Equipment

Without the proper equipment, a massage is like playing tennis without a tennis racket. Here's our advice on what you need to be a sought-after massage partner:

Massage Table

• Ergonomics and posture: Doing a massage on a low bed or couch forces you to bend over, which causes back and wrist strain. An adjustable table lets you set the proper height.
• Better access: A dedicated table lets you walk all the way around the person, making it easier to use proper angles and leverage.
• Comfort and mood: A proper face cradle, clean linens, and, optionally, a supportive bolster, make the experience much more comfortable for the recipient.

As a backup, a floor futon or bed may do in a pinch. But aching backs may be the result. Consider a table. Amazon has some great prices, as low as $59.

Massage Oil

Many sources, including Amazon, offer proper massage oil, lotion, and gels. Tips:

• Make sure your oil is fresh. Oil becomes stale and rancid smelling after a while – some blends can spoil in as little as 3-6 months at room temperature. If the oil develops a sharp, sour, stale, or "off" odor – often smelling like old crayons, stale nuts, or paint, or become cloudy or thick, discard it.
• We recommend floral scented oil rather than fruit scented. Fruit scents may make the receiver hungry!
• Unscented oil is always a safe bet. Frequent massage givers often have both scented and unscented oil on hand, offering the receiver a choice.
• Avoid Mineral Oil, Baby Oil, and allergy prone Peanut Oil.

Massage Sheets & Detergent

If you've purchased a table, make sure you have plenty of fitted massages sheets and face cradle covers. For washing, massage supply houses sell specialized detergent such as TheraPro™ for cleaning the oil from massage sheets. Other enzyme-based laundry detergents may also be satisfactory. Tip: wash right after use. Don't let them linger in a hamper and let the oil harden.

Space Heater

Your receiver will often be naked. A warm room means a happy recipient. Tip: In a warm room, the massage giver should wear light clothing to avoid getting over heated.

Music

A music source to play soft music is usually welcome. Tip: Most streaming services now have a Massage Music category.

Searching

Members with the most detail in their commentary are likely the members who would be the most responsive. When you contact those members, be sufficiently detailed yourself in your e-mail. Make sure you include enough information so that the recipient can get to know you. If you're inexperienced, that's OK; just say say. Experienced members often welcome new members and enjoy sharing their experience. Similarly, if you're an experienced massage professional, please be welcoming to our less experienced members.

Arranging a Meeting

Always exchange a few e-mails before disclosing your personal details. After arranging an exchange, make sure you exchange mobile phone numbers in case there are last minute problems.

Many members prefer to meet beforehand, at, say, a coffee shop to talk first. That's up to you both. Please be sensitive to your new friend's wishes if they wish to do so.

Meeting

Never turn into a "no-show". If you have a last minute issue, call the member! Otherwise you may end up with a bad review on our site.

When your exchange partner arrives, if for whatever reason you feel uncomfortable, it is within your right to decline the exchange. Please do so politely.

Prepare Your Massage Session

Create a great massage exchange atmosphere:

• Make sure the room is sufficiently warm. Since you're normally unclothed, the massage room should be several degrees above normal room temperature.
• Make sure the room is clean and uncluttered
• Have a place where your partner may place their clothes and jewelry. A tray or bowl for rings/watches, etc is a nice touch.
• Make sure you have sufficient supplies on hand: clean massage sheets, sufficient massage oil for both parties, small towels to clean your hands.
• Offering your friend your shower before and/or after the massage is often very welcome.
• Pay attention to your personal hygiene. You may wish to shower before-hand if you've had an active day. A warm shower feels great before a massage as it releases the muscles.
• Turn off all phones and other distractions.
• Make sure you've allocated adequate time for sharing. A massage session is usually one hour per person, so that means at least 2 hours. No-one likes to be rushed or short-changed of their time.
• Do you have soft music you can play in the background? That would be great!
• Lighting should be subdued, but not dark.
• Have water on hand. Massage releases toxins from the muscles and drinking plenty of water is recommended after the massage.
• When applying oil, place the oil in your hands first to warm it up, then on the partner.

Code of Conduct

• Discuss what will be done before you start.
• Leave a drape on the massage table, and leave the room while receiver disrobes.
• Receiver should disrobe to their comfort level. Leave underwear on if desired.
• If a drape is used, discuss if covered areas should be skipped or massaged. If receiver wishes covered parts massaged, uncover those parts while massaging and re-cover when section is done.
• For Therapeutic massage, genitals, anus, and breasts for woman, are usually not massaged. Clarify what is, and is not, OK before you begin.
• For Sensual massage, discuss what can or cannot be touched prior to your session.
• Ask for verbal feedback throughout the session, and respect your partners requests and limits.
• Always be courteous and caring.
• It is always OK for either party to stop a session for whatever reason.

After your Session

We encourage all members to share a review of their session with our other members. Click the review button on your partner's profile to do so. The review process keeps our members apprised of our members and also acts as a safety net for the rare (fortunately) poor attitude or no-show.