Going to a spa when plus size

[TheEndOfAllMyEndings]

I have a lovely gift of the MN classic spa day after a stressful few months and am really looking forward to it, largely for the pools. However, the experience includes a massage and I'm a bit anxious about that part of it.

I'm a size 20. I'm bringing my own robe in case the ones provided don't fit. But I've never had a full body massage so I read reviews of the spa I'm going to to get an idea of what it's like. Apparently you change into paper pants for the massage - and I'm concerned if they're standard size they won't go on. Can I just take my own knickers do you think? The whole thing is supposed to be relaxing but I'm really on edge that I'll feel out of place, outsized and all wrong and that I'll be embarrassed.

I could just opt out of the massage part I guess but I've been working long hours and my shoulders are so tight I would actually really like one!

Oh please don’t worry, you see all shapes and sizes in Spa’s and the masseuse won’t bat an eyelid! You can of course keep your own pants on if you wish. If you feel really uncomfortable about having a full body massage then just ask for back, neck and shoulder.

Please relax. I go regularly to a spa for several days at a time and believe me, the clientele are all shapes and sizes. Size 20 is not at all uncommon where I go (Ragdale Hall, love it.)The robes should be available in different sizes.
(I'm a 16-18 myself.)
Take a spare pair of pants to the massage if you're concerned the disposable ones won't fit and the masseuse can always roll them down a bit if necessary. (Disposable ones are very flimsy IME.)
And you can always phone them with your specific concerns before you go.

Please don't worry about it! I've had plenty of massages but never even came across paper knickers. Just ask them before undressing if you should keep on yours. Personally I prefer to disrobe completely- they can access your glutes much better and they always keep you covered up with a towel anyway - but I realize that's not for everybody. Just don't wear anything either too tight or that goes all the way up to your waist.

Please don't cancel the massage. It sounds like you're actually looking forward to it and the treat of a day to relax and enjoy yourself. Just wear your own knickers or bikini bottoms and enjoy the experience.

What a lovely gift. I'm about the same size and love a massage. I always wear my own pants, older ones that it doesn't matter if the oil used gets on them and definitely ones that offer more coverage.
Remember the staff have seen pretty much all shapes and sizes, squishy bits, non squishy bits etc so don't worry about that.
The robe/towel thing for me is more of an issue as rarely big enough. I have one of those Turkish 'towels' which I often take to cover up.

Please don't worry! I'm a similar size, when I've been to spas I wear a (clean and dry) bikini/tankini rather than use their paper pants.

I usually keep the top on too.

The bottom line is that the spa team want you to have a lovely time, they've seen lots of bodies, and they'll go with whatever makes you comfortable.

I'm bigger than you and never had a problem with the robes. I'm sure they will fit fine. I also wore my own underwear. Everyone is so relaxed and focused on themselves with all body types on show, no one will be looking or judging you. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Ok this is all so reassuring! I think taking my own robe and own knickers will make me feel a lot less anxious so I'll do that and then hopefully be able to relax!

It's worth thinking about the bikini/bra top you wear.

I like to keep mine on as long as possible - but for a back massage it's useful to be able to undo the back of the bikini/bra - so that they can access your back, so back fastening is really useful!

I go to a lot of spas and never changed into paper pants for a massage. I just wear my bikini bottoms. The massage is the best bit so please don’t opt out. The masseuse will have massaged hundreds of people of different shapes and sizes.

Since when do you get paper knickers? Never experienced them - the ones I've been too say either take everything off (you are covered with a towel) or keep your knickers/bikini bottoms on if you don't feel comfortable naked, I'm happy naked myself

I used to work in a spa, please don't worry. We don't think anything whatsoever.

We've seen bodies in all shapes and sizes. Yes you can wear your own underwear if you're more comfortable wearing that or bikini bottoms.

The paper pants are a bit irritating around the waistband anyway and I personally wear my bikini bottoms.

I'm a size 22 and never had an issue with robe size. have lots of lovely spar days inc most recently for my birthday and when i was pregnant with my daughter.

Some supply paper knickers - usually they are fine but have once or twice asked for a larger size or asked to keep my own cotton ones tell them i know they may be wrecked by the oils etc. they're there to make your experience enjoyable and will not pressure you into anything you're uncomfortable with.

Have an amazing time!!

