Massage Therapist training- worth it?

[Hadituptoere]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in training for level 3 massage therapy and just wondering if you went on to successfully have a career in Massage Therapy or if it was a big flop?

It’s going to cost me £3345 so a decent and concerning amount if it’s a flop.

Looking/aiming for part time hours once the course is completed to fit around a busy family life either self employed renting a station in a salon or in a spa.

Thanks for reading 😊

I’m also interested in this, as I’m a week away from qualifying in level 3 holistic massage. Just got my anatomy & physiology exam to do. I’m going to do mobile massage initially. Who are you planning to study with OP? I’ve done the ITEC course with gateway, which cost about £1000 not including exam fees

Ah amazing, well done you! @nomorespaghetti I’ll be doing it with Jarvis Training Management in house 1 day a week for 18 weeks.

I have been a therapist for 15 years and worked in a well known top spa for that whole time. I love it but it is hard work. A lot of people find spa too hard and give up. Doing 6-8hours of massage a day is a lot, you really need to look after yourself and I would not recommend only having a massage qualification at all. You need to at least have a facial qualification I would say for it to be sustainable.

When you get a job you will be trained in whatever brand they use and trained in their treatments. For example my spa have used elemis, decleor, clarins, espa and if you only did massage half of their treatments you wouldn't be trained in so your colleagues would have all the facials and you would be doing all the massage. Spas also expect you to sell products after your treatments which you would get commission on. So there is potential to earn a lot but you have to be a good seller too. It is also easier to sell after facials so that helps your earning potential.
This isn't to put you off, I absolutely love my job but it's not for everyone. Salons are easier to work in but you would definitely need a nail and facial qualification aswel as massage for a salon.

@Angelbunny that is some great advice, I really appreciate you taking the time to share it.

This course unfortunately doesn’t offer facial training however they do offer nails but for an extra £3345 😬 so maybe that’s for another time.

Did you start with all the courses under your belt or added skills through attending courses over the 15 years?

Thanks again!

I initially did a course in holistic therapy which included Swedish massage, Indian head massage, Reflexology and facials. After a few years I did courses in nails, waxing and sports massage. As I said though as soon as you get a job you will be trained in the brand treatments. Its something I didn't realise, I thought I would just be booked to do general massages but the brands have their own routines and way they want you to do the treatments.

In my spa I don't think they would actually hire someone with only a massage qualification. For example, the elemis treatments we do are deep tissue massage, a face a body treatment and 4 different facials. The only one you would be able to be trained in would be deep tissue and that's hard work. I would definitely recommend a facial course even if you're not too interested in it. I don't particularly like facials - massage is definitely my thing but I wouldn't have been able to do my job for the amount of time I have if I only did massage. People under estimate how tough it is on our bodies so really make sure you look after yourself.

As PP has said, very physically hard if massage is the only treatment you'll do. Plus factor in carrying your couch around if you're doing mobile massage - it's a lot!

You'd have to do multiple per day to make a decent living. And people don't tend to want to pay even half of what they'd pay in a salon for a massage at home. It's probably going to take over 100 massages before you break even...

Also remember that massage is a total luxury. When money is tight for clients, it's easier for them to get rid of their massage than nails or facial, for example (because you can't see the results of massage).

Sorry if that sounds negative, OP. If you really enjoy it giving massages then I'm sure it can also be an extremely rewarding career.

You can find just 1 day courses in facials which arent too much money you just need to make sure it covers practical and theory/skincare. Beauty academy are good or gateway. That's all you would need to get a job and then the brands train you all again in their facials/products. All of my knowledge comes from the brand training, you just need that certificate to get on the brand training.

I did the itec course and bought a couch and tried I admit half heartedly to get it to take off. I was working full time as well though so only doing it in evenings! It never took off. I didn’t pay anything like 3k

I think if I had rented a room I might have had more luck but I agree the more treatments you can offer the busier you will be, so facials, reflexology that sort of stuff.

I did an iTec Level 3 last year and absolutely loved it. I'm slowly setting my self up and all in I've paid about what you've estimated in course fees and equipment. I have a room at home. I am finding that there is so, so much to learn though outside of the Level 3 course. It's a basic course and I've added another couple of courses on. The next one is MLD. I still have a job but do massage self employed a few hours a week and the hardest part so far for me has been 1. Trying not to tear myself to shreds over whether people enjoyed the treatment/will leave bad reviews afterwards and 2. Advertising and pushing my business. That but can be exhausting! No spa jobs around here and my aim would be to only do 3 max in a day so wouldn't want to approach a spa really.

I do love it though, it's an addictive career I think, always something new to learn, people to meet and I'll be honest, doing an actual massage is extremely relaxing for me as well! Especially the evening ones when it's all cosy blankets and twinkly lights (holistic obviously, not sports :D). The few moments you spend with someone when they get off the couch and they're sleepy and relaxed and happy is a great buzz.

It does take time to get your name out there, people who enjoy massage likely already have someone they use so you're looking to find new business. The general consensus is that it takes a solid few years from qualifying and in a cost of living crisis it's just not possible for me to take the risk of jumping into full time with it at the moment so for now, I'm going to continue, enjoy the bits I'm doing and aim to move full time in the next two years I think. Overall, I'd say go for it. I booked mine on a whim and haven't regretted it yet!

Where did you guys trained, I am looking in to taking courses at London school of massage .

That's a lot. I did mine for £1000 with Gateway