Table-top or chair?

[Kimberly]

Hi Everyone,It's been a while since I've posted, so "Howdy" again!I've been out of school for 6 mos., and I've been doing table massage and am comfortable (and busy enough) with that, but I've been thinking about going into chair massage as well.I don't do this full time (yet!) and don't think I'll be doing chair massage at events, it'd mainly be at my office day job.  They really need it there.  ;D  SO, here's the question - should I buy a table top set-up or a chair?  The table tops are soo much cheaper and I think that'll do the job, but I just don't know!Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated.Thanks!  

 

[SarahBee]

I went with the chair.  I didn't see too many people recommending the table top, and their own chair will get in the way... and most office chairs today are on wheels so they tend to roll away when you apply pressure.    I wasn't happy about spending the extra money, but I am happier now with my decision.  Because I can also pop my chair out of my car at any event and be totally independant of having to have another chair and something to lean on there for me.

 

[style_trek]

Table-top or chair?

I have a chair also.  I agree with Pandora's Gift about the table set up and the wheeled chairs.  I also think that the chair is easier for good body mechanics.

Keep in mind that since you are new you may decide later that you are more interested in doing chair massage than you are now.  Buying a chair now might be the better bet if you do decide to do more in the future, as I am sure prices will be different.  I paid around $300 for my chair package (1996) and it now runs around $500.

http://www.oakworks.net/Massage_Chairs/PortalPro.htm

Personally IME, chair massage is great for marketing, so if you decide to expand your business, you may want a chair to do marketing with even if you don't want to do it as part of your regular income.

 

[Gadfly]

Table-top or chair?

I totally agree. Yes the table-top thing would work for your immediate needs (being mindful of body mechanics), but the chair will afford you more flexibility in the long run. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[dlutemp]

I have both items. The table top is for those situations where someone's physical condition may make it impossible to sit in the chair (ie. wheelchair bound), for  the very rare occasion that their isn't room for the chair, and also as a very portable tool that I keep in my car at all times in case I need to give an impromptu demo. However, I would not be without my chair for all of the reasons already listed in the previous posts. If you can scrape together the money, definitely go for the chair!

 

[Miss Laura]

Allright, you've all convinced me...Chair it is!  I'll start looking around and pricing them out.  E-Bay isn't a bad idea, but my husband just got "burned" on a tool he ordered (it was broken), so I'm kind of skeptical, but I'll look around and see what's out there.  You guys are great, thanks for the advice!   ;D

 

[demnity]

I went with a chair as well. Though that was about 6 years ago. I have a quicklite.After I purchased mine I found out they offered a larger model Sport model... for larger people, which my area has a lot of. Well recently a MT student and I worked together one day doing chair massage and she had borrowed the Sport model from a friend... and she's shorter than I so we traded who used which chair for awhile that day.  I was soon happy to be the proud owner of the regular version! LOLI don't know where you live Yogi22... but one of my former MT teachers doesn't even bother to buy his own chair, he just "rents" his from another MT he knows in town, when he knows she's not using it. I think she charged him something like $10 a day? LOLAnyway, as I mentioned though I've had mine for quite awhile, it really doesn't get used that much. Maybe 3-4 days per month at most.  You might consider that... for awhile, if you aren't sure how often you would really use the chair to do massage. Now, of course, the fun decisions start... Which chair?  

 

[BeBe]

Maestra, not a bad idea - renting someone's at first.  The area I live has quite a few of MT's so it's a possibility!  I'm kind of short - 5'2, so I'll keep in mind not to get the sport version either.  Also, I know you mentioned  that was 6 years ago, so have you had your chair for 6 years?  It'd be great if it lasted that long!  Of course, it depends on how often you use it, but it will probably only be two or three times a month for me as well.  

 

[SlsB]

Do you know of anyone in the area that can let you rent their chair? and it may be a good idea to post it here on the boards because there may be someone near you on here that may be willing.  I know I hesitate to rent mine or lend mine out to anyone that I didn't know... and even then I am a little hesitant because I am very attatched to my posetions and take care of them well.  But it is worth a shot to see if there is anyone close to you that is willing to do it.  I know what you mean about testing out the chair and listening to opinons by those that may not be your body size.  I am 5'10 and I am very happy with my personal chair at the ease that it is to change the positions quickly, and I hate the one I have at work.  Make sure that you test it out by working on people of different sizes so that you can see what the difference will be, you don't want to figure it out after you bought it.