Massage tables are the devil

[midwestboi]

So I'm seriously shopping for massage tables and... been able to find at least one thing I really don't like about each manufacturer I've looked at.Custom Craftworks has small evil little knobs and chintzy looking face cradle holes... Earthlite I've heard quite a bit of negative feedback about... plus they're responsible for buying LEC. Oakworks seems pretty nice, but their cradles are too hard for me to adjust and I hear the teeth on 'em can wear out.I don't like any of the closures--velcro wears out, the little buckles one has to remember to close or risk being snagged on, plus they get bent when using the table on the floor for shiatsu. Oakworks is the least evil, although I still don't like it.I'm currently looking at Golden Ratio's website... haven't seen any of these in person. I'm really hesitant to buy a table without seeing it first. Anyone have this problem?

 

[dwbaldeagle]

Massage tables are the devil

Sorry you're having such a time of it...Sight unseen can be so frustrating--that whole leap of faith thing is tough sometimes!Just wanted to put in a good word for the Golden Ratio. I've had mine going on 8 years now and I love it. I've tried a few other tables (stronglite, earthlite and some off brand I've never heard of) and I am still partial to mine. The face cradle is substantial and very easy to operate...everything folds up and folds out very easily and the table is as stable as stable gets. I love mine--sure you would too!Good luck!Lanie

 

[richard w]

I've been pretty happy with my Oakworks.  I love the face cradle though I do have to say that it squeaks when I lower it, no matter what I do.  So I just pull it out instead, solved that problem.The closure on mine is a snap to use (I have the Wellspring).  Just a little lever that hooks on the inside, never had a problem with it.I've never used a Custom Craftworks so I can't comment on it but I have used and Earthlite and didn't care for it.  I also have an Earthlite chair and I hate it.  I've only used a Golden Ratio chair but I have to say I loved it, very sturdy and easy to use.Good luck making your decision, it's a big one!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Massage tables are the devil

Thanks for the encouragement, vibes, and details Any idea what this Golden Ratio "centerlock and powerstrut" stuff is about?

 

[XlenaX]

Ego-Magician,     I have a custom craftworks.  I like it okay. Got it from school.  It's what they order.  It's very heavy though.  Not good for outcalls.  Mine is only a couple years old and already squeaking.       I bought a Golden Ratio 8-9 years ago for energy work.  It's not to be used with deep massage.  It's not as strong as the table they are selling now.  I'd love to get one and that is what I'm going to get eventually.  I don't know much about the centerlock.  Have you called Golden Ratio?  They are very friendly.  But then I'm prejudiced.  I love Montana and the people there.  Some of their tables are really nice.  You can get hi-low end plates........for those of us that do energy work or craniosacral.  Also, there are no cables to get your legs tangled into.  So if you're on your stool you would be able to put your legs under the table, all the way around because of the centerlock and no cables.  I would call them.  They are very helpful.  Also, check out their website.  They have some seconds that they sell.  Good luck.  Oh........I love the face cradle on my old Golden Ratio....alot more than the Custom Craftworks face cradle.

 

[wesley g]

Hi.I have a Stronglite or two or three. آ *chuckles*My only complaint with it is the face cradle could be more cush like the Oakworks or Golden Ratio and they'd have the best table out there. آ You're right. آ No one seems to have got all of it together.I have worked on a Golden Ratio and I was seriously looking at it as my table of choice when getting out of school. آ I ended up with the Stronglite due to a great deal with a guy who is not supplying them anymore and because a friend bought one. آ Had she not purchased it, I'd probably have gone with GR. آ I did not know you couldn't do deep work on them though (as someone mentioned above). آ I am betting they have a table for deeper work by now... or so I hope!If I recall, my only beef with GR was that it was pretty dad-gum heavy. آ But then, so are the tables I have now... hmmmm.I've also worked on the Oakworks, and it is true, their face cradle units do break down, crunch together and get all stick after a while. آ At least on the ones I worked with, if I am recalling correctly -- the plastic cradles with the double adjust -- all plastic-y. آ But, I guess you can just buy an new cradle every few years. آ What I am curious to know about is if anyone has any experience with GR's hydrolic table.  MMMM.  That makes me very interested.  Or other hydrolics for that matter.  Maybe I'll have to start a thread.  

