Chairs, Tables & Spa Equipment
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Posted: March 12, 2019
Choosing the proper table and accessories to buy can be a daunting task. There are so many choices, so many manufacturers, a multitude of table names, varied widths, specialized uses and colors. Whether I am on a trade show floor, speaking with a spa in their facility or on the phone, the same concerns seem to be global in the industry. How can I possibly make an informed choice with so many decisions to make? Always remember there are tables to fit any budget.
An electric lift table allows therapists and estheticians to walk into any room and quickly adjust it for their height and style of work to ensure good ergonomics, essential for workplace safety and productivity. Lower height capability enables a petite technician to adjust the table to accommodate their size. The on-command height adjustments also allow customization of treatments based on client expectations and feedback during a session. A relaxation massage can become a cranio-sacral session or a deep tissue massage with ease. Similarly an esthetician can adjust the table during a facial as they perform different parts of the treatment. An electric lift table also allows each client to get on and off the table safely.
The first step is to choose the right manufacturer, one with a solid reputation and experience in designing and building products for spas. One whose product engineering ensures longevity, ease of repair, ergonomics and client comfort will serve you best. The initial purchase price may be higher, but their success is proof of long term value and return on investment. Look for companies that have won awards in the market place and can provide references from other successful spas. Don't forget to look for the company's commitment to the environment. Do they offer FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) products, CFC free foams, non-vinyl upholstery fabrics? Is the table ETL or UL listed? Companies committed to doing their best most likely produce the greenest products: products
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Posted: July 21, 2016
The word sauna is of Finnish origin. It is a mode of sweat bathing which requires frequent cooling off. The Finnish, however, did not invent this pleasant form of bathing. Sweat bathing has been popular in cultures around the world for centuries due, among other reasons, to the fact that far less water is required, compared to a traditional bath. In the 20th century, the sauna gained wider notoriety from the success of Finnish athletes in the 1924 Summer Olympic Games. Despite the great heat during those games, Finnish athletes incorporated sauna bathing as part of their training regimen and did remarkably well in the distance running events. Initially a source of fascination for athletes, the sauna has quickly gained a foothold in public and private gyms, fitness studios, wellness centers, and even clinics and spa centers. Athletes saw sauna bathing as a way to recover and promote regeneration, but everyone can benefit from the stabilizing effects on their health. Sauna bathing is characterized by dry heat, followed by cooling off, and repeated in this cycle two or three times during a session. The dry air and high temperatures in a sauna cabin distinguish the sauna remarkably from other forms of warm air bathing, such as steam rooms. A hybrid of the sauna that has developed with modern technology is a form of bathing known as the Sanarium™, also referred to as the soft sauna or bio sauna. The Sanarium™ offers many forms of bathing to suit personal taste. The Sanarium™ transforms one sauna into 5 different types of sauna bath by offering climates such as a: classical traditional sauna, warm air bath, tropical bath, aroma bath, or soft steam bath. The Sanarium™ automatically adjusts the humidity and temperature for each of these different forms of bathing through a preset menu in the sauna control. Many people find the mild heat or humid environments more pleasant than a dry hot sauna. For people with dry skin or membrane
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Posted: July 21, 2016
When built using modern methods and technology as discussed in our recent article, Hydrothermal areas in wet spa facilities can involve a significant investment. This investment can provide equally significant returns; however, there are barriers to overcome with owners and operators who traditionally view these facilities as a free-use amenity type of model. We would like to offer an alternative approach to how wet spa areas can become revenue generating centers using an example based on a destination type of hydrothermal spa facility, with male and female gender segregated areas that include: Sauna, Steam room, Laconium, Igloo or ice chamber, Foot spa, Cool-down showers, Hydrotherapy pool or Relaxation lounge. This type of facility size allows 2,500 square feet per gender, 5,000 square feet total, including circulation space, but excluding locker rooms or treatment areas. How much would a facility like this cost? Using a model of 5,000 square feet, designed and installed, with all technology and the hydrothermal features built, ready to receive finishes, consider the following sums: ◾5,000 sq ft @ $400/sq ft = $2,000,000.00 ◾18,500 sq ft of finishes @ $50/sq ft = $1,000,000.00 ◾Grand Total = $3,000,000 These figures exclude any building services or infrastructure which would be necessary to support a space, whatever it is used for. How is this investment returned? 2,500 square feet of gender-segregated space will easily support 60 guests at any one time. Assume that 20 men and 20 women would be visiting the hydrothermal areas of the spa every 4 hours of a 12 hour operating day. The average charge for using such facilities at a luxury property could be $55, but for the purpose of this exercise we are going to work on a lesser model with a $40 facility fee. ◾20 men + 20 women = 40 guests x $40 = $1,600 ◾Guest turnover @ 3 times a day x $1,600 = $4,800 a day ◾Allowing
