As a massage therapist at Life Time Fitness, I was initially excited to be part of a high-end wellness environment. However, the reality of working here has been disappointing and frustrating.
The compensation structure is one of the biggest issues. Therapists are paid strictly on commission, which means if you don’t have a booked client, you’re essentially working for free. We are expected to be on the floor promoting ourselves—chatting with members, encouraging them to book—when this kind of marketing and client outreach should be handled by the spa management and front desk. It takes time away from preparing for clients or recovering in between sessions, and it often feels like we're being pushed into a sales role rather than being supported as skilled health professionals.
Before the switch to full commission, I was making an hourly wage that provided some financial stability. That has completely changed, and now pay is inconsistent and often unfair considering the physical and emotional labor massage therapy requires. We are expected to maintain a high standard of service without being properly compensated or supported.
The spa environment looks good from the outside, but behind the scenes, therapists are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. Life Time presents itself as a luxury wellness space, but the treatment of its massage therapists does not reflect that image.