 

[Ad astra]

Massage tables are the devil

GREAT IDEA and thanks. I just emailed three companies asking them if they're interested in sending reps to Heartwood.In the meantime, questions:Those who love GoldenRatio or Stronglite (or others), what exactly is it that makes you prefer their tables/company?Face cradle questions: *how* do you adjust the GR and Stronglite cradles? Does the GR cradle use a push-button type mechanism? Stronglite's looks like another "flip out the lever, adjust, flip back in" mechanism... but maybe it uses cams instead of teeth?Anyone who's tried both, which did you like better and why? If you've used an Oakworks cradle, compare to that too if you would Sigh. So far I want Oakworks upholstery with some other face cradle (as yet undertermined) on a table body that seemingly doesn't exist. ;-)

 

[VanillaIce]

I have 2 Golden Ratio tables.  My first is a 11 year old Nautilus and the second is 2 year old Maxim Lite.  I am very impressed with these two tables.  The Nautilus is my travel table and still is as stable as it was when I bought it.  As far as the face cradles both of mine are the Crescent Tilt.  My massage chair is also a Golden Ratio and it has the Quicktouch face cradle.  I personally like the Crescent cradles better.  I hope this helps.  If you have any other questions let me know

 

[Madeleine *Bambi Eyes* <3]

Massage tables are the devil

Cool, thanks... if you could give me a bit more detail on the difference in operation between the QuickTouch and the Crescent, that would be very helpful.

 

[Brandon Lee]

Massage tables are the devil

In the meantime, questions:

Those who love GoldenRatio or Stronglite (or others), what exactly is it that makes you prefer their tables/company?

Face cradle questions: *how* do you adjust the GR and Stronglite cradles? ... Stronglite's looks like another "flip out the lever, adjust, flip back in" mechanism... but maybe it uses cams instead of teeth?

EgoMajickian,

Here are a few other thoughts in addition to what I said earlier and to give more input on teh Stronglite.

As for "preferring" the company.... hmmm.. they have always been "nice".  

For the table itself... I really loved my portable I got from them years ago and that was what made me want the regular tables.  I'd definitely say the tables they are making now are better than the ones from about 5 years ago (in the regular form -- can't say on the portable -- I don't even know if they have the portable I purchased years ago... it has wodden legs, great weight and overall fantastic).  I ordered a second "regular" one last year, and it seemed to have better plastic regiond for where the face cradle enters, the knobs seemed even a bit srtonger than before, and it just felt even more sturdy... and my original "regular one" was/is fantastic.

I have the dual action face cradle.  Nothing wrong with it at all, it is just that I really like those cushier cradles -- which I keep hoping they will make as an addition someday (like what you see with GR or some of the others).  I have since added the memory foam cradle on the "board" and that makes me pretty happy.

The dual action does have teeth type things, that lock, with a lock on the side, so what you do is flip the lever, pull the cradle to where you want it to be (up, down, tilted, hig, low) in one pretty simple maneuver (at least for me) and lock the lever -- bingo... done.

It doesn't seem to be getting old, non-functional or wearing so far.

Hope that helps.  

 

[Rli R]

Massage tables are the devil

About the face cradles...The GR has the quick touch...it's a push button mechanism and very simple to use. It adjusts in 2 places-I only use the 'drop down' adjustment most days. The other point stays put. I have used it for 8 years and it hasn't worn out yet.The stronglite...just had some experience with this 2 weeks ago. My partner has a stronglite and I was using her table for a week or so. I liked the table ok but I really don't like the face cradle. She has only had the table for a little over a year and we have been having problems with it for 3 months now. The teeth mechanism was just giving out. I think it may be from people pushing up on the cradle to get off the table? I really don't know. All I do know is that I was adjusting it and the handle fell off in my hand. Luckily it was at the end of a session...I'm partial to the GR as you can tell. Love it!Oh, and about the table being strong enough for deep work--mine certainly is. I've never had a stability problem or a squeek. The stronglite is sturdy as well...

 

[crazyb117]

Just to clarify what I said in previous post about my GR table not being strong enough for deep tissue work.  I purchased the table for energy work/craniosacral.  It was not as strong for massage/etc.  I did, however, take it to class to do light massage......because it is a lighter table.  And yes, they make strong tables.  It's just that I purchased mine for energy work/reiki.I have the face cradle on that table........it's like a previous post said....push buttons.  It's been around for 8-9 years and still looks like new.  I love it.  It's a lot easier to use than the one on my Custom Craftworks table.  Has anyone seen the ad in the latest Massage and Bodywork magazine?  They have a new face cradle.  It's called Boiance.  It's a floating support (whatever that means).  Checked out the website and still not open yet.  

