Men Speak on Spas for Men

Talk to anyone about the word “spa,” and it can immediately spark thoughts of relaxing services that heal and restore the body, mind and soul, and the heart at times too. The mention of the word “spa” in conversation brings about ooh’s and ahh’s as individuals recall their memorable spa experiences. Just thinking about it reminds that it may be time for another visit. 

Now add a couple more words, “spas for men,” and people’s reactions sometimes change. Spas for men form a new segment of the spa-service industry aiming to meet the skin care needs of males and to address needs brought by their active and high stress lifestyles. To find out just how men feel about special spa services created just for them, we went around Beijing seeking feedback from men who enjoy this aspect of the good life. 

“Say that again?”, “What?”, “Humm…spas…for men?” were the initial puzzled and pensive reactions I received from most of the men I approached with questions about this new service segment. However, after spending more time talking to some men, I found that men like the idea of spas and the restorative results of a spa visit, just as much as women do. I was more amused by the facial expressions of the men than their actual responses to my questions. Men are commonly known as thinkers, but to questions regarding spa services, men really had to pause for a moment and delve into their feelings about their grooming and relaxation needs. While some people get tense when strangers touch their heads, faces, and bodies, I found most men were not averse to the idea of having services just for them. Most men I talked with simply did not know that there were spas here ready to serve them. 

Overall, the men I interviewed do support products that do not make them smell like flowers upon leaving the spa. Privacy and spas that understand the special needs of men, knowing how to treat frequently shaved skin and weathered complexions are advantages that draw them in. Men enjoy spa services, but after several rejections of requests for interviews and having their photos printed, I realized that some men just don’t want people to know they go to spas to get “beauty” treatments. Clean, rugged, milky, yet masculine at the same time, some men want to keep their grooming secrets to themselves or a select few around them. 

Since I’ve not been to a spa for men, I am not sure how the services would measure up in comparisons with all the awesome spas for women I’ve experienced in Beijing and elsewhere, but I was quite intrigued. What music would be playing in the background? What brand of products and what ingredients would be best for skin that endures daily shaving and active sports for some. What kind of special deals would they have to attract the male consumer? Only time will tell how successful and fast this niche market will grow. There is no doubt that with the fast paced lives people lead today, services targeted at relieving and releasing the pressures of work and life, will be welcomed with open arms. That is a major concern of women, and men too. 

 

CHRISTOPHER D. LEE

Age:  30's

American

Occupation:  Entertainment

Lived in Beijing for ten months

 

“I have heard of spas for men but have you ever gone to one? It could be fun. But I am not sure that there is any benefit in having spas for men. I go to mainstream spas, but I don’t know, I may try this new spa for men if given the opportunity. If money were no object, and if I have time, a spa, depending on the services and amenities included, would be reasonable, but only at a price of about 100 yuan per hour, whether for men or women.”

 

Kwen Fong

Age (range):  30–40

Mauritian

Occupation: Office Administrator

Lived in Beijing for more than ten years

 

“I have heard of spas for men, but, no, I have never gone to one. I would like to help you out and provide more information. But I don't think I'm the guy for spas. I have never been to one before, and to be honest, I'm not very much interested.”

 

Kenny Wang

Age: 21 years old

Changsha, China

Occupation: Full-time Student

 

“I went to the China World Spa for the first time with my father and since then, I have been hooked. It was a bonding experience between us guys; so we go there once a week to enjoy their oil massage. My dad is a businessman and very stressed. We have some special products that they said are good for our skin and created just for men.  We like this spa because it is very relaxing and quiet. There are not many people around and the atmosphere feels like a private resort. The cost per hour is 500 yuan. Whether this is reasonable or not, I am not sure: I just know that going there helps us feel better and do better work.”

 

Jay Chen

Age: 30

American

Occupation: Finance/Accounting

Lived in Beijing for two years

 

Yes, I have heard of spas for men and yes, I have gone to one, once, with my wife; I don't remember the name of the place. The experience was just okay. I am not sure about this new service for men. They probably don’t have as many benefits as a gym would offer. I am really not sure how this business would do in China. But I would perhaps try it, maybe once a month. And if and when I go, the prices should be approximately the same as the gym, I guess.”

 

Elias Wang (Wang Hao)

Age:  24

Shaanxi, China

Occupation: Intern at Major League Baseball, China

Lived in Beijing for four years

 

“Spa... hmm, I never heard of spas for men, and have never tried one out. Do you like it? Any good places to go? Even though I’ve never been to one, I think a maximum of 100 yuan at one time would be acceptable.”

