a community of practitioners

Massage Therapist working in Gyms/Health Clubs/Fitness Centers?

Is anybody out there working in these settings? I am noticing some of the health clubs in the DC area area hiring MTs. I was wondering what the experience would be like. At the gym I attend (which is a small, family owned businesses), it's pretty noisy and rock music is constantly playing. They had a massage therapist about 5 years ago but I'm wondering if that environment might not be the best for healing and relaxation.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on July 31, 2012 at 9:44am

Laura,

I worked in a health club for a short time. It was noisy, cramped therapy room, and not very conducive to massage. I would suggest trying chair massage in the lobby as a way to work around the noise and such.

Cheers,

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on July 31, 2012 at 11:00am

Kind of depends on the gyms. Sport & Health as two venues -- Serenity Day Spas attached to some of their clubs and stand-alone massage rooms

Massage & Fitness are rarely done properly in terms of the physical plant, promotion and staffing.

Because demand is often low, the work tends to be on-call as a contractor. Some places used to have MTs "rent a shift", but they were required to offer free chair massage to try to drum up business. Even Equinox does that in NYC with their employees, and most can't stand it since it rarely delivers any clients.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on July 31, 2012 at 11:13am

I have a feeling based on only a little experience with that environment. That its difficult to get the clientele to pay for bodywork....The relaxation is out for most because of the noise maybe? The hurt ones may just go to their chiropractor and get massage under insurance...Thats just my feeling....You can try it.. Why not? If it doesn't work.. Move on...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Natley Wilsoon on August 1, 2012 at 10:52am

I currently work in a gym as an employee so when I don't have clients I am out on the floor doing chair massage trying to drum up business. It's hard sometimes because these people just want to work out; they don't want to stop exercising to get a massage. The therapy room is very noisy which makes it hard for the people who do want a relaxing environment. But most clients aren't coming to me and the other therapist for relaxation and need a good sports massage after their work out so they understand it won't be a quiet setting. We recently implemented a massage membership similar to the personal training memberships and this has drummed up business quite a bit. Unfortunately demand is still not as high as my employers would like so they stated that by the end of the month the therapist will be independent contractors instead of employees.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Mackay on August 3, 2012 at 3:15pm

I've worked in a couple of gyms (privately owned family style gyms). LOVED IT!! Lots of high energy, friendly people. In fact, I miss my studio at the gym tremendously.

What worked the best for me was paying rent rather than trying to set up some type of commission or be an employee. This allowed me to run whatever programs I wanted to offer as well as take care of my own schedule.

Yes, it can be noisy and a bit of a challenge to create an oasis inside the gym but it is possible. Additionally, many of the clients are gym members and understand that there will be an undercurrent of noise due to the location. I did have people stand outside my door while lifting weights and talk -- totally oblivious that I was providing a session inside. No problem -- just opened the door (which usually surprised them) gave a BIG smile and politely asked if they would mind moving their conversation elsewhere because someone was on the table. Never had anyone refuse or even get mad. Most apologized for being noisy. LOL

The best way I found to get clients was to work on the personal trainers. I got to know their style and the type of clients they liked and wanted to work on. It didn't take much to show how my work helped theirs plus I sent quite a few clients their way. Even more important is working on the front desk people. They were big helps in referring people to me.

I created specific programs that made it easy for the gym members to bring their family members in too -- encouraging them to share their packages by providing gift certificates they could give as bday or anniversary gifts.

I highly recommend it. :0]

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Lea Williams on August 6, 2012 at 4:54pm

My massage room which is inside an athletic training facility has alot of sound proofing. Yet, when it comes to therapy, the health club is a whole different ball game. Some of the more progressive clubs have chiros, PTs and LMT's working in the training areas. It is not the atmosphere for ENYA or straight "classic" massage. Myofascial work for atheletes is rarely relaxing. Tips: Be strong, know your anatomy and wear ear plugs.