You can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $150 per hour for a Massage treatment or Personal Training session.
You’re probably thinking that’s a huge price range and that’s what I’d like to explain on this page.
Why the huge price variation?
It's because there are 3 different types of massage.
1. Traditional Massage Styles Price Range: $80 per hour
This includes massages like Thai massage or Chinese massage and although you can get a great massage from these places, it’s very hit and miss. The reason for this is that these businesses employ staff without formal qualifications. They also have a high turn over of staff. Staff are also exploited heavily by working long hours and receiving only a fraction of the cost of the massage and there is no career progression.
An 1 hour massage will only cost you $70 but keep in mind that the massage won’t be tailored to your particular needs and will just follow a standard routine.
Privacy might be an issue also as you are probably going to be in an area partitioned by curtains which don’t block out noise.
2. Remedial Massage Price Range: $80 - $120 per hour
Remedial Massage & Myotherapy is the highest level of formal qualification for massage in Australia. It takes about 18 – 28 months of full-time study to become a Remedial Massage Therapist or Myotherapist.
Throughout that time of schooling students must comply with Professional Standards - Hygiene, Ethics, Confidentiality. Human Health - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Specific Massage Styles - Deep Tissue, Trigger Point & Myofascial Release. Students must complete a minimum amount of supervised clinic hours. Once qualified, Remedial massage Therapists & Myotherapists must register with an Association in order to maintain their qualifications and be eligible to provide health fund rebates to customers.
You will always be asked to fill in a detailed intake form about your health and reason for seeking massage. Therapists take great interest about your specific issue and really focus in on doing their best to solve it for you by applying specific techniques to the problem areas of your body.
Having said this there is no guarantee that your therapist will be exceptional, you will still need to find the right therapist for you, and once you do, you know they will always be there for you when you need them, year in year out. There is still a huge range of skills and experience out there, like in all industries. Most serious Therapists however don’t change location frequently and they normally have a fairly professional set up either at their home or in a retail space.
If you want the best out of massage and ensure you are in a professional environment, a remedial massage is ideal, provided you shop around and find the right fit for you.
3. Spa Massage Price Range: $120-$150 per hour
In this scenario you are paying for the whole therapeutic, healing, zen like experience. It’s like going to a 5 star hotel. You get pampered before, during and after your treatment. Warm tea is offered, soft couches to relax on before and after treatment, candles, soft music and staff wearing classic uniforms. The massage itself can range from relaxation to deep tissue. When we use these spa massage services we are generally inclined to visit less frequently, like when we are on holiday or out for a day trip.