What Equipment Do I Need To Start A Massage Business?
The kit and equipment that you need to be able to work as a Massage Therapist, is something many people underestimate. On our Level 3 Diploma in both Massage and in Reflexology, getting to know your kit, setting up, and everything you will need is the very first thing we do together, for a reason.
The beauty of this is, outside of the bare essentials, you do have the option to keep this super simple. You can be as stripped back and basic or as plush and luxurious as you wish - just always take into consideration that those choices reflect on the clientele that will be walking through your door.
So, here is a break down of the essentials, the options, and the lovely extras, to set up your new massage business.
Massage Treatment Room
To start, let’s make sure we have insurance all sorted. I can only say great things about the fab team at Holistic Insurance Services who has covered me for massage, yoga and the training school for as long as I have been in operation. They are always super approachable, helpful and supportive whether on email or on the phone. Ok, the not so exciting essential complete - let’s get building!
Your Massage Therapy Essential Shopping List
Massage Couch
Couch covers
Sheets / Towels/ Linens
Blanket
Pillows & Bolsters
Oils & Oil Canisters/Heaters
Lovely Extras
Your Massage Couch
Your massage couch is the most expensive, and arguably the most important, investment you will make in your kit. Every therapist will have their absolute favourite and go to couch that they will recommend. You can read our ‘ How To Choose the Right Massage Couch’ blog to help you decide on the right one for you!
My big tip here is don’t skrimp on this key piece of equipment. It is the foundation of both your work and your clients comfort. I have had so many clients over the years that have commented on how they didn’t realise how uncomfortable other therapists couches were, until they got on mine. Which by the way, is a big boy 79cm Montclair Pro from Master Massage. I personally will only use Master Massage tables, after years of trying all the brands out there, they never fail on construction, comfort and most importantly, live forever. My ‘second’ couch is Coronado that is 9 years old and still looks and feel like brand new after thousands of uses.
On training, we use 4 totally different size and weight couches so that you get the opportunity to feel and use all the styles! Light weight mobile, wooden and metal legs, all the way up to my personal Montclair.
Second Hand Couches
When you are starting up or perhaps are not ready to invest in your forever couch, there are plenty of second hand couches out there. Look for reputable brands, make sure there are no tears and that all the legs lock correctly. In a dream scenario, it will also come with a bag to help protect it as you carry and move it around.
A firm favourite, the Coronado couch, in action!
Couch Covers & Base Layers
Optional heater
Waterproof/ sanitary barrier
Couch cover
Before you get to layer your beautiful linens, we need to establish a good base. If you do not have a built in heater or Therma Top couch, this may mean a single bed heater. There is nothing better than your clients sliding into a cosy, warm couch to help them instantly relax, feel comfortable and cared for!
After that, is your hygiene layer. I use a waterproof couch cover, sometimes called a sanitary barrier cover. This is the barrier that is going to protect your couch from oil (as well as sweat and germs) to keep it like new for years to come. This barrier is 100% essential if you are adding a heated under blanket as you do not want to get any oil on that!
Your standard couch cover comes next. These are a fitted sheet created especially for massage couches and I highly recommend you get two or three good ones. If you look after them, they will last you for years but the cheap, thin ones are essentially useless.
Linens & Towels
Linens or towels come next. I use hands towels for my face cradle and to cover my bolster, and two (one to lay on and one to cover over) large, soft muslin sheet linens for my layers. After years of trial, a firm favourite, and now also amongst the vast majority of my students, are the Ikea VALLKRASSING throws- You can see them in action in the image above. They are perfect massage sheets - they are big and drape beautifully both over the whole couch and your client, are soft 100% cotton muslin, cost effective, wash great, come in three natural colours, and look fabulous. Better still, they wash better and dry way quicker than towels do which is a God send in the winter months. There are loads of these type of sheet out there you can try so, shop around.
You can of course use towels too. If you are going to go down the towel route make sure you go for giant and jumbo bath sheets so that they fully cover both your couch, and your clients body. Although towels can be cheaper to buy, I find that they hold oil quicker and actually do not last as long in the long run.
A question we often get is, what to do with sheets and towels once they are passed their best?! Well, you can give them a whole new life by donating them to your local animal shelter or kennels. We have even seen them donated to a local zoo and become blankets for their Orangutans!
Blankets
I use two different blankets, essentially one being heavier than the other but the one I use is most is Yoga Matters Organic Cotton Yoga Blanket. It is the perfect balance of feeling slightly weighted for the client, creating a feeling of warmth and safety for the nervous system, while also being easy enough to fold and drape as you are working. This is the top layer of your couch so is also the section that your client sees when they enter your treatment room meaning it needs to make a good first impression, looking clean and professional. If you intend on having a colour theme and aesthetic for your space, try not to compromise too much on quality and ease of use, over aesthetics.
In the height of summer (hello heatwaves of 2026), you may wish to use a lighter blanket/ cover. Always ask your client which they would prefer.
Pillows & Bolsters
In your essential kit, you will want one normal pillow (for under the head, supporting the body etc) and also a bolster that will go under the feet/ ankles and be able to go under the knees. Your massage couch will often come with a half moon bolster which is perfect for the job, if it doesn’t then you can easily buy one. To me, these are not a luxury extra item, bolsters and pillows to support the body are a comfort essential. It may also be worth having a bigger, yoga style bolster too as a number of your clients will want a bigger under knee support than your standard half moon bolster.
Big tips.
ALWAYS keep pillows and bolsters covered in at least one layer of protective towel as they are not easy to wash or clean, and can be expensive to replace.
Yoga kit can be great quality but is also wildly expensive!! Check out sports shops and even shops like Dunelm for pillows and bolsters, they have loads.
Oils and Oil Heaters
Now, which massage oil to use is a whole other topic, you can read about it HERE. There are lots of options available to you from cold pressed and organic to water dispersible blends that wash out of your linens easier. You choose what fits best with your style of massage offerings and you clients expectations.
However, regardless of what you use I think an oil heater is an essential piece of kit and makes a huge difference. No one enjoys the sensation of cold oil being their first experience of a massage! Trust me, your clients will thank you and go ‘ooo, warm oil’, make happy noises and suddenly that £50 you spent on a heater will feel instantly worth it.
Top Tip - Try and always use glass or metal bottles. We always want to be limiting our plastic use as much as possible plus, they last far longer!
Other Lovely Bits…
So, you are all kitted out with your essential kit and are ready to go!! Of course, on top of all of these things you can let your creativity run wild and have plenty of extra things that elevate your clients experience in your treatment room. Over the years I have seen my students go on to create stunning spaces that reflect not just their massage offerings, but their own personalities too! Here is a list of just a few…
Scents and smells that flow with the seasons.
Local organic herbal teas for after treatments.
Copper bowls for magnesium or rose petal foot soaks while consultations are completed
Warm mitts for welcome touches.
Weighted eye pillows and masks
Perfectly curated music playlists
Sound therapy and guided meditations incorporated in
Goody bags to take home as aftercare
Fresh Aloe Vera during the heatwaves
Using a foot and cream instead of normal oil for hands and feet
Accupressure mats laid under towels for an extra zing!
The list could go on, and on!