Service Review: Massage Envy – Exton

I was recently invited to visit Massage Envy Spa in Exton, PA to experience their massage services and share my experience on PhillyReview.com. As a massage regular for many years I was excited to have the opportunity to learn more about this company and see how their services compare to other massage therapists.

My experience during this visit exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked into the retail front, I was warmly welcomed by smiling staff who brought out the papers needed for first-time guests. This was a standard provider questionnaire to ensure they understood my expectations and for the therapist to ascertain my trouble spots.

My Pre-conceived Apprehension

When I think back to my experiences with franchise massage and spa services, my memories were not always positive. Before this invitation to Massage Envy, I experienced major franchise spas with two major drawbacks.

• The first was insisting an hour massage was 50 minutes of massage and 10 minutes of administration (paperwork). This was not a “true” 60-minute massage! I wanted my full 60 minutes of tension melting, muscle relaxing time.
• The second issue I’ve always had with franchise massage spas was the “hard pitch” for a membership of questionable value, even if I did get regular massages.
  I did not feel either of these were an issue during my visit this afternoon.

I did not feel either of those prior worries were a concern during this visit. As you will see the therapist took her time, the semi-private waiting area allowed time to relax before and after the massage, and the service was excellent. Instead of giving you the hard sell, they let their service to the talking and make the deal good enough to be worth your self-investment if you can enjoy a regular massage.

The current pricing –

Exton, PA & Springfield, PA

First time guest – $55 for a 60-minute service (you are offered this discount 1 time every 6 months)
Membership price is – $65 a month for 1- 60-minute service a month, any additional service is only $45
Non-member price( if you have already had the discount and you are coming back again within the 6 months) – $95

This gets you access to two dozen massage therapists with varying styles, a handful of estheticians for facials and other services as they expand, and the flexible schedule that comes with that many providers in one location.

According to Sue (the Administrator for both Exton and Springfield locations) “We now offer Chemical peels and will be offering Microderm Infusion by September” and I imagine there will be other services being added in the future.

The Massage Facilities – Exton

The Exton, PA Massage Envy was the 1000th clinic to open for Massage Envy and they are the largest in their region.

The first room I was introduced to after my intake paperwork was complete was the relaxing pre-massage room. With ambient lighting, a water cooler, and comfortable seating, it is a good place to get into the “zone” before your service.

There was a short tour of the massage rooms and facilities. This space is larger than expected with a good number of rooms and a very clean welcoming environment. The facility never felt clinical or sterile, with warmly toned appointments, well-lit rooms, and soft music throughout. I did get the feeling there could have been more personalization in decoration with some areas having nothing on walls or in rooms. A little personal touch with adornments would help remove some of the franchise corporate feel to the place.

They have a large room for couples massage with two tables as well as smaller individual rooms. Each room has individually controlled light, music, and temperature to ensure you are comfortable at all times. During one part of my massage, there was a louder clunking noise that was noticeable, but not distracting. This is to be expected at a spa in a business complex.

The tables are very comfortable with plenty of cushioning and an adjustable face cradle the worked well for me.

The Massage

Paige was my massage therapist on this day. I am not sure if she was aware I was there for this review, however, she did not strike me as going above and beyond just because of the potential press. I’ve had enough experience with therapists to know she truly cared about her craft and understood both of our goals. For me, my priorities are shoulders and arms and I prefer deeper pressure. Ultimately Paige took her time reviewing trouble spots and when she found an area of need, she honed in on it and started working her magic to relive the knot. She had a much stronger hand than her appearance would have you believe. I do have to give some credit to the electric tables that allowed her to raise the height mid-massage to work in more detailed motions and lower the table for better leverage when stronger pressure is needed.

In the post massage review, Paige went over the trouble spots she noticed and gave me a plan for taking care of these issues in the future. It was these extra few moments that go long way in feeling as this was a complete treatment.

Overall I was pleased with my time at Massage Envy and Paige. I believe you won’t be disappointed if you need a tension melting and relaxing quick afternoon or evening escape. I look forward to returning in the future.

Vince

http://vincentdiangelus.com/