As a therapist in a spa I promise you have nothing to worry about at all! Everyone comes in all shapes and sizes, generally the paper pants are extremely stretchy and also completely unflattering for everyone honestly I still don't know which way is the right way to put them on because they never look right on anyone regardless of size 🤣 but you can absolutely wear your own! Personally I'd wear something old and stretchy if possible (I'd also pack clean ones for after as although most therapists would tuck towels in to avoid any mess they most likely will get oil on them) or any bikini bottoms etc, I wouldn't advise a full swimsuit for during the massage, they can be really awkward to pull down and sit uncomfortable/tight around the waist and often disturbs the relaxing flow of the massage trying to adjust to get where you want. Personally I much prefer to wear nothing then there's access to all areas of the body - any good therapist would ensure you're modesty is always covered with towels but I'd always ask about this first because understandably this isn't always appropriate everywhere 😂 I know in our spa our robes would absolute go above that size but again not everywhere may so bringing your own is always good so you know you will be comfortable (plus some spas the robe isn't the greatest either) I'd also bring some sliders/flip flops if they're not provided for after as your feet may be oily and save any slipping 💗

I hope you go and get a wonderful therapist and have a lovely massage and spa day 🥰

Thanks everyone. I'm a yo yo dieter and there's always that feeling of - maybe I should put off this holiday/spa/outfit/experience until I 'deserve' it for losing weight. It would be nice to tell myself my body is worth looking after and treating nicely all the time! I will go and enjoy it!

I wouldn't take your own robe - everyone will be in the branded ones, so you'll feel more out of place in a different one. They will have robe sizes that fit large men, you'll be absolutely fine. You might want to request a larger one via customer services before you go, as they do tend to give out an average size.

I would either wear a pair of your own knickers or a swimsuit for the massage, paper knickers are a PITA anyway LOL, not that I've seen them in evidence much.

I am a similar size to you, and have no issues at all. There will be all shapes and sizes there. Just relax and have a lovely time.

Own your space.

You're as worthy of a massage as anyone else.

Don’t give it another thought OP, just relax and enjoy. You will love it.

OP, rules for a body massage are:

1. Have a body
2. Get a massage

Please do not worry. I have a good friend who owns a spa, and I read her your OP and she said that no one cares! People have different bodies & shapes, you have no reason to feel uncomfortable!

Enjoy your spa day!

You have every right to be there as much as anyone and you ought to walk in there and act like it :D people are too busy worrying about themselves anyway, and if people stare or do anything nasty, flash the biggest smile you have and saunter off to your next appointment knowing they're at a spa and STILL can't feel positive. Hope you have a lovely time!!

Have a wonderful time.

You have paid the same price as everyone else (or your gifter has) and you are every bit as deserving of a relaxing experience as anyone else.

Don't let anyone make you think you're any less deserving.

You're unlikely to be the biggest there at size 20. There shouldn't be an issue with the robe. I've only once been somewhere that offered paper knickers, but they were fine (I was size 22 at the time.) But wearing your own should be fine; taking spares to go home in is a good idea though. Enjoy it!

My mum did massage, she got used to working on bodies of all sizes but when she started she had a preference of working with plus size bodies as she found it easier for massage. Everyone of every size feels self conscious of some part of themselves, ask someone whose a size 8 if they feel confident going to a spa for the first time and I bet there’s something they are worrying about, men too. Don't delay going while trying to diet and don’t cancel the massage part. Life is short, humans come in all shapes and sizes, lumps and bumps, big and small (I have friends who would worry about being too skinny to go), have a wonderful time.

I'm a size 18 and honestly, I've never even thought about it. The robes are still quite big on me - I'm also 5'9. Keep in mind they need to fit men too usually and bodies come in all heights and weights. I've probably only ever been offered the paper pants once ever, so it's not a usual thing and you don't need to wear them. Just wear normal pants. They sometimes offer as a courtesy for people who come in their expensive undergarments and don't want to get oil on them. But I wouldn't wear them unless I absolutely couldn't keep mine on for whatever reason.

And honestly, the clientele of the spas I go to is not lithe young models. It's middle aged and older women. Being a size 18, I'd say I'm probably average or smaller than the majority of the women I tend to see there. Your body is perfectly normal and uneventful to them at a size 20. They won't even think twice about it. Enjoy your lovely spa day!

Take your own flip-flops. There’s something nasty about the ones they provide, especially once you’ve put wet feet in them. Enjoy!