Setting up Chair Massage at Curves and other Gyms

[eastglam]

Was just wondering if anyone has set up recurring visits to the local Curves or workout places and how they went about getting that done? Do you go in to speak with the Managers personally? What information did you take with you? How long did it take to get the gig set up?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[knight]

Maybe the rules are different in the US, but in Canada, the Head Office for Curves had stated quite categorically that they would not allow chair massage in any of their locations.

I was however allowed to put brochures there.

Good luck - things can always change so it is worth a try.

Marion

 

[YooHoo]

What is your goal? to do table massage at this gym, get members to come to you or to get outcall clients?

I think you will find the majority opinion/experience here is that free chair massage does not turn into paying table clients, especially if there is no treatment room at the gym.

 

[cam can help]

I am mainly looking for table clients, I do both office and home visits and was hoping to go to the Curves in the town where my office is for office call clients and in the town I live in for the home visit clients and thought that if I could figure out how to do the initial contact, I could set up several places for more exposure. Until recently, I had been working full-time at a spa over 1.5 hours away and doing my own office and outcalls on my two days "off"... I have recently cut the spa to two days and need to get the local clientele built up quickly.

I wasn't sure if it would have to be "free" chair massage because about 5 years ago when I was a member at a Curves they brought someone in at $1/minute... but perhaps that isn't the "norm" for a situation like this.

I've tried postcard mailings, I have a webpage, I've done Google adwords, I've joined all kinds of on-line listings like MassageAngels and the listing of CAM Providers with Psychology Today, etc. it has built but very slowly and I need more than the 8 or so massages a month that I have been getting on a part time basis.... SO, any help or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[junebug493]

I've tried postcard mailings,

Keep in mind Direct Mail is wildly successful if it has a 2% hit rate. The rule of thumb in advertising is it takes 8 impressions for your message to stick.

I have a webpage, I've done Google adwords,

I can't remember the function, but Adwords and Yahoo's pay per click can show you how often your search terms are searched for. May not be many fish in that sea.

it has built but very slowly and I need more than the 8 or so massages a month that I have been getting on a part time basis.... SO, any help or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

You seem to be on the right track. Unfortunately, practice building is almost never fast.

 

[Pompal 09.]

If you can't get something setup where you can work on their members try offering free massage to their staff. Most importantly their personal trainers. You may have luck if you offer free massage to the gym employees. The personal trainers can be a valuable asset. They work with the members one on one and know about all their aches and pains.

 

[Bad Jelly]

I agree 100% that offering free massages to the trainers will help. Or at leats meeting the trainers and getting to know them. I work out at Gold's Gym and I got quite a bit of business from the trainers. Unfortunately, all those trainers are gone now, their employee turnover rate seems high

I also get business from fellow exercisers (I take classes) and class instructors.

When I took a Thai massage class I approached more muscular women in my class and asked if they would let me practice on them as that particular form of Thai massage (Erawan) is good for muscular, fit people. I got repeat business from them afterwards.

I also massaged the instructor for a popular class and now she always makes some comments in class about how much she liked my massage and points me out to people.

I did set up a chair at the gym once but it was not great, just OK. People were sweaty or in a hurry to get going.

Leaving my brochures at the gym worked well. Except for now they wouldn't let me do it - they have a hydro massage bed and they are pushing that! So now it's all personal contacts.

 

[LarryBoy]

If you can get them to take your cards and brochures that would be fabulous. Two of my best clients were from curves. Especially promote yourself on working on shoulder injuries, flexibility, and post workout health and recovery.

Those two clients came to me with shoulder injuries incurred from improper use of their machines. If Curves has "trainers" that's news to me@!

 

[Aaron D]

I think you can give them your business card or brochures and ask them to pass it out, or leave on reception's desk. I have seen these before in my local gym. It's probably not likely to do a massage there, unless the gym is big and has dedicated rooms/area.