Ready to buy a table.....help!

[#2 yankeesfan]

I graduate in a month and am just now getting my table (at the great student discount!)
Ok......so I finally decided on an Earthlite Spirit. But would love some feed back on table width, color options, bolsters (do I need one?).

Im hoping to have an in home practice.....so I dont plan on lugging my table around but you never know.

Also...on color, is darker better or does it matter?

Bolsters.......should I get one?

Rounded corners? good or bad?

Double knob option? an annoyance or security?

Shiatsu release cables?

and most importantly width......28....30....or 32 ?

Anything else IM forgetting?

thanks!

 

[The fish guy]

Ready to buy a table.....help!

Table color, to me it doesnt matter. I never see the color of my table anyway because I have a sheepy and a heating pad on it.

Bolsters, I wouldnt be without mine. A bolster is so much more firm than a pillow. I also feel bolsters show a bit of professionalism. Everyone has pillows at home, but who has a bolster?

Rounded corners, to me it doesnt matter. Personally, I think it is a marketing ploy.

Double knob option? I assume you are refering to the face cradle mechanism. Some face cradles only have one knob and are just as adjustable as my oakworks two knob face cradle. I would never ever get a face cradle that does not fully adjust.

Shiatsu release cables? I have no experience with this type of table.

As for table width, I would go with the 32 inch table. I believe mine is 33. In school, they said if you are short, go with a narrower table. Of course, they told us this AFTER we had ordered our tables. I ordered mine wide to accomodate heftier clients and I am glad I did! How embarrassing it would be to be on a table that isnt wide enough!.

Another thing you may want to consider is how high and low your table can be adjusted. My table has an arm rest shelf and because of that, it cannot go lower than 24 inches. I would love it to go down to 17 inches.

 

[jelainazareno]

Im hoping to have an in home practice.....so I dont plan on lugging my table around but you never know.
- I bought a light one because I have knee issues, and now a back problem, so yes, you never know... and it is better for portability.

Also...on color, is darker better or does it matter?
- Color - I have purple, because I saw it and liked it. Even though it is under sheets, I still know. I am also very against hospital colors, and purple is just so nice. When I did housecalls, everyone used to comment on the color. So get whatever you like, it costs the same, and no matter what it has to be ordered! Although, I have heard stories that you shouldn't get a very light color.

Bolsters.......should I get one?
- Absolutely. They come with the table for a reason! I am actually thinking getting a few more in different sizes. I can't lay flat, again because of my back, and I don't like to do leg work without a bolster. Better hand postitioning for me, and comfort level for them.

Rounded corners? good or bad?
- Never used one...

Double knob option? an annoyance or security?
- I will go with the other option, if the knobs are on the legs - yes it is an annoyance, and can cause a problem if you are short or tall. Since the posts have to accomodate. Make sure that the table can be set comfortably for your height, raised high enough, and low enough if you choose to at a later time.

Shiatsu release cables?
- Never used one... I rarely do shiatsu, but if I do, I actually do it on the table the way it is.

and most importantly width......28....30....or 32 ?
- Measure the tables that you are currently using and see what you are comfortable with. I'm tall and a 32 puts too much pressure on my back, so it doesn't just cause an issue if you are short, but I would have an even higher consideration if that was the case.

Anything else IM forgetting?
- Definitely get the adjustable head rest.
- Look at the posts on face cradles.
- Extra padding... ah, nice option, but adds weight and $$$, you can always add a foam cushion or egg crate later.
- When I buy another table I am definitely going to get the split top so that the head can be raised without needing pillows, mainly for when I work on pre-natal clients and some medical cases where they can't lay flat and pillows just get in the way.

 

[Ted M P]

colour doesn't matter. size does. (women can never make up their minds, huh?) J/K!! My table is purple or burgandy, something like that.

Mine is 32" and is pretty wide at times.

Do you use a bolster at school? If so, don't for a day or 2. If not, then why not?

I took the double knob option meaning the legs...yes, annoyance.

 

[knz]

Thanks for the replies!

I am short.....5'2 1/2.......so Ill probably go for the middle width.

THe table comes with the deluxe adjustable face cradle. But one of the students at my school was telling me they mistakenly sent her the "caress self adjusting face cradle" w/memory foam... and she loves it. This is it:

http://www.earthlite.com/caressFacecradle.htm

Pretty cool......

At our school we are taught alot of lunges in our body mechanics, so our tables our set lower than alot of schools have you learn on. Im going for the mid range which is 20-30" Ive never set my table lower than 21", so I think itll be just fine.

im so excited.....!

 

[Niofania F]

If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask!!!

Sorry to go off topic - And Mick! You are such a guy!!! Gimme a table... I am manly, I will work on whatever I am given... I don't care if it is pink, or purple, or powder blue... and I will put it on my manly table cart... t019 t079 :beerchug:

 

[BatMan]

DUH!! Double knobs on the legs!! Mine is an Oakworks, they only have one knob. I never did like the double knobs in school, but if I didnt have to adjust them all the time like I did in school... I probably wouldnt mind. In school, I always tried to grab a table with metal legs (no knobs at all) or single knobs.

Double knobs do come in handy in school if you have students who mistreat tables and strip the screws or the bolt in the knob... as long as both on the same leg arent stripped.

