The Love Institute

Really enjoyed our experience over here. The instructor was awesome and we signed up for another class too!

This is totally the kind of place you take your honey on your one year anniversary, or maybe your 12^th date because you finally have a good excuse to rub them down without looking like a perv. Whatever your motive is, this is a nice change of pace, and I think a girl would actually really appreciate this over another typical boring outing that ends in something totally predictable.
What’s really cool is that I can apply the massage techniques I learned months later. It really comes in handy when my husband had a bad day at work and I can melt away the headache and neck pain within just a few minutes.

I love the openness of the studio. Great restaurants to visit nearby. Be sure to take Massage 1 and 2 so you can learn the whole massage sequence. Big shout out to all the students and the supporters of such an uplifting concept!

Great people at The Love Lab. Phenomenal customer service.
We had multiple scheduling issues on our end, and they accommodated us at every turn. I could not be happier with our interactions with this company. They offer a great class and I’m in debt to anyone who gives my fiancé advice on providing a great massage. And me too, of course :)

My wife and I did the Groupon for the level 1couples massage class and we really enjoyed both the class and the space. The course fit plenty into 2 hours without feeling too rushed and we both picked up plenty of new techniques for really getting the stress out and strengthening intimacy. It was a much better afternoon than just getting a couples massage. We would definitely recommend this to other couples!

I left this class saying, «Well, it wasn’t terrible…» Not a good sign!
The main issue is that you don’t really learn very much for your $$$. Scratch that — you don’t learn very much in general. The class is too full, the teacher is inexperienced (only two years as a massage therapist) and there are zero assistants. The teacher also covered too much too fast. Most people can only learn 2 – 3 things at once, then they need to practice. She taught more like 8 or 9 things and then had us go back, at which point we’d already forgotten the first 4 things she taught. She did go around and help people, but she didn’t proactively give tips or notice if you were doing something wrong, at least not to us, and we were struggling. And because there were so many couples, that wouldn’t have been feasible even if she had attempted it.
There was also an incident where our teacher was a bit rude to us and her neighbor (someone from the Pilates studio, who was being very nice and helpful to us) when we first arrived. OK, sure, we were 5 minutes early, but it’s 5 minutes and there is a large waiting room! Just seemed ridiculous to make people loiter on the sidewalk and bother the neighbors.
Finally a minor point that they didn’t offer to give us fresh sheets between massages. Now, I know it’s my partner, so it’s generally ok to share sheets, but it was a hot day and the sheets got oily and full of flaky things that came off his feet and his ears, ok? So I’m just saying that it would have been nice to at least have the option. Normally for massages, the therapist is legally required to change the sheets.
I guess this class is good if you just want a casual afternoon activity with your partner. Or maybe if it turns you on to touch your partner in front of a room full of strangers? But if you really want to learn about massage, go elsewhere. (And if it’s awesome, let me know about it!)
UPDATE: Got a call from the owner who said she is addressing some of the issues around the pro-​activeness of the instructor and the overall quality of instruction, so maybe you will find some improvement there. Generally, though, I felt like the owner started and finished the conversation with the belief that I was predisposed to dislike the class and that I would’ve hated it no matter what. I found that a bit insulting and extremely frustrating. I am only updating my review because I know the owner meant well. If you are reading this (and I am pretty sure you are), just take a note that you need to learn how to accept negative feedback without explaining why in extraneous detail. My critiques were valid, you agreed, and all you had to say was «thank you.»

