Let’s be honest — when it comes to massages, we’ve all got preferences. Some want a gentle touch and lavender oil; others want their knots kneaded like sourdough. But do men and women truly want different things from their massage experiences?
We asked 100 clients across the UK — 50 men and 50 women — to spill the beans on what they really want when they hit the massage table. The answers were surprising, hilarious, and, at times, exactly what you’d expect.
Let’s Talk Pressure — Gentle vs. Gorilla Grip
- 🧔 Men: 68% of men said they prefer deep tissue or “firm” pressure — some even described their ideal massage as “borderline brutal (in a good way).”
- 💁♀️ Women: 54% of women leaned toward medium or lighter pressure, often mentioning “relaxation” or “stress relief” as their top priority.
But here’s the plot twist:
26% of women said they secretly love deep pressure but rarely ask for it. Why? “I don’t want to seem dramatic,” said one respondent. Sis, speak up — your knots deserve justice.
Scented Oils vs. No Frills
- 🧴 62% of women said they enjoy massages with aromatherapy oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile.
- 🪵 Meanwhile, 73% of men said “just give me the massage — skip the scents.”
That said, 21% of men admitted they secretly enjoy a little aromatherapy — but don’t want their mates knowing.(Don’t worry, your secret’s safe here.)
Talk or No Talk? The Chatter Factor
This one was evenly split, but with a twist.
- Men: 60% preferred silence or minimal small talk during the massage. One bloke said, “If I wanted a conversation, I’d call my mum.”
- Women: 48% said they enjoy light conversation, especially if the therapist has great energy.
Still, both groups agreed on one thing: no life advice unless requested.
The Goal of the Massage
We asked, “What do you want to walk away with after a massage?”
- Men:
- Pain relief (42%)
- Relaxation (28%)
- Better mobility for sports/gym (18%)
- “To feel like I’ve been rebuilt” (actual quote)
- Women:
- Stress relief (41%)
- Emotional reset (29%)
- A full-body glow (18%)
- “To forget about my job and ex for 60 minutes” (we relate)
Do Men and Women Want Different Massages?
Short answer: kind of — but it’s less about gender and more about personality, stress levels, and pain tolerance.
What we really learned is this:
- Everyone wants to feel better at the end of a massage.
- Most people aren’t actually asking for what they really want.
- And whether it’s firm pressure, scented oils, or total silence — it’s okay to customise your experience.
Final Thoughts: Ask, Don’t Assume
Massage therapists: don’t assume all men want tough love and all women want gentle strokes.
Clients: don’t be shy — tell your therapist what you want.
At the end of the day, the perfect massage is all about communication, comfort, and that blissed-out “float home in a bubble” feeling.
Want to explore different massage styles or book a therapist who gets your vibe? Browse listings now on m4massages.com— your body will thank you later.
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