Massage Envy Spa Maple Grove

Three possible scenarios: a) you’re sleeping or closing your eyes in joy because it is so relaxing. b) you’re screaming in pain because somebody bony elbow is drilling your tender rump (karma from three word story?) c) you’re wide awake because you didn’t feel anything as he or she barely massages you.
All of those have happened to me at any Massage Envy. In the gyst, it is usually a hit or miss. Once in awhile, you find a great therapist but she or he is always booked, so it’s hard to get an appointment with them without planning ahead. I usually get a massage when I want one, not planning it a month in advance. At times, you’re desperate for one, and you would take any opening. Again, if you’re lucky you’d get scenario a. More than likely you’d get b or c though.
I had some good massages here and that’s why I’m still a member after 5 years. It is affordable, clean, and they are everywhere. You can use your membership anywhere and your pre-​paid carries over to the next month if you didn’t use it. It is a no frills type of massage and when it’s good it’s good but when it’s bad… It sucks. At times, it is just a matter of style preference too. So, it is not always the therapist’s fault but maybe there’s someone who loves bony elbow drilling your ass cheek so hard you almost bite your own tongue. I don’t like it, but the next person might go… oh shit yeah do it to me.
It’s not bad in overall though. If you’re a member, you pay a monthly fee that give you a pre-​paid 1 hour massage, and any additional massage is $ 39/​hour. If not, you pay the non member fee that is still reasonable but nowhere close to $ 39/​hour. They also offer facial and hot stone massage. I never tried the other services, just the massage.
The front desk staff are usually pretty nice and efficient. The waiting room is adequate and they have free tea while you wait. This location is also pretty easy to get in at last minute. Whenever I want one, almost every time they have an opening. After awhile, you just have to keep tab of who are the yays, and who are the nays. Though I know my nays, mine was painful tonight. I wanted some relief from baking fatigue, but what I got instead were elbow marks all over my back side. Damn, that woman needs some cushion on that elbow. If Olivia Benson examined me, she’d call this blunt force trauma.
I lived and I would still go there regularly. It comes with the territory and my experience there has always been ok. Though this one hurt, my therapist meant well and was very nice. It was just that her style was not my cup of tea. That’s all. I’ll live to suffer another massage.

By far the WORST massage I have ever experienced!
I have been receiving regular massages for over fifteen years. Having recently moved to the area, I needed to find a new massage therapist and had recently won a gift certificate (through a local TV promo) for an hour massage at Massage Envy. Upon the first therapist, at another location, was unable to come in to keep appointments, I promptly called the Maple Grove location, explained the situation, and my need to get in ASAP. The young woman on the phone was quite helpful, empathetic, and when I explained my need for deep tissue therapy and although she stated there were no deep tissue specialists available, I was assured Val was able to meet my needs for tension release and tight knots. First off, the room was FREEZING! (When I shared this with the attendants at the front desk upon my departure I was told, «Was the table warmer not on? Thank you for letting us know. We will take care of it right away so it’s fixed for the next person.) If there was a table warmer, I certainly wasn’t one of the benefactors. Val was very sweet, kind, and quite light handed. When I asked for more pressure, what I received was a knobby elbow. If the desired outcome of this session was to knead me like dough, it was successful. Her main massage technique is to use the heels of her palms, not my cup of tea. As another reviewer had previously stated, upon completing one half of the massage, she then slapped from the bottom of my feet all the way up to the top of my shoulders, finishing with karate chops to the trapezoid area. If I would have thought it wouldn’t have completely ruined her day, I would have asked her to step out so I could dress and leave. Then, to top it all off, upon presenting my official «Massage Envy, have an hour on us» gift card, I was told it didn’t cover the tax. By this point I was ready to run out the door, so I paid the tax (even though in the state of MN there is no tax charged for services given for promotional services.)
I would like to say, The reason I am sharing the details of my experience is so that someone doesn’t pay full price for a service which is obviously an acceptable «technique». I was VERY specific with my requests and in expressing my needs, yet this was the match up they encouraged as being a good fit.

Self care is SO important especially in this hustle and bustle world, where time and $ are rare commodities. Massage Envy is the most affordable monthly massage place around town. The breakdown:
Thumbs up:
–Affordable
–Generally clean
–Convenient hours and locations
–Parking typically not a problem
–Friendly staff, sometimes doesn’t seem genuine however not rude
Thumbs down:
–Therapist turn over like socks, if you find someone you like good luck keeping them. I’ve been lucky at this location. Experience at others not so lucky.
–The membership push you will feel it, it’s like a car dealership for massages, but hey they’re just trying to do their jobs, just say no if you don’t want it.
–No couple massages here :(
–Not like the 4, 5 star massage places, but hey you get what you pay for.
–Not a spa
Knead away!

We went there for massages on my birthday because I was all kinds of knotty. I have had many massages in my day and there have been few who have been able to get many of the trouble spots in my back right. Ted was FANTASTIC! He really listened to what I said and he ended up customizing my massage to be just my back and he nailed it!
Yes, I will agree that they’re aggressive with the memberships Fine, whatever, that’s their schtick. BUT, I will say that if you’re able to go and get Ted, you will absolutely not be disappointed. I don’t live in Minnesota, but if I did, I would send friends to see him.
Take it for what it is: a place where you can get a reasonably-​priced good massage that makes a lot of its money selling memberships.

DO NOT sign up for a membership here. We had a year membership for two and used maybe 4 massages each. After many therapists, I finally found one I loved, but she quit after two months. There is such a high turn over rate that it’s impossible to find a good therapist you can stick with. We lost out on $ 900 in unused massages and there is nothing you can do to get the money back. Never again will I go to a Massage Envy. I would rather spend a little extra and go to a regular spa.

Massages are middle of the road. Watch out for the yearly contract. They will convince you that it’s month-​to-​month, which it is, but only after a full year contract.