Being able to provide amazing massages is an essential skill for beauty therapists. A good way to learn how to massage? Take an online course! We have included both free and paid courses, that are all suitable for beginners, to ensure that you can find a course best suited to you!
But first, let’s answer a very important question – what is a massage?
A massage is a treatment that uses different kinds of physical contact to relax, revive and heal the body. It is used to treat a wide range of emotional and physical health problems and is one of the most popular treatments on a spa menu!
If you are hoping to start as a beauty therapist, then you can learn how to give massages through online learning. Suitable for all levels, I have spent the time researching the best online massage tutorials that are out there. So, if you’re looking to progress your beautician skills, there will be an online course out there for you!
1. Deep Tissue Massage Certificate Course (5 CEU’s) (Udemy)
- Level: All levels
- Completion time: 6h 7m
- Cost: $33.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 16,613
- Course rating: 4.7/5 (out of 3,531 ratings)
In this course, you will learn how to perform an incredible deep tissue massage from best-selling massage course instructor, Mark Perren-Jones. Mark has done deep tissue massages for elite athletes, celebrities and even the President! He will teach you his technique so that you can perform massages fit for a king.
In just over 6 hours, you are going to learn about different acupressure techniques, what equipment is needed for deep tissue massage, correct body alignment and postural problems, and how to use your forearm correctly. On top of this, you are also going to learn to create an effective business but going over marketing strategies, the equipment needed, how to create the right atmosphere for your clients and the importance of first impressions.
On completion of this course, you will have access to join the CTAA as a practitioner, which will give you access to discounted insurance, a directory listing and the opportunity to write a blog/article within the complementary field that you work.
2. Isla Verde Spa Relaxation Massage Certificate Course (Udemy)
- Level: All levels
- Completion time: 5h 32m
- Cost: $79.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 18,404
- Course rating: 4.7/5 (out of 4,036 ratings)
Taught again by Mark Perren-Jones, this course will teach you the correct massage techniques and sequences so that you can create a thriving practice. You will cover a full body relaxation massage sequence and you will take a look at correct body alignment and postural problems. On top of learning massage techniques, you will also learn the importance of first impressions, how to set up the right atmosphere for each client and the do’s and don’ts of setting up your massage room.
By the end of this course, you will have the ability to deliver great massages so that you can keep a competitive advantage over other therapists in the industry.
3. Give A Great Chair Massage: Head, Neck, Shoulders & Back (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 18m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 2,431
- Course rating: N/A
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to give amazing head, neck, shoulder and back massages, but never knew where to start, then this course is for you!
Stacy Raymer, a professional massage therapist for 9 years, will teach you the basic techniques to help you give a better massage. You will cover how to set the mood, tapotement, difference techniques, and much more. Each lesson will have clear, easy to follow instructions, so that you can quickly practice your massage techniques.
On top of this, you will also complete a hands-on project, where you will give a willing friend or family member a massage. You will go over your friend feels before and after the massage, how you felt after giving the massage and what your favorite technique is. This will help you improve your massage technique based off real life feedback!
4. Full Body Massage Diploma (New Skills Academy)
- Level: Intermediate
- Completion time: 6h
- Cost: $53
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: N/A
- Course rating: 4.9/5 (out of 3,074 ratings)
This very highly rated course is accredited, meaning that once you have completed it you will get a recognizable certificate! You will learn all about the effects of massage therapy, the anatomy of the body, different types of oils to use, reflexology, full body massage, Swedish massage and Lomi Lomi massage.
Essentially, this course is packed full of everything you need to know to become a massage therapist! Once you’ve completed this course, you will be well versed in various massage techniques which will prepare you for success in the industry!
5. Holistic Massage Therapy (Natural Health Courses)
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Completion time: N/A
- Cost: $187 to $410
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: N/A
- Course rating: N/A
Suitable for those looking to become a practitioner, this course offers you a qualification that will allow you to become accredited. This in-depth course will lead you step-by-step through the treatment sequence of a massage. You will cover the physical and emotional effects of massage, what to do for different skin disorders or types, how to massage different parts of the body.
To really help you become an excellent massage therapist, you will also go over everything about running a professional practice. Such topics include hygiene standards, preparing your client, post treatment evaluation and review, ethics and how to build (and maintain) a client base!
To help you really nail your understanding of holistic massages, this course comes with lessons, tests, diagrams, exam paper and case studies so that you have everything you need to set up a successful holistic massage practice.
6. Online Swedish Body Massage Training Course (The Beauty Academy)
- Level: Beginners
- Completion time: N/A
- Cost: $100
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: N/A
- Course rating: 5/5
This online course will teach you all about one of the most popular types of body massage: the Swedish massage. The course is designed to be suitable for complete beginners, and many of the students that take this course are not yet beauty trained but they are looking to start up a business in the industry.
Throughout this course, you will be taught from the best. You will learn about health, safety and hygiene, how to consult, massage movements and modifications, full body massage routine, using different massage mediums and aftercare advice. Once you have successfully completed this course, you will then receive a certificate that you can show to potential employers!
Conclusion
So, there you have it: the 6 best massage courses that are available online. These classes are suited to anyone who is wanting to develop their beauty skills and land a job in the industry.
To gather all the massage skills that you need, there are lots of online courses available for you. There are free courses that take only a few hours to complete. And, there are more expensive courses that take longer to complete!
The online classes in this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher, and they all have lots of satisfied and happy customers. So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, way to learn how to massage?
