If you’re looking to start up as a massage therapist, then a massage table will probably be one of your first purchases after enrolling on your massage course.

Best professional massage table to buy and why?

There are so many choices out there, it can seem overwhelming. And they all seem to look pretty much the same, don’t they? Particularly as you’ll most probably be buying your massage table online.

In this guide to the best massage table for you, I’ll explain the seven main things you need to look for when buying your table. I’ll also share details of the couch I’m currently using.

So, where to start?

First, ask your friends and family!

You’ll be amazed how many people have a massage table in their loft, or even hidden underneath a spare bed. They might have dabbled with massage or beauty therapies themselves, or even moved into a house which had a therapy table left in the attic by the previous owners (yes, really!)

So, when you’re starting out, ask around to see if you can borrow one that’s not being used anymore. Once you’ve started practising your massage techniques, you’ll soon get to know what you do and don’t like in terms of massage tables.

When buying a massage table, what should you consider?

There are 7 main things you need to consider when buying your massage table:

1. Width of massage table

People come in all shapes and sizes, and your clients will be no different! It’s really important you have a massage table that’s wide enough for all your clients.

So you would have thought, the wider, the better. However, you don’t want it so wide, that you end up straining to reach the opposite side of the table.

Think about your own size. If you’re petite, then you probably wouldn’t want one much wider than 75-80cm. If you’re tall, you would probably be happy with one that’s up to 85-90cm wide

2. Face-hole in the massage table vs face-cradle

This is such a personal decision, and I’ve had both versions. They both definitely have their pros and cons.

The advantages of using a cradle is that the angle for the head is adjustable and it also extends the length of the table. Adjusting the angle is really helpful for people who have neck issues, or are particularly rounded in the upper back. It can make it so much more comfortable for them.

And with the cradle, most people of 6 ft plus will fit comfortably on the table. However, if your client is very short, it can seem a long way to reach those feet from the bottom of the table.

Having a face-hole is better for us when working on shorter clients. And their head can be aligned more easily with more support under the front of their shoulders with the face-hole. But it is generally less flexible than when using a cradle.

I started off with only a cradle, then moved to only a face-hole, and now have both! However, I mostly use it with the cradle.

3. Comfort for the client - thickness of the cushioning

Most massages last an hour or more and so it’s really important that there’s enough cushioning to support them throughout. A physio bench or plinth is usually not comfortable enough for a massage.

As a general rule, the cheaper the couch, the thinner the cushioning. However, there are things you can add to make it more comfortable. There are companies that sell couch-toppers specifically for massage tables. Or you could get some memory foam cut-to-size, place it over the table and cover it with a sheet.

4. Weight of massage table vs sturdiness

With the weight, you’ll need to consider how often you want to move it around. Massage tables can be very heavy and cumbersome and you don’t want to hurt your back when moving it. Consider getting an aluminium one which is generally more light-weight than a wooden frame.

You want your massage table to be sturdy. The last thing you want to worry about is your table collapsing under the weight of your client! If you’re going to be sitting or leaning on it whilst working, you also need to allow for that extra weight. 

I’d recommend checking how much weight your couch can support; you’ll probably be looking for a massage table that can take a minimum of 400lbs.

5. Range of height: how low to how high

For maximum flexibility, you’ll want your massage table to go low enough so that if you’re doing a sports massage or Table Thai Massage, you can use your own body-weight to give a deeper, more effective treatment. In Table Thai, you might also sit, kneel, or even stand on the table, so it needs to be low enough to do that comfortably.

But, of course, it depends on how tall you are. For our deep tissue massage and Table Thai Massage courses, I usually recommend as a rule of thumb that the top of the table comes just above your knee.

6. Three-way adjustable massage table

There’s no question that the more splits in the table, the more comfortable you can make it for your client. If you can partially incline the head of the couch for example, it’s more comfy for them when lying on their back. You might also choose to bend it at the knees and raise their feet - perfect if you’re working on their feet or lower legs.

However, the adjustable mechanism does make it heavier, so if you want to minimise the weight, this might not be the option for you.

7. Electric vs foldable massage table

If you’re fortunate to have a designated space for your treatments, and you have the money to invest, then there’s no doubt an electric massage table is the gold-standard. To be able to adjust the height of the table and incline within the massage is fantastic and allows you complete flexibility in what you can offer and who you can work with.

But it is great to be able to fold the table away and use your space for something else. And, if you’re mobile, there’s no question of putting your electric one in the back of your car! So, a foldable massage table is a necessity for mobile massage.

My favourite massage table

A couple of years ago, I spent two long days working at the NEC, offering Table Thai Massage at the Holistic Health Fair. I wasn’t working with my own massage table and it didn’t go low enough for me (to give you an idea of my height, I’m just under 5ft 6, but always work in bare-feet). By the end of the two days, my back was really starting to hurt a lot.

Throughout those two days, we were positioned close to the Affinity Massage Couches stall and they were demonstrating their top-of-the-range massage table. I spent a lot of my time looking longingly at its features as people tested it out.

I approached them at the end of the second day and asked them how much it would cost and how soon they could deliver. They wanted to talk me through all the aspects of what it could do; however, I knew that it was absolutely the one for me. I was their perfect customer and bought it straightaway!

My clients love it for its comfort; my students love it for its versatility; and I love it for making my job easier.

Where to buy your massage table?

There are many places you can buy your massage table from. If you can go to a show (e.g Holistic Health Fair), then it's a great place to check out what's on offer.

Below are a list of companies I've bought massage tables from over the years and so am happy to recommend them. If buying from Ebay, look for second-hand ones; you can often find a bargain if you know what you're looking for!

Massage Warehouse

Ebay

Ellisons

Affinity Equipment

Kathryn Ellis - massage therapist and trainer

I've been a full-time massage therapist since 2007 and have been training massage therapists since 2009. I specialise in Thai yoga massage and Table Thai Stretch massage as well as deep tissue massage and Sports massage. I work both on and off the table.