $8.50 an hour as a sales associate. I moved out to Seattle and started working at that clinic, they had an AMAZING atmosphere. The Clinic Administrator was a MT which helped A LOT. I worked there from November '07- June '08 and in that short time I went from making $8.50/hr to $11.00/hr at the front desk. Now that I'm back in Jersey, I am making $10.00/hr at the front desk and $16.00/hr as a therapist.
Certain clinics have different bonus'. If they have a client that requested them they get $2 more for the massage. If they massage a prospect and that person joins, the MT gets $5 extra for the massage.
Normally the clients are generous with the tips, the average tip in our clinic is $15-$20. I know that therapists at ME rely on their tips, but we have to remember that tips are not mandatory, they are a gift. When I get a small tip, it makes me want to give a better massage to that person next time. Maybe if I do a better job, I will get a better tip.
Another thing on Massage Envy's prices:
if you go to a private practice, tipping is way more optional. The therapist is making a much larger piece of what you pay. So if you find one that charges $60, and then you don't tip, saving $10 to $15, that massage is actually less expensive than the Massage Envy one. And many therapists think an hour is 60 minutes not 50.
Also, private practice therapists are often open to negotiation, discounting regular customers. I, for example, would not have a problem cutting my rate to $50 for a client who commits to a monthly massage.
Thank you for the good words about ME. yes, this type of place often does have more entry level therapists, but we all have to start somewhere to build our skills.
I see both sides of the story. I wish other therapists wouldn't down the corporation. I started work at ME three weeks ago after struggling in Kentucky to get a start anywhere else. For the past year, any practice I have done has put me in the red, I've basically been paying to work, and I couldn't keep doing that with the school bills that came from getting started in this profession. I didn't have the capital to build my own practice, and I wanted an environment that didn't dictate to me what I can and cannot do as a spa in these parts would.
I find that I am very supported here and allowed to discover who I am as a therapist. Being able to go to work with no other worries about the business and marketing and solely concentrate on being a therapist is the biggest plus I could ask for.
So yes, corporate america is questionable. yes, i struggle with the idea that the prices undercut private practicies. but after working here, i see that our competition is really the spas that have 'luxury' ideals, and the prices allow for people in a low economic area to be able to actually afford long term therapy. which means i get to do what I long to do, as I want to work with geriatrics and be more in the medical aspect of this field, which means I would like to have clients that I can actually work with over a period of time. I think that those therapists that have private practices also usually have had many years and experience in the field, and so their work speaks for itself and therefor keeps their client base full.
So i say to Michael below, yes, it is 'crappy pay,' but better pay comes from experience. And not all therapists go into this field for the money, its about helping people, and i personally believe if your in this field for money, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons and that crappy pay may just weed out those who shouldn't be in the field anyway. Otherwise it's a great place for those of us whose life circumstances don't allow us to have the luxury of a private practice, or who aren't ready to make that type of commitment. At least at the ME i work at, I'm allowed to be me, encouraged to be who I am as a therapist and grow in the way I naturally would grow. As I said, we all have to start somewhere, and it's a perfect environment for really building the skills that are the foundation of a terrific therapist.
I'm not the Michael who said "crappy pay". It is regular to good pay for a worker-bee therapist.
I was addressing the client community. They ought to know that at a place like Massage Envy, therapists rely on tips. And that it is a reasonably priced deal, not an incredible deal, particularly when you consider the tips.
Where Massage Envy shines for the client is convenience. You can get a decent massage pretty much any time you want.
Massage Envy is great for those of middle income. I hate that people of low income are told that the most affordable massage is a $600 full year commitment. At least in my area, there are more economical options for those of limited finances: schools for single sessions and private practices willing to make a deal for ongoing treatment programs.
To therapists:
Massage Envy has been and is, on the whole, a very positive experience for me as a therapist. It has put my hands on a great many bodies, and provided an income. I enjoy my co-workers, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I am free to practice according to my own style, except for the lack of heat treatments. Some therapists complain about being worked to the point of injury. I came close to that myself, but it is really a matter of taking responsibility for your own well-being. The sales associates will (in good times) work you as hard as you allow, which is a good thing because that's what you need in order to make the $, but if you don't learn to say "no" you will hurt yourself. We constantly preach to our clients about being responsible for their own wellness, we need to practice that ourselves.
They suck
MASSAGE ENVY SUCKS.
DONT JOIN. THEY SCREW YOU ON MINUTES OF EACH MASSAGE AND THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY EVERY MONTH BUT DONT GIVE YOU THE MASSAGES YOU PAY FOR. I canceled my membership a month before my 12 month membership was do to expire. When I went to book my last massage they told me it had expired on 2/19
they took the last payment, but because it was 2/24, I passed my membership date. So they would not honor my last massage or refund my money.
MASSAGE ENVY SUCKS, I WILL CONTINUE TO TELL EVERYONE UNTIL I CANT SAY IT ANYMORE.
Massage Envy Ballanayne, in Charlotte totally screwed me. They are the WORST!