 

Brooks Jealous

Age: Over 40

American

Occupation: Consultant––Training Industry

Lived in Beijing for four months

 

“I haven’t been to a spa for men, but I’ll try to answer the questions. I’ve never heard of spas for men. Not until now, but if done professionally, spas for men could be a good thing…for this service segmentation. Let’s face it: if and when we go to a spa, most guys want a more relaxing atmosphere, where they can walk around in their shorts. I think this could really work well in China. If money were no object, how often would I like to have spa services? Oh, about every 20 minutes… but really, in terms of pricing, spa prices are already getting ridiculous. Spas for men should be priced competitively. This shouldn’t be an excuse to go over the top.”

 

Juhsen Hong

Age: 53

Taiwanese

Occupation: Training and Consulting

Lived in Beijing: More than three years

 

“Yes, I have heard of spas for men. SPA De Feng. But I’ve never gone to one. Spas for men reflect a trend in a needy market. I feel the benefits of these spas are many but in a way, you have to know how to fulfil the psychological needs of men (and women for that matter) As for physical fulfilment, every spa is doing this; I can accept this new type of service. Absolutely, however, you’ve got to fulfil both parts simultaneously; then I will spend that money. Speaking of money, if I had unlimited resources, I would go to the spa four to five times a week. But I do have a limited pocketbook and also a heavy user so I would need a deep discount to go frequently. Membership cards cost between 400 and 1,200 yuan. This can really work if spas truly try to know everything about their customers and engage in one-on-one marketing on a regular basis; then the word of mouth will spread. I am willing to consult in exchange for free massages and spa services: seriously.”

 

Kaz Michalak

Age: 35

British

Occupation:  English Teacher

 

“Spa services for men or women are all great. But if they’re just for men, all the better! I enjoyed a holiday package deal for 168 yuan for three hours at the Jiu Hua Shan Zhuang Hot Springs. This included the use of five natural hot spring pools that are medicated with bags of Chinese medicine. Each pool has a different purpose based on the type of Chinese medicine found in each one; one pool might be good for circulation while another pool might be good for the stomach. In addition to the five pools, I liked the communal natural hot spring pool which had jets of water that shoot across your back; this refreshes and relaxes me. Men and women were in the pool, but I didn’t mind. My wife and I were able to have the spa experience together. The package also includes use of the sauna facilities, foot massage, and a 45 minute full body massage, just for this man. Spas in China are still quite affordable so the niche market can continue to grow. Back home in England, I went to the spa once in a blue moon because it was so expensive.”

 

Solomon Tedros

Age: Born in 1980

Eritrean

Occupation: Businessman

Lived in Beijing for almost two years

 

“Yes. I have heard of spas for men. No. I have not been to one, only to saunas. I have no idea about this type of service. What I feel are the benefits of spas for men are that they are really good and effective for networking. Because not only are you recreating yourself but you are also meeting some other persons who may be friends and business contacts too.

Yes, I could accept such a service, and I would like to go once or twice a month for relaxation and some networking. I have no idea for how much things should cost, I am really sorry I am not so familiar with those things. But I can just say not more than 100–200 yuan.”

 

Tony Tan (Tan Qian)

Age: 38

Beijing, China

Occupation:  Owner, Kang Min Blind Massage

 

“Spas for men? This is not a new business; we’ve been doing this for ages. Men need their own place and services and products that fit their needs. But this is a hard business to tackle. Men need is more than physical relaxation. When I treat my patients, they need to relax their bodies, and they need to release their minds. Men today have too much pressure. Statistics reveal that many executives are dying at a younger age. So what I try to do when treating men and women is to work from the inside out. Our bodies respond to what goes through our minds. I deal with this in my practice, but I hope these spas for men have good services like that. Then anything they charge can be accepted.”

 

Reed I. Patterson

Age: 78

American

Occupation: Trainer/Entreprenuer

Lived in Beijing/China: Off and on since 1988

 

“Of course I have heard of spas for men. And I have gone to one. Not often, but I’ve been for personal relaxation. My experiences there have been quite good. I think these kinds of services may be new to China, but they are quite common in Japan, Russia and Europe. I see the benefits of these types of spas giving us men a time to relax and unwind. If I could, I would like to go to a spa at least once or twice a week. The acceptable price range for spa services, in my opinion, should be around the price for Turkish bath, massage, exercise: about US$20–$30 per visit. I think an annual club membership would be good, which has all of the amenities with an option to use some or all. I think people’s hesitation about this service would be that what type of services do the spas really provide?”

 

Ocean Wong

Age: 24

Malaysian

Occupation:  Business Consultant

Lived in Beijing/China for four years

 

“Yes, I actually have heard of spas for men, though I’ve never gone to one. I think they have found a niche market in which men are searching for services that will allow them to rest and relax, among the guys. Sure, I think I could accept such new service. And if I have extra cash, I would go to the spa maybe once every two weeks. I feel a good price range for services would be 100 yuan to 500 yuan per hour."