Massage Envy Spa

I normally go to individually run Massage Therapists, but I thought I would try out Massage Envy.
When I got there it took a couple of minutes for the receptionist to notice me. I was also told over and over to be on time and even 15 minutes early to do paperwork. Yet, I was not taken into my room in a timely fashion. I was told I would receive a heated blanket. My therapist forgot to put it on until I said something.
I asked for low to medium pressure and felt like I received nothing. Light pressure is not «No pressure.» It is light pressure. I do not feel like this massage was even in the top 5 of massages. I kept asking for more pressure.
I understand they have to offer future massages but the formerly inattentive receptionist would not stop trying to sell us. I just wanted to pay for my massage and leave.
I doubt I will go back.

If you like to hear, «We are booked» in an unpleasant and dismissive tone, then Massage Envy is for you. It has been months since I have been able to get an appointment within the same day or the following day with any therapist. I agree with the other reviewers that some of the massage therapists are horrible and reek of cigarette smoke. I had three therapists who would not shut the hell up during the massage even though I politely just answered their questions and didn’t try to engage in conversation. I get a massage to relax and escape from my job, not to discuss it or worse, their job!
There are two positive aspects of this company. There is an excellent massage therapist (Charles) who doesn’t apparently smoke, gives a great massage, and is very nice. If you are stuck in a contract with Massage Envy, work with him.
The other positive is that there was a very friendly front desk person that I believe may have been promoted to manager. Unfortunately, his friendliness has not extended to who is at the front desk most days. The employees who answer the phone or greet you seem to have had the life sucked out of them. Are the customers so bad that you are THIS miserable? I doubt it. I wish someone could tell them that a smile goes a long way.
In any event, if you can look pass the front desk people and are willing to schedule enough days in advance with Charles, then I can recommend it, but absent those two considerations, you would do much better to save your money or spend it on a more professional establishment.
Incidentally, Massage Envy has recently been purchased by new owners (about September of 2014), but there has been no noticeable difference. I know that they have been bought out because my massage therapist wouldn’t shut up about it during my massage.

Not very big, or fancy place. The pricing is totally designed for their membership program. It’s set up like this: $ 49 intro rate, then $ 59 a month for one massage, and a discounted rate if you get another one. If you don’t join and go back, its $ 98. This place is not a $ 98 massage place, the location, design or staff. Now, there could be some good therapists on staff who only want to massage part time, which is why they work there, but most are not worth $ 98 an hour. The most I have ever paid for a massage was $ 80 and included a spa treatment, and was a heck of a lot nicer than Massage Envy!
It’s very weird to have a front desk person so involved in the experience, but it’s because they are there to sell you the membership, and some can be really persistent. I guess if you travel a lot and always want a place for a massage, Massage Envy could work for you. They have evening and weekend hours which is great, but. .. that’s about it.
My own massage here wasn’t that great, and it wasn’t even a full hour, it was 50 minutes. I asked for a full body and she didn’t even touch most of the front of my body. I tipped — the signs about it everywhere are tacky — but I wish I hadn’t. I also wish I had spoken up and said it was a terrible massage, but I just wanted to be out of there.
Insider info says they only care about getting membership; they hope you’ll sign up, pay, and not come in, because either way, they get your money.
I won’t be going back to Massage Envy, there are far better spas in Madison and surrounding areas. The lower price is part of their selling point, but when it’s your body and you want to relax, trust me its worth spending more and investing in a good/​better/​best massage experience.

I was Leary about going here after reading the review. Don’t normally write reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised! They were AWESOME!
Front desk help was so friendly and the environment was very neat and smelled clean. Relaxed environment and inviting for my massage. My therapist was very nice and the massage was great! So relaxing and I loved the aroma therapy.
Not sure what one review was talking about the strip mall area being bad??? I the building seemed brand new and parking lot was safe.
I would recommend to anyone.

My first massage that I had there I thought was pretty good, I decided to become a member therefore was locked in with them for 12 months. The next couple of massages were not enjoyable at all. They were late for my appointment, therefore my massage time was cut short. I finally found a therapist that I liked, but then she quit after a few months I was there. My last massage was awful, the therapist was rough and she reeked like cigarette smoke. My membership was done on November 2013, I was in there for a massage and notified the person at the front desk that I would like to cancel my membership (must give a 30 day notice). She told me that I would receive some kind of e-​mail from the manager and to look out for it (never received anything). I was told my last bill would be the beginning of December. I found that I was billed in January. I contacted the office and was told they had «no record» of me giving notice. I was NEVER told that I had to give them something in writing, nor did the lady at the front desk ask for this when I told her I wanted to cancel — I would have done it, I was right there. The manager calls me and tells me that I need to provide something in writing, I immediately e-​mailed her with the request. She responded stating that she would e-​mail me back some paperwork to sign, promised me it that day. NEVER received it.
Not only am I not getting my money back for being charged in January, I can’t even get the paperwork to cancel. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. Would NEVER recommend this business to anyone.