I bought a Groupon to the couples massages class 1 and was quite curious to see how it would go down. I love getting massages but need some serious guidance in giving them. I thought why not go to a class.
The Love Lab promotes a group type setting where you massage your partner in a welcoming environment. They did just this. This particular class was located inside a yoga studio which had a bathroom and changing rooms. I read a lot on their FAQ’s on what to wear, but really just be comfortable. The temperature in the room tends to be on the warmer side, and while massaging your partner you do break a sweat, so I would suggest shorts. You take off your shoes at the door, so don’t worry about which shoes you’ve got on, I even took my socks off halfway through because it got too warm. For women, it’s suggested to wear a bathing suit top. I found it kinda unnecessary, and no one in my class seemed to do it. A tank top works just fine and you can take it off discretely inside the sheet. Do take a bottle of water.
The class was not taught by Meagan… for some reason i got that impression from the website. However our instructor was great and very thorough. You go through a entire hour of massaging your partner. Taking breaks every 10 – 15 minutes to learn about the next technique. You watch on a demo person and then go back and replicate while the instructor tells the instructions again. There isn’t too much of a ‘personal’ aspect to it, because there were 9 other couples in the room, so the instructor can’t give too much one-​on-​one attention. The steps were pretty easy to follow however.
The reason I’m not giving it a 5 star review? I don’t think it lives up to the ‘luxury’ experience that it eludes to on the website. The website says top of the line lotions and oils and included, along with refreshments throughout. Theres a small bottle of lotion (no smell) to use and that’s it. There were no oils or anything else. The sheets are also very minimal and you don’t switch out the face mask part or the sheets in between partners. There was a box of cookies to grab from after the class. Water bottles were $ 1.
Overall it was a great experience and I’m happy I did it. I learned proper techniques I’ll actually use and it was a great date. They also offer the ‘part 2′ of the class for $ 60 which I also signed up for… let’s see how the next one is!

I came here for the couples ‘love lab’ where you learn to give your partner a massage.
Cons: You have to wait outside until exactly 10 min prior to the start of class when the instructor lets you in. Too many people in each class to really get an in depth massage lesson. No dividers or any kind or curtains for privacy.
Pros: Our instructor was really nice and did her best to help each person in the class, but it was difficult because there were about 10 couples in the class I attended.
I don’t think I’d go back for another class.

Whoever thought of the Love Lab is ingenious. I’ve been to multiple couples massage sessions with my partner, and none of them created as much fun or intimacy as this!
The Love Lab is basically a massage class for couples and is very well organized and definitely a fun activity — I would recommend it to any and all couples since its such a great bonding experience.
The class was held at The Pad in SF, a really beautiful and clean yoga studio venue. Inside the class, various massage tables are set up so each couple gets to pick a spot for their massage. For the first hour, one partner gets the massage while the other learns the techniques from the teacher, and then you switch places for the second hour.
Overall, I felt the class was really well organized. The teacher was really friendly and dissipated any and all awkwardness that might have ensued. Her passion for massage and teaching totally shone through. Also, I left with a ton of interesting massage tips that I had never known before, (massage is all about CORECORECORE) and it was amazing that in one session, our teacher turned the BF into a massage pro. No more paying for monthly massages for me!
I removed a star because honestly, the class moved quite quickly, and because there were quite a few couples doing the massage at the same time, we didn’t get a whole lot of individual attention. I wasn’t completely sure if I was doing the right thing half the time, or I would forget the sequences. So I think the Love Lab could definitely work a little bit on that. Secondly, for couples who are a bit shy, getting undressed in a roomful of people with absolutely no privacy can be a little daunting, especially if you’re a girl. So, perhaps it would be good if there was some thought behind making that transition smoother.
Overall I had a ton of fun and I definitely felt it was a super experience to share with my partner. :) Hopefully in the future the Love Lab classes will become more detailed and the teacher will give individual attention to each couple to ensure we learn proper massage techniques.

