im having some issues deciding on a table.

[AdminAVZ]

i go to pittsburgh school of massage therapy and they require us to get a table so that we can bring in for class work in swedish, neuromuscular and reiki massages and also do our practice massages on people. and im stuck between two tables. i dont know why but i am partial to the oakworks tables

this is the nova and i wanted the
aero cell padding (it would save me money on padding
the arm sling
and the boiance face cradle pillow
those are addons
http://www.massagetables.com/portable-massage-table/Nova-Student-Accessory-Package.asp
ive been told this table will last me my career

the second is a very light table specifically for travelling.
the kela
http://www.massagetables.com/portable-massage-table/KeLa-30-in-Package.asp
but ive been told that it wont last me my entire career but it should last me between 3-5 years
and you cant put any add ons on it.

there is a substanial price difference but im not sure what i should do. can anyone give me any pointers and help?
thanks!

 

[blah13]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

ive been told this table will last me my career

I'd love to have time to address your post, but this stands out to me (see above).

That all depends on what you do with your table, how you store it and how many years you plan to practice. I'm not sure if this table will last you 20 years. Nice thought, but you can't count on it.

Just want to let you know that, in case you didn't realize it.

 

[Jerico]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

That all depends on what you do with your table, how you store it and how many years you plan to practice.

Pueppi makes a good point... not to mention that the course of your career may change over the years as well. I can tell you when I was in school I certainly never thought that I would be doing outcalls for much of my "working MT life." Or that I'd be working from a spa either.

So you may initially think a nice sturdy Nova is the way to go... but if you have to do a lot of outcalls at some point in your career, you might appreciate a lighter table.

Feb. 4th marks the 14th anniversary of my starting MT school. My original table (an Earthlight Avalon) is still in very good condition, though over it's life it's probably had only light use as most of the salons or spas I worked out of provided their own table. It has a small tear that is nearly invisible if the table is up. And most of the time it is covered with mattress pads & linens, so one would never know.

A few years ago I purchased a lighter table for doing outcalls, and it's also got nicer padding and therefore means I have less to haul... what leaves more energy for me to do the actual work is what I am currently concerned about. I spent way too many years being a "pack mule." :
It is a Duralite which had been made by Master Massage Tables. It has a tiny nick in the vinyl thanks to my sister's cat. *sigh* But otherwise it's also in very good condition for a 4 yr old table.

Don't forget to consider looking online for used, perhaps Craigslist or E-bay might be the answer for getting the table you want at the price you can afford.

 

[xjuskk]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

One other quick point as I zoom through. The arm sling that attaches to the face cradle will put much more stain on it than the rest that attaches to the table.

 

[Ray G]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

My 1st thought is that you can never go wrong with an Oakworks, to me they are the best tables made. We have one at our clinic that is used 7 days a week and it is over 20 yrs old. That said, it is a stationary table and those always last longer.

You need to go with the table that is most appropriate for what you will be using it for. If your long-term plans are to do housecalls then you will need a lighter table, if you plan to work out of an office then go for the better made one.

Also on the arm rests, I never like them. To me they encourage clients to lay with their arms on them (duh, that's why they're there) which means that the shoulder muscles are contracted. These are the very shoulder muscles that most clients come in to get worked on. I think the arm rests are counter-productive.

Angie

 

[Cecilia]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

If you are able to invest in a durable, lightweight table upfront while still in school I would suggest the pisces production model: New Wave II Lite. It starts at about 20LBS and it's may seem like the construction is too light and thin but it is not. The padding is comfortable and it is very easy to tote around. My mother is very petite and short and she is able to carry hers around without my help now that she upgraded her table. ( She is not a MT but an esthetician and purchased the table that can lift up. It is a little heavier but the table is comfortable and solid). Their tables are pricey but are worth it. If you call them directly and ask them to work with you on the pricing they will do what they can to discount. That is what I did when I purchased my mother's and my own table when I was finally able to....

http://piscespro.com/products/lite

 

[sweet_heart]

im having some issues deciding on a table.

I just wanted to say I bought the arm sling, and I haven't used it yet, for anything. All we needed our tables for in school were field experiences, personally I find it hard to work on anyone with their arms folded like that, you really need them to lay flat, or you move them in the correct position. My MT does a lot of arm movements on me to get my Rotator Cuff muscles.

I bought an Earthlite table that they no longer manufacture, but I would go with the table that 'lasts a lifetime' if you treat it right. The wood tables don't really weigh that much, once you figure out how to carry them correctly....