was not impressed at all! I have had many massages and this one was by far the worst I almost felt like I had walked in to a clinic, Heres your paperwork fill it out and we will be with you shortly, In fact its even set up like a clinic all together. My massage was not great it was very basic like someone just learning in school. I didnt even feel relaxed not to mention the ladys hands were ice cold and she stopped every minute to pump more lotion out of her fanny pack that also was rubbing against my head at certain point. why they dont use massage oils kind of boggles my mind. I gave her the benefit of the doubt though thinking maybe she has just got done with school but her license said 2007! its 2013! I also dont like they have what is expectede to tip posted everywhere. I work for tips for a living myself tips are based on customer service and your experience. Very unproffesional to me. Then when I went to pay I get this long sales speech… I really dont want to hear it then they throw it out there if you ever try to go to any massage envy it will be $ 98 you will not recieve any discounts. Well dont worry I will never be returning or tell anyone to go here. I was looking for somewhere closer to my house than I usually drive but you guys have me convinced the 20 minute drive is worth it!

I have found that Angela, and Robin, are the only ones I have found to do an Excellent treatment More Medical Massage. I book appts weekly, as I have a terminal illness, and with out the deep tissue and good work from these gals – I would of been in a Nursing home by now! $ 39.00 each massage with a $ 49.00 1 time massage fee as a member – Is WAY FAR better then paying $ 85.00 for a Swanky – Afraid to walk across the room Place that has the same environment –Well as previously put – . I LOVE MAssage ENVY – I am not there for Politics aspect, Just for RELIEF! ENJOY . – Oh and CHIPOLTE’ Rocks as well – Along with the Vitamin Shoppe – Again the strip mall is all around Perfectly set back off of East washington – yet easy to get to – & Is less then 3 years OLD!

I usually don’t take time to ‘review’ any establishment… unless I have a horrible experience. I have to say, though, since I noticed a couple negative comments, that I think Massage Envy is awesome! I was a member for over a year and ONLY left because I currently can’t afford it. I had only good, great and amazing therapists there. (This is East side Madison I’m talking about) There was never a bad smell (and let me tell you, I’m VERY sensitive to bad smells), everyone was completely courteous and had my best interest in mind. I have serious back issues myself and the staff listens and understands my issues and works around them or works to help them. If I could afford massages, I would stay there indefinitely. And, frankly, if you think its not swanky enough, go down the street and pay $ 120 instead of $ 50 here. It is WELL worth the price!

Ok its not a fancy palm springs scottsdale santa monica spa, but hell it does the trick. They always take same day appointments and they do the trick. The staff is nice and dont make you uncomfortable … Its ashame it has a negative review. It’s not your total spa experience but still, its not dingy or dark. and its not in a creepy strip mall, its right next to the chipotle, the property is still new and good shape… Anyhow I was relaxed after my massage. I love that they are open late, and they are 49 bucks plus tip…

The massage I got here was really terrible. My therapist stank of cigarette smoke and as he was touching me I could feel how exhausted and sick of things he was. It’s amazing how you can communicate how much you hate your job through touch alone.
As it turns out they really give their employees the runaround here, with very high turnover rates due to dissatisfaction with working environment. It’s a massage mill, located in a dingy and creepy strip mall. It made me nervous being there at night.
Also they try to trap you by making you buy «packages» and all but forcing you to become a «member» (read: pay a lot more in the long run). The very low price per massage is basically a scam. The employee loses by cutting into his/​her tips with supposedly bargain basement prices that mean they work for very little in the end, the customer loses because they get a crappy massage, and the company wins because they pocket the cash from each terrible experience. Their repeat clientele are doubtless those who simply don’t know any better or who have never had a massage from someone who is really caring and enjoys their work.
For me, it’s worth it to pay more for a single massage I know I’ll enjoy than it is to pay a little bit for a poor one. There is something about being touched by an angry employee that makes you want to go anyplace but Massage Envy to relax.

The best place to go if you are trying out for the first time. The first visit is only $ 39 plus tip. If you like after first try, they will ask you to join their 6 month membership for $ 49 plus tip. They weren’t so busy when I first started going there but now they had gotten busy so you need at least 2 – 3 days to book an appointment. The nice thing is they even open late 10pm.