 

[cshs1960]

I don't like the rounded corners on my table, when my clients arms are dangling off the sides, they tend to slip forward towards the head of the table. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Mohawk]

Bolsters come in all sizes.....


which one is more useful?

 

[Gudgebobuniob]

Ready to buy a table.....help!

Ok......so I finally decided on an Earthlite Spirit. But would love some feed back on table width, color options, bolsters (do I need one?).

Congratulations on getting ready to make your big purchase! I'll do my best to answer your questions.

Im hoping to have an in home practice.....so I dont plan on lugging my table around but you never know.

I'd suggest starting out with a nice lightweight portable table going into practice, this way you can do outcalls as needed while building up the practice and when you are ready to sink some more money into another table you can decide rather you will purchase a heavy-duty (less portable) or a stationary.

Also...on color, is darker better or does it matter?

I like maroon/burgundy. You can almost always find bolsters and such to match, and it is very forgiving if you do have to make a repair. I think darker is better.

Bolsters.......should I get one?

Yes, you should have a bolster. You never know when you might need it for something. Usually the table package will come with one. I prefer a fluffy bolster. My husband prefers a regular one. I use a very very flat pillow though, for under my clients shins and knees. I place it so that it fits in the crook of the posterior knee, under the bottom sheet, and then when they flip over I rarely have to even re-position it. Same goes when they are face down (I place it under the shins - under the bottom sheet) --- when they turn face up it is in the proper place.

Rounded corners? good or bad?

I don't see a specific need for them.

Double knob option? an annoyance or security?

I like the double knob for the legs and highly recommend it. (I am 5'1 - 1/2" and no problems with the height adjusting with double knobs).

Shiatsu release cables?

I can take or leave these. To be honest, I would prefer not to have them.

and most importantly width......28....30....or 32 ?

I like a 30 width - unless you are tiny and don't like to crawl on the table when working. Personally, I have been known to get up on the table with my clients in order to get more pressure or work a spot specifically. The few extra inches helps give my knees a little better support. A trick of the trade if you want your table to have another inch or two for the client to feel more cozy, but still have soft edges - add a piece of egg crate and cover with a matress pad. This will add an inch plus on either side. And, that's why I take the 30.

Anything else IM forgetting?

Sounds like you have a plan. Don't forget extra face cradle covers!

I agree on the adjustable head-rest. Get it. You won't be sorry.

 

[TonyWithLove]

I have an Earthlite Spirit - 32". It's a great table. I agree with the others who suggested you stay away from the rounded corners & double-knob option. I have the deluxe adjustable face cradle & like it a lot. However, I recommend seeing if you can sample the caress cradle from your fellow student, so you can make an educated choice. Maybe you can do practice massages on each other, using her table?

As for bolsters, I like the half-jumbo & another Massage Therapist I know loves the fluffy bolster. I'd recommend either one.

 

[goo_head_83]

I have heard nothing but good stuff about the Earthlite Spirit. Though haven't known anyone who has purchased the new Spirit LT or LTX models.
I have a 9 year old 30 inch wide mauve Earthlite Avalon... she's been pretty faithful over the years though she gets hauled out to do outcalls every week. I have a matching 6 inch full round bolster (gotta admit it's my favorite size).
I just started working at a new day spa and they purchased tables from Earthlite as well. I believe they bought three 32 inch wide Earthlite Spirit tables. I believe there was some sort of face cradle "upgrade" going on at the time. *shrug* (They did buy a 8 inch fluffy bolster... but IMHO, it's a bit too much for under the knees when supine.)
I have to admit I believe the 30 inch wide is the perfect width for myself. I do tend to have my table just a little lower than is recommended for my height, but that's because I tend to do deeper work.
As for working out of your own home, I'd definitely research that idea among the threads of MassagePlanetL, you may also need to take that up with your local zoning board, landlord, etc. Sometimes it sounds like a great idea, but for some reason it isn't feasible.
So, as others say, I'd consider the fact that you might have to haul it around a bit and therefore you can make it more "plush" by adding a memory foam topper, sheepskin pad, table warmers, and other more "deluxe" touches yourself.
As for colors I'd get the one that appeals to you, as you will have to live with it! As others have said, your clients will rarely see it!

 

[Amay]

One more suggestion. Get the Reiki Endplate table option. Even though I don't do Reiki, I do sit at the head of the table for face & neck massage. Body mechanics are much better without the wood barrier.

Standard Earthlite Endplate:

Reiki Endplate:

 

[[{ !shay! }]]

I'm going to come out and say I prefer rounded corners, but I do temple style lomi lomi, lots of moving around the table, square corners can get in the way, now this is just the rounded corners that are still basically square - I've seen photos of an sort of aval shaped table that didn't really have corners, just rounded ends, that looked like arms could slide off too easily. I just seem to get caught on square corners a bit, probably because I'm used to rounded corners. The model you're looking at comes with rounded corners anyway.

Reiki endpalte is a good idea, particularly since you're not very tall. It may also be worth considering ordering the armrests for the wider clients since they'd probably need to be fitted in the original order, or maybe the armrest bolsters for later, but you can feel the straps across the table.....