 

[The Only Logical Solution]

A solution would be for you to make your own table, that way you could integrate all the features that you like and leave out all the things you don't like.  While in school, I built a table.  After school I bought an Earthlight, and really like it.  Now I use the home built massage table for my tablesaw.  I did have to modify it a bit.  mick

 

[crunchy hannah]

I found Oakworks customer service to be top notch! آ I did have a face cradle start to slip, but they sent me a new one within a month (and I live in Canada). آ I also repaired the failed one myself, by just adding a very thin washer to give those teeth more bite. آ The ultra soft oakworks face cradle pad is the best one I've seen also.  The double adjust feature of the oakworks face cradle support is one of the reasons I like it.  It takes a little to learn how to adjust it, but once you do, you won't find one with more positions for client comfort.My oakworks advanta table has worked very well for me for about 5 years now, but it is my portable one. آ I use a stationary table with an electric lift at my clinic, saves my back!I have heard good things about golden ratio, but I've never used one. آ Oh yeah, I am very happy that my electric lift table accepts the oakworks face cradle.

 

[marion.ofsherwood]

I've got an Athlegen - http://www.athlegen.com/ A supa light weight, with upgraded foam and face cradle.  I've had it for about 8 years now, use it outcalls and clinic. Still almost looks new.  It's and aluminium frame,which I know some people don't like bacause of the energy aspect, but I tried a wooden table and it was just too heavy compared to the metal.  The face cradle is fantastic, not a single problem with it in all this time. Athlegen are used by the Australian Olympic therapists. They're pretty well about the only electric table you see with chiropractors and osteopaths in Australia. I keep thinking I want to get an electric one, but just can't justify it with the portable still working so well.Athlengen, only velcro is holding the cushion on the face cradle and the table face hole plug, not had any trouble with it wearing out.  Closure is a press stud, and all I've had to do it tighten the screw where it is attached.

 

[Corrie]

I love my Oakworks table.  I've had it since 1991 and have never had any problems with the table or the face cradle.  I replaced the crescent shaped face cushion with a memory foam face cushion in just the past few months, otherwise it is stock and still in great shape.  I wonder if the reason people have problems with stripping the teeth on the adjustments is because they don't fully release the lever before moving it into other positions.  The other reason they might strip is if a client uses the face cradle to push themselves up -- though on the occasion that has happened my face cradle never faltered -- that's much more of a load then they are designed to handle.  LOL

 

[Kuwaiti_Jutt]

Massage tables are the devil

I understand Stronglite's face cradles have been undergoing a little re-design work. You could call Stronglite and talk to Jerry about that...

I love my Stronglite (premier model). I used Oakworks table, Athena (by Custom Craftworks) and Robert Hunter all through school.

Robert Hunter is really stylish, but if you are using Indirect Myofascial techniques, or Asian bodywork, beware because they are super-squeaky. Their locking pins are very secure too, but it is easy to get it wrong, then the table WILL break in the middle. This is a big design flaw IMO. Once you know how to set it up properly, it's never an issue again, but don't ever loan your table, or let someone else set it for you.

I liked the Athena table alot, very easy to set up. I don't like the face cradle though, not enough flexibility in positioning. Also, their holes in the leg adjustment are set too far apart, so if you're picky, you might not be able to get exactly the right table height. Stronglite has the same issue, but lucky for me, their holes match my height.

One of the things I love about my Stronglite is that it's designed to take a lot of motion. It hardly ever makes a sound, and I practice Shiatsu. There is nothing more irritating than hearing *squeak*squeak*squeak*squeak* as you're rocking someone.

The face cradle is double action, which is nice. It could be a little more firm in the end holes, but it's still very stable. I also wish the pad on top was a little more plush, I'm thinking of getting a Kur overlay.

All of these tables though, are too heavy for outcall, IMO. They may be called "portables," but only insofar as you can get them in a regular vehicle.

Are you going to tell us what you settled on? ;D

Breathe, thanks soooo much for all the info on these tables.  There is a Robert Hunter thread in the Business section somewhere, and I think it would be nice if you'd be willing to quote your info about the tables there too, just in case someone runs across it sometime.

I too have a Stronglite and wanted to give you a some info in case yours is older.  My husband purchased one in 2004 and it came with reinforced holes for the face cradle.  The reinforcements are reallllllllly nice.  I was saying to him... "Hey, I think I want your table instead of mine.

As for the leg holes, you are right, I never realized that.  They ARE set a little further apart.  Granted, I work with the table somewhat low, so it is not much of a problem, but when I got out of school, I never could quite figure why it didn't feel like the other table I had worked on.  Now I know!  