Quick tips:
1) girls wear a bikini top that unties in the back so your back can be exposed for the massage but you can be covered. Guys wear gym or boxer shorts. Girls can wear shorts. No leg work for intro class.
2) Come early because parking is tough. Meters are 2 hr max and free after 6.
3) they do not open the studio until exactly 10 minutes prior to the class so don’t expect to hang out there beforehand if you are super early.
4) do not be late! They will close and lock the door on time!
5) wear shoes you can take off easily since you will be barefoot inside the studio
6) tip the instructors– cash only.
The hubby and I have been massaging each other for years. Little did we know we’ve been doing it wrong all this time!
This is a really cool activity to do with a significant other, BFF, family member… basically anyone who you care about and don’t mind massaging!
We used a living social coupon which gave us the introductory couples massage. The class is 2 hours and you take turns learning various techniques including back, scalp and foot massage. The first hour I was on the table while the hubby learned the movements and massaged me. The second hour we switched and I learned. Here’s the caveat, if you get messages first, be prepared to say goodbye to your relaxed mood because you’ll have to get up and massage your partner right after!!! The only drawback of this class was that it felt a little rushed for the second half. Perhaps the instructor spent too much time on the first hour answering everyone’s questions.
Keep in mind though that this isn’t a spa retreat for you and your partner. It’s an instructional class so the point isn’t to come out like you just had a treatment. Anyway, we learned some really cool movements that are super easy to do, especially after you learn how to use your body weight instead if just your arms. Great experience, pleasant and patient teachers, and overall clean and comfortable studio. I also have a newly found respect for massage therapists. It’s hard work and taxing on your whole body. Thanks love lab!

For $ 60 through Living Social this was a steal.

Purchased this as a groupon, totally worth the full price though. My husband and I had an amazing time learning real massage techniques and learning how to better help each other unwind and relax.
The class had tables for 12 couples but only ten were there. I recommend you read their website before you go so you get tips on what to wear. We arrived an hour before and found parking on a side street with no meters, as the meters all top out at 2 hours and the class is two hours long. Plenty of cafés within walking distance to grab a drink or bite to eat while you wait.
The reservation process requires a credit card to hold the spot, but don’t let it deter you. We bought our second class before leaving the building. Can’t wait to come back again!

took a couples massage class recently. fun! Learned a lot, great class in a nice space. Of course there’s always one immature person who ruins some of the vibe, but we ignored him. Class started on time, and ended a bit late. Floor could have been cleaner though, sorry!

I purchased a voucher from Amazon Local and took the class with my boyfriend. What an amazing experience! The class is well equipped with a fully setup massage tables for every couple and Meagan goes through every step of massage experience in great detail. Meagan first shows the class the technique on a brave couple in the class and then goes around and makes sure that everyone is following through correctly. I didn’t have much expectation going in but this far exceeded any of my expectations. My boyfriend is usually horrible at giving massages but I guess it was because he never had proper instruction. I highly recommend this class for couples.
Tips: Come early to look for parking. Bring money (cash) to tip the instructor. For the ladies, wear a bathing suit underneath your loose clothes since you will have to go under the table with minimal clothing. Men, wear your nice boxers or whatever you don’t mind being seen in outside your own living room. Also, if you haven’t gotten a pedi in awhile, you might want to get those done before your boyfriend gives you a foot massage.

When scheduling an appointment, be sure to do so in advance and also, you have to give them your credit card. If you don’t reschedule within 48 hours, they charge you the full amount.
First impression, not great due to technical difficulties and lack of support via phone. HOWEVER, the experience was really one of a kind and I would recommend this to all the couples out there who like to try and learn new things (I have already texted my girlfriends about my experience and am persuading them all to join in on the fun)
Meagan was very kind and knowledgable and my boyfriend and I had a great date to last a life time as we can re-​use these skills on each other in the future. Helloooo free massages whenever I want! Of course, we both learned various techniques and Meagan was always there to help you out when needed. We were surrounded by other couples (though on the website it does encourage non-​couple participation also) and I suggest you just relax and enjoy and maybe get to know a few couples. It’s awkward at first being that you are half naked in front of these strangers but no one is looking (the person getting the massage has their face down and the massage giver should be focused on you). I immediately booked another session with her after our session ended.
The ONLY downside is the parking space. PLEASE come early and look for parking as to not hold up the class and get the most out of your experience. (If any of you have been to SF, you know how horrendous parking is… please do not hold up the class!)
To Meagan:
Sorry about the previous review! I was worried I was scammed but got a confirmation email a week before the scheduled date. Also, you are brilliant for inventing this massage class for couples!!! I hope you spread like wild fire but at the same time, I don’t want you booked so far in advanced… Shaun and I are super excited to see you again soon!