Can a Male Massage Therapist Be Successful in Alberta?

Is becoming a massage therapist a good career choice for men? Of course it is!

There are more women than men practicing as registered massage therapists in Alberta. And while our registered massage therapy classes in Edmonton and Calgary tend to have more female students than male, men have some unique advantages as registered massage therapists. If you’re a man who is thinking about going to registered massage therapy school, read on to see if becoming a massage therapist is the right choice for you.

Are Male Massage Therapists Successful?

Many male registered massage therapists have fruitful and fulfilling careers. Massage therapy is a satisfying job, full of human connection and a feeling of helpfulness. Furthermore, more males are entering the industry and getting cool jobs in sports rehabilitation and other male-dominated industries. Men who pursue this career path often find they are in high demand.

Although massage therapy has traditionally been a more popular career choice for women, like many occupations, more men are entering the field. With work being indoors, in a relaxing environment, and with flexible hours, it’s an attractive career choice, especially when jobs in some trades have been sporadic or on the decline.

Whenever a profession is dominated by one gender, it means those of the other gender can find a specific niche and need for their skillset within the industry. As a male massage therapist, you have unique abilities. Let’s look at some advantages of being a male massage therapist, and some suggestions for how to succeed.

Advantages for Male Massage Therapists

Strength

The biggest advantage a male registered massage therapist has is strength. With larger hands and more muscle than many female registered massage therapists, you’re able to perform deep tissue massages. Some clients often prefer a male massage therapist when they need the extra strength to work through extra tight muscles.

This strength also makes you more qualified to work in the sports industry, and in more clinical massage environments. In fact, registered massage therapists (RMT) working in sports medicine is a popular path for many male massage therapists. 

In both of these instances, clients aren’t just looking to relax with a Swedish massage. They are looking for a massage to help with speedy recovery and real healing. Their performance depends on their body being ready to work. Strength and being able to provide the needed heavier pressure can be advantages in these situations.

A Complementary Background

Many male massage therapists come from a fitness background or have other health related experience. If you already work as a personal trainer, coach, nutritionist, or a similar role, massage therapy is a great addition to your skillset. Not only can you help clients develop an active lifestyle, you can help them recover and heal.

Massage therapy training sets you apart from other health professionals. Whether you want to add new services to your own business with massage therapy or make yourself more marketable for a variety of jobs in the health and nutrition industry, getting certified as a massage therapist can offer you a leg up in your career.

Tips to Succeeding as a Male Massage Therapist

Regardless of what type of massage therapy you end up doing, be it athletic, clinical, spa, etc. these tips will help you find more success as a male registered massage therapist.

Get Professional Massage Therapist Training

Becoming a licensed, registered massage therapist from an accredited program will signal to your clients that you are a professional who knows proper techniques. It also allows you to provide receipts for your clients to use for their insurance and health benefits claims.

Be Sensitive to Your Clients

Recognize that your clients, both male and female, may be uncertain about having a male massage therapist. Prioritize their comfort, including giving them space to change and prepare for the massage, and communicating together to understand your service and their expectations.

Start Your Massage Therapist Career

At the end of the day, both men and women can have successful careers as massage therapists. At MaKami College, students receive the highest level of massage training in Alberta with our 2-year, 3,000-hour Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy (ACMT) program. Massage therapy students at our Calgary and Edmonton campuses learn the personal skills, technical ability, and business know-how to have a long, successful career as a registered massage therapist.

If becoming a male massage therapist may be the right career choice for you, learn more about our ACMT program and get pre-approved today!