Lastly, for the extra padding, and once again, you are right about wishing it was just a teensy bit more cush, I have two egg crates on mine, with a fitted sheet over that -- next a matress pad I purchased at Sam's on top of that -- and a table warmer over the matress pad.  It is a wonderful combination and didn't cost much.  Hope it helps!  It is also a nice combination, because when I want to pull everything off, I can do it with one pull of each corner and store it away (folded three times) until I want to put the whole combination back on the table.

Oh, and I'll be calling them to find out about this new face cradle.... hope it is coming out soon!

Thanks again for the long post.... very insightful!  

 

[the tot]

Massage tables are the devil

When (IF?) I decide on a table, I'll certainly let you folks know what I get!In the meantime, what I'm thinking about getting is an eye exam. There's something I'm missing because it seems like the tables from companies that people rave about all look... well, not so good... to me. Golden Ratio is a good example. I hope no one out there who owns one takes this personally, but the "luggage handle" they use doesn't work for me. Actually, I want to hear from people on this. Am I the only one? That luggag handle looks seriously wrong to me. Living Earths Crafts. I've seen one. People ooh'd and ahh'd. It had this look and feel that I felt seriously unhappy about.Same with the photos on the Robert Hunter site. Maybe I have a serious inability to appreciate woodworking or craftsmanship or something?I'll tell you, the newest Oakworks table I've seen (and I think it's a couple years old) looks really slick. And yet I feel so resistant to buying an Oakworks. Why won't Apple design a massage table? ;-)

 

[snowlilly23]

Massage tables are the devil

Hah. You wish!Tangerine? Colors are so 2001. ;-)If Apple designed a table, they'd probably only make aluminum ones... although they'd be nothing like any aluminum table on the market. They'd have hired some crazy engineers to redesign them, the legs would be silver, white and gray upholstery only, there'd be no cables, the handles would be integrated and hide when not in use, and they'd probably have a magnetic closure--no getting pressed into the floor and bending while using the shiatsu option!Nice, now I have something to dream about ;-)

 

[Tiff-Any]

Massage tables are the devil

I have a 2003(?) model Stronglite.... What I mean about the slide on the face cradle is it seems that it's not completely tight in the holes.
...The redesign I'm referring to, (and it may be just a rumor,) is to a couple of the softer plastic parts, and I'm not sure what it entails or if it has already been done.

It's only the face cradle. It's a touch too firm, IMO. It needs to be softer,

I'll look for the Robert Hunter thread. Haven't seen it yet, but I wasn't looking.

For the work I do, I couldn't be happier with the Stronglite, although if I were doing a lot of specific woman oriented and pregnancy work, I would consider the CCW Athena as it is a little softer all around, and has the breast recesses. The Athena has a pretty slick closure with the velcro strap. Very secure, no buckles and soooo easy.

BTW, there's a table day coming up this next Saturday...

Stacey/Breathe Bodywork

Thanks for adding the year of your table.  Important for me to know if I ever purchase another from an individual.  For me, my old one was purchased in something like 1999 or 2000.  No reinforced holds, but never had a problem with sloppy fit in either the headrest or foot extension.  Husbands has the plastic do-dads (reinforcements) which look like they are strong, and also has no problem with play for the headrest or foot extension.  So it sounds like when they first put them in, there was a construction problem of some sort.  Very useful information.

Also, I really don't like the newer portable stronglite has, with the aluminum legs.  It is probably ultra sturdy and very light, but I don't like the look of aluminum legs.  I have a Premier Lite (I guess), which was the older version of their portable table with wooden legs (Purchased 1999 or 2000).  It is probably somewhere around 27 lbs.  Verrrrrrrry nice.  I love that table.  I have considered purchasing another if I ever find one, just due to the fact that stronglite is no longer making it and it is a real charm for outcalls.  I really never worry if it will hold someone or not, and with outcalls, you never know what you are going to get (hotel work) in human size/weight.

Ditto on the face cradle.  I have actually sent an e-mail to Stronglite asking if they are going to consider doing something to make it better.  I am waiting for a reply and hope one comes soon.  Until then, I have used a memory foam cradle, and recently stuffed a memory foam cradle into the face cradle leather crescent.  I think the actual leather, in the way the crescent is sewn may be the reason it is a sconch on the harder side, because the memory foam didn't soften it up like I had expected it would.  But, I don't dislike the cradle either.  I just wish it were a tad more cushy.  I am into a cushy face cradle!  

Robert Hunter thread: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=163

Table Day would be at what school and what city/state? I am sure there are people out there who would like to know about this.  Our school never offered such.  Can you giev the info as to when they usually have it in the year?  It may be a perk for some people in your area.  I know I would go, even being out of school for a number of years, just to check out what is there, if I were in town!  

Love these boards!