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Posted: July 06, 2016Categories: Chairs, Tables & Spa EquipmentFlat Tops Ideal for massage therapy and spa services that do not require the client’s head or legs to be elevated. In cases where elevation is needed, bolsters are used to achieve the client’s desired level of comfort and support. Tilt Tops Perfect for massage therapy and skincare services, such as facial treatments. These tilt models can be positioned completely flat if desired. Salon Tops These units have the ideal combination of features to provide therapists with ultimate versatility, while delivering maximum client comfort. The head and leg sections can be adjusted independently to suit each client’s unique needs. How Much Storage do you Need? If you have ample storage in your treatment room and would rather maximize client access during treatment, opt for a trestle base table. This unique design gives the therapist closer access by allowing him or her to have their knees underneath the table while in a seated position. Shelf base models are convenient for storing extra bolsters or treatment tools, and can easily be concealed beneath a draped sheet or blanket. The ultimate storage opportunities are available in cabinet base models. Depending on the cabinet capacities, some models can even house a small towel cabi, in addition to extra sheets, face rest covers and other tools. Newer models even have integrated towel warmers built into the cabinet structure! Manual Tilt or Power Assist: What’s the difference? You may see terms like “Power Assist” or “Pneumatic” listed on several units throughout the site. The difference between these mechanisms and a traditional “manual” system is very simple. Power Assist is accomplished with the push of a small lever on the back or leg portions of the table, allowing the therapist to make modifications to the back recline or foot elevation while the client is on
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Posted: June 06, 2016Categories: Chairs, Tables & Spa Equipment
Designed for Success! Every decision made in your Spa is intended to create success: profitability and competitiveness for the spa, great experiences for your clients, sustainability for the spa, your staff and our planet. Successful decisions take the breadth of your experience combined with the experience of many others. Your equipment manufacturers can and should be an important part of your team. The first step is to choose the right manufacturer, one with a solid reputation and experience in designing and building products for spas. One whose product engineering ensures longevity, ease of repair, ergonomics and client comfort will serve you best. The initial purchase price may be higher, but their success is proof of long term value and return on investment. Look for companies that have won awards in the market place and can provide references from other successful spas. Don't forget to look for the company's commitment to the environment. Do they offer FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) products, CFC free foams, non-vinyl upholstery fabrics? Companies committed to doing their best most likely produce the greenest products: products that are designed to last. When you are making such a purchase, you’ll want one that satisfies all of the needs of the people who experience it: client, therapist, spa owner, and even the maintenance team. Let’s consider the priorities and all the points of view. The client is the center of all things, your major focus. Comfort is paramount, safety in mounting and dismounting the table, sense of security, serene and harmonious service, and appealing aesthetics are the major concerns. Great padding ensures both comfort for the client and good access for the therapist. This is starting to change, with 4" and even 6" high quality padding options available. The thickness itself is only one criterion. Is it supportive and resilient enough to eliminate pressure on sensitive breasts and bony areas? Does
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Posted: June 06, 2016Categories: Chairs, Tables & Spa Equipment
Medical Spas are an appealing way for physicians to expand their medical practices while increasing private pay revenue. According to Spa Finders, Inc., the first medical spa opened in a hospital in 2000 and there are now over 600 of them in this country. Medical spas are said to be the fastest growing segment in the industry, according to the International Spa Association (ISPA). The International Medical Spa Society says that people spend an average of $720 per visit to a Medical Spa versus $150 spent by those who visit a traditional day spa. Many Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons, Dermatologists and even OB/GYN physicians have begun adding Medical Spa services to their repertoire because these services are the perfect complement to the care delivered in their primary practices. They also help grow sources of revenue from both existing patients, as well as new clients who may also become patients. The key in a Medical Spa is that the experience is not just about clinical expertise. Luxury plays a very important role. When someone visits a Medical Spa for an extravagant treatment, they want– and will pay for – a luxurious experience that meets their expectations. This means that their surroundings and, in particular, the equipment on which they are positioned must convey a sense of luxury. Equipment tends to be sparse and clinical in appearance. A visit to a Medical Spa must be Luxurious in every way… from furniture and equipment, to a décor that is both soothing and opulent, to the staff who will assure the client an unforgettable experience. Selecting the right positioning equipment, like tables and chairs, is far more than an economic decision. Making the right choices will have a positive effect on both your medical Spa’s efficiency and esthetics, which will result in a growing and highly profitable clientele. Here are some factors to keep in mind before making your investment: Is it versatile?