Can't people see what is happening to massage??? Places that undercut massage prices like Massage Envy are making an unethical profit in my book. Driving the more educated therapists out of business. I know they recruit students as I have many former students who have worked for them. As MT's continue to go to and work for massage envy, they are saying that low pay is just fine with them. If someone is injured I would think they might be better off finding a medical massage therapist or at least someone trained in injury or that at least works with a doctor or chiropractor. Massage is not harmless and can be very effective when administered correctly. I have heard awful comments about Massage Envy. Having taught Massage Therapy, I have heard from students that Massage Envy lies to students about what they will make for hourly wage, and that they fire them for not pressuring customers to sign up for multiple massages. I personally have called to see what kind of massage their therapists offer for a client that lives too far from my office. I was told they have many CERTIFIED Geriatric MT's on staff, but when inquiring further, find these MT's only have had a course in Geriatric, not certification. I thought this was unusual for all 7 of the stores I called to state they had MT's with Cert in Geriatric, then backdown to say they only had courses, or they would have to call me back. If you like low pay - keep working for Massage Envy... That is JUST what you'll get....LOW pay.
At some point we need to consider outsourcing the cheaper massages to India. It just makes good business sense.
Contract hell - they stole
$320 from me.
ME is not customer service oriented. I went to the website to inquire about the balance on a gift card I received from my significant other. Guess what?? It's not an option. Neither are their terms/conditions/expiration information on the website. I must either call or visit my nearest ME location to get this information. What a bunch of BS. I can check the terms/conditions/balance, etc. on every other gift card I have. They SUCK. I want to get a refund and go to a private therapist that I know is FANTASTIC (Hi Jim).
ME is a wonderful place to start working, I worked there for 7 months when I first graduated ... but don't stay too long. Learn the trade and get the skills - then set off on your own.
Clients of M.E.
I agree that the "deal" massage envy offers really isn't a deal. $50 a month for a 50 minute massage. Thats the same price as an hour massage (60 minutes) from a private practitioner for $60. ME just gives 10 minutes less and calls it a deal. PLUS they expect you to tip their therapists an extra $7 - $15 so it actually ends up being MORE than most private therapists are charging ...
Many private practitioners (like myself) are no longer expecting tips and, in some cases, won't accept them. As the perception of massage therapy moves out of the "spa" field and more into the "medical" ... tips just aren't appropriate. I charge what my service is worth - and thats what I expect to get paid. You wouldn't tip your dentist or PT, so don't tip me. Just pay me what I'm worth.
Generally, the therapist they hire are right out of school. So they won't have the same touch or experience as someone who has been practicing for 5-10 years. If a therapist is working at ME and has been a therapist for over 5 years ... that generally means that they just aren't good enough to set out on their own. Buyer be warned ... you get what you pay for.
THERAPISTS :
Understand that there are a LOT of PROS to working at massage envy. You don't have to worry about anything BUT the massage. This is often their big selling point for paying so little. You don't have to worry about scheduling, advertising, supplies, renting space, ect.
This can be very beneficial when you are first starting out. No one is going to be AMAZING or on the same par with practitioners who have been in the field for 5 - 10 years when you first start out. So don't make a name for yourself as just a "so-so" therapist. Go work somewhere (like ME) to build up your skills.
Do they pay to little? Without a doubt. Even after ALL the expenses are calculated in ... if I do 3 massages a day, the average cost to me per client is about $27 - $35 dollars (this includes renting the space I work in). That means I'm making $25 -$33 profit per hour long massage at $60 a session.
However - most of my clients are 90 minute sessions and I also work specialized modalities which cost a little extra. I generally make $50 on average profit per client.
I only have a max of 3 clients per day. This is so all of my massages stay consistent. At ME at the end of a shift where I would do 5-6 massages ... trust me, the final 2 were not as good as the first 2. This limit will change for everyone, but 6 massages a day is a drain of energy. And I still make more just doing 3 in my private practice ...
BOTTOM LINE:
I like to think of it this way. There are high end hair stylists out there that charge up to $65 for a haircut. And then there is Supercuts and Great Clips ...
You won't get the same haircut at Supercuts as you will from a high end stylists who has been doing it for years and is truly gifted - but you can get a cheap and affordable haircut.
Massage Envy is like the Supercuts of the massage industry. Massage on a budget (kinda) ... but not the same quality or consistency as a gifted, experienced private practitioner
If you have to get 'locked into' a place...obviously it sucks!
Massage Envy just ruined my day! Was told when I signed up for a membership that the massages I pay for - for a year- would not expire. Just found out that when I end my 1 year payments, I have 30 days to use the rest of my massages !!! And I have 6 left to use! What a complete and utter rip off. Can give them to someone else if I pay $10 a piece or can forfeit them if I dont use them, or I can keep paying (WHAT A SURPRISE) every month to keep my membership active and then can use them at my leisure! I am sure it was in the tiny print of the contract but I purposely asked the SALES person this question and was told they do not expire. I am disgusted!!!!! Too bad I am a trusting and honest person and they are not! The massages were always hit-or-miss. Some stunk some were very relaxing. Now I will have to have 10 in a row just to de-stres from getting ripped off!
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