First seated-massage kiosks launch in S.F.

A massage-industry pioneer plans, with the launch of his new company, to increase seated massage's presence in mainstream America. To that end, the first Zubio seated-massage kiosk has opened in the San Francisco Bay Area, with up to eight more locations planned for 2006.

David Palmer, who developed the first massage chair in 1986, announced the launch of his new company, which he co-founded with financial expert Sam Keller, in January. (Palmer also founded the TouchPro Institute, the first international organization for training, certifying and supporting seated-massage practitioners, which has educated more than 11,000 therapists.)

The first Zubio kiosk opened in December inside the San Francisco Shopping Centre. The company plans to open two additional locations in the city this spring.

“This is our start-up year, where we test out the viability of the concept in a variety of locations,” Palmer said. “For example, the next Zubio Station may well be installed in the lobby of a high-rise office building. With an online scheduling system in place … office workers will be able to set an appointment from their desktops and, when their time comes around, jump in the elevator, get a 10-minute massage and be back at their desks in the time it takes for a coffee break.”

What makes Zubio unique is its semi-private massage kiosks, as seated massage is usually performed in public. The kiosks are staffed by massage therapists who have completed Palmer's 50-hour training program, which focuses on acupressure, stretching and percussion-based techniques.

Zubio’s 10- and 20-minute chair massage sessions cost $16 and $28, respectively, significantly more than the usual $1-per-minute charged for seated massage.

“The value that Zubio brings to the chair-massage experience exceeds anything that is currently on the market, resulting in the higher prices,” Palmer explained. “Providing a semi-private enclosure, a guaranteed consistent quality of massage service, automated sign-up and screening … is unique to the massage industry and results in a premium service.”

The name Zubio is derived from the Japanese term tsubo, which refers to acupressure points.

— Karen Menehan