Choosing the Right Portable Massage Table

Deciding on the right portable massage table for your practice doesn’t have to be a complicated process. There are some key considerations to keep in mind that will help you determine what’s best for you and your clients. There are a lot of things to consider, including the weight of the table, the materials it’s made of, how easy it is to lug around, how comfortable it will be for your clients, and, of course, the price tag itself.

We’re about to take a look at all of these things in a little greater depth and hopefully this will make your decision a little bit easier. It’s my firm belief that any massage therapist that’s going to be successful should have the option of taking a portable massage table with them wherever they go. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but you should definitely have one available to you.

Start with the Cost

The cost of a massage table can vary quite greatly. There are tables available for around $100, but unless you’ve just finished school and you’ve spent all your finances on your education it’s probably best to avoid these bare-bones tables. They’re generally made out of cheaper materials for both the frame and the fabric, and you’re not likely to get many years of use out of them. Once you start looking at tables that cost $200 or more you begin to find ones that will actually give you a few years of use. I’m not suggesting that price alone should be your only consideration, as you can find some poor choices even among those that are a little more expensive – you still have to do your homework and a great place to start is our massage table review page on this site.

Consider the Materials

One of the most important considerations when purchasing a massage table is to consider the materials used in making the table. The less expensive tables are likely to be made out of cheap metals or wood, and you’ll often find a little bit a wobble in them. Generally the best tables are made out of solid wood and this is the type of table you should be looking for.

You should also pay close attention to the materials that the cushions or padding are made out of as well – in particular the covering for cushions. In general, the material on most tables will look comfortable enough, but that doesn’t mean they’ll hold up to wear and tear. If you purchase a table and the covering rips within the first year you’re bound to be a little disappointed, so it pays to check into a table’s reputation before purchasing.

Is There Enough Padding?

Your client’s comfort should always be of primary importance to you and that’s why you’ll want to pay close attention to how much padding the table you’re considering has. We’re not suggesting here that you need to find a table that makes them feel like they’re floating on a cloud, but you do want to look for one with a reputation for comfort. Tables that include memory foam technology are ideal as these tend to contour nicely to your client’s body.

Is It Too Bulky?

Remember, you’re likely to be lugging this table around with you wherever you go during your workday. While your client’s comfort should be of primary importance you should still be careful to consider how much extra weight any additional padding might add to the table. In general, it’s best to look for a table that weighs somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds – that’s a reasonable weight to carry from appointment to appointment.

Is It Easy to Transport?

Another thing to consider is: How easy is the table to transport? It’s a good thing if your table is nice and lightweight, but if it takes you half an hour to fold it up every time you’re done with an appointment you’re bound to get a little frustrated. That extra half an hour that it takes you to fold up that table will reduce the amount of clients you can see in a day and cost you money overall. Make sure when you’re purchasing a table that it’s one that can fold up in a matter of a minute or two and get you on your way.

Is It Wide Enough?

Your clients are bound to come in all different shapes and sizes, but there are some general rules to keep in mind when looking at the width of the table. You’ll want to find a table that is wide enough to accommodate most clients, but also not too wide that you’ll have difficulty reaching over the table to work on your client. It’s best to look for a table that’s at least 29 inches wide, but not more than an inch or two wider than that.

Is it Long Enough?

Along with the width you should also consider the length of your table. As we’ve already alluded to, your client’s comfort should be paramount, but if your table’s too short and their legs are consistently hanging over the edge, that’s really going to take away from the comfort factor. You should look for a table that’s at least 72 inches long, as that will accommodate most clients comfortably.

Making Your Final Decision

As you can see there’s certainly a lot to consider when purchasing a massage table, but for the most part these are all pretty much common sense considerations. It’s probably best to always keep your client’s comfort in mind when purchasing a table. Also, you don’t want to forget that you’re the one that will be carrying this table around all day, so look for something that’s light. If you keep these things in mind when you set out to purchase your table you’re bound to make the right decision.