Soothed tension, melted knots, relaxed muscles — getting a massage is an investment in your health. Yet many people don’t make massage a regular part of their wellness routine, whether it’s because they view it as a luxury, don’t have the time, or are hesitant about some part of the service.
Aescape, a pioneering lifestyle robotics company, is aiming to change the massage game with an intelligent, intuitive experience that’s completely controlled by you.
“This is the first-to-market robotic massage that interacts safely and autonomously with human bodies,” says Molly O’Connor, head of communications and content at Aescape. “Beyond that, it’s also the first that lets you control the entire experience from pressure points and target areas to music and ambiance. It’s completely customized to each individual’s needs.”
To learn more about this new service, we asked O’Connor and Shannon Kinney, head of partner management for Aescape, to answer a few questions about the experience.
Life Time | What is Aescape exactly — and how does it work?
Shannon Kinney | Our CEO and founder, Eric Litman, was inspired to build Aescape after dealing with a literal pain in the neck. After a year of constant travel, he developed a bulging disc and struggled to find reliable, consistent bodywork to ease his discomfort. Language barriers, lack of availability, and differences in preferred technique made it difficult.
So, Eric set out to create a solution that would make massage therapy more consistent and accessible. Cut to our launch in 2024 and Aescape is now the No. 1 automated massage experience that delivers massage custom to your needs. The table uses advanced sensors to map, understand, and adapt to your body’s unique contours and areas of tension. The system scans your body to precisely map your muscle structure and create a unique blueprint for a highly personalized massage. It captures 1.2 million data points.
The touchpoints that come in contact with your body replicate the seven surfaces of the human hand, simulating the knuckle, thumb, cupped hand, blade of hand, palm, forearm, and elbow. Each touchpoint on the machine is heated to 95 degrees F to provide a soothing and natural feeling massage experience.
Throughout the massage, you have full control of the pressure via a control screen. You can also change the display on the screen to meet your preferences (like music and pressure level), needs (areas massaged), and mood (switch up the screen interface to show a sleepy forest or calming ocean).
MO | Aescape has been designed from the beginning with the expertise of massage therapists. They are the ones doing the research and putting together the actual massage programming and customization options available on the tables. This means the touchpoints on the Aescape table are mimicking the modalities of an actual licensed massage therapist.
LT | By bringing Aescape to LifeSpa, what benefits does it offer Life Time members?
SK | Aescape exists to help bodies live better longer. We are partnering with Life Time and LifeSpa to offer an on-demand massage solution, as well as the ability to get shorter treatments with the same benefits as a hands-on, human-touch massage. An Aescape massage can fit more seamlessly into your day, as it can be done in 15 to 60 minutes and doesn’t require any lotion or oils on your skin. You’re fully clothed during the massage (you’re provided a top-and-bottom Aerwear apparel set, which specially works with the touchpoints). It’s also a wonderful solution for any Life Time members who aren’t comfortable with massage or who have never gotten a massage before.
MO | A quick massage is ideal post-workout to support recovery. If you’re an early morning workout person and you want to squeeze in a 15-minute massage post leg day, for example, we have that option. You can quickly get in and out and on with your day.
And know you’re not short-changing yourself by only doing 15 minutes. Because the table has multiple touchpoints, it’s able to work both sides of your body at once (whereas a human massage therapist would only be able to do one at a time). So it’s like you’re getting 30 minutes of body work in that 15-minute timeslot.
LT | How can an Aescape massage be customized to meet my specific needs?
SK | The great thing about Aescape is that you’re in control the entire time through the control screen. You start by selecting the areas of your body that you want it to work on. You then control the pressure through a slider that allows you to increase and decrease it at any point. There are a wide range of pressure options that you can adjust throughout the entire duration of the massage.
The body scan at the beginning also maps out your individual muscle structure, so it identifies those knots and tight spots and can efficiently work on the areas where you need it most.
LT | I’ve never had a massage before — why should I try Aescape?
SK | Massage is part of a holistic wellness routine, and Aescape is a wonderful entry point to that world of self-care. Many of us work at desks all day or are often hunched over our phones or devices, so we carry a lot of tension and stress in our bodies. Massage helps us release that tension and decompress our sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system.
Aescape makes it a more accessible option by offering shorter time durations, and in many cases, more affordable options starting at $30 at LifeSpa. Some people also have the preference to not be touched by a human or to stay fully clothed throughout a massage.
LT | I get regular massages from a massage therapist — is Aescape something I should try? How does it complement a hands-on massage experience?
SK | Most people who get massages from massage therapists aren’t getting them more than once per week, so if you prefer a more frequent cadence, Aescape is a wonderful tool for that. It can also be great to use as a quick 15-minute warm-up before your regular massage.
People also often opt to use Aescape for deeper trigger-point work when they don’t have time for a full service with a massage therapist, but their body needs some extra support.
LT | Can you walk me through a service? What do I need to know before going in?
SK | At the time of your booked service, a LifeSpa team member shows you to the room with the Aescape table. From there, you choose your sizing and change into the provided form-fitting top and bottom (shown in the above image). This outfit allows the touchpoints to smoothly glide across your body.
Once you’re changed, you’ll lie face down on the table with your head on the headrest and arms on the arm rest. You will see the control screen below your face. The screen will prompt you through a few questions to start, including asking about the body areas you want to focus on, as well as prompting you to adjust the bolster, headrest, and armrest to your comfort. The options for body areas of focus span from the upper back all the way down to the glutes and hamstrings.
On the screen, you’ll be able to select your visual options as well as your music. For example, you can choose to look at a screen that shows exactly where the touchpoints are on your body — or you can choose from several nature scenes. Music options include anything from nature sounds and lo-fi beats to today’s hits or just about any genre you can imagine. You can change your pressure, music, and visuals throughout the entire massage. It’s time to sink in and relax!
LT | What would you say to someone who is skeptical about “robot massage”?
SK | Skepticism is totally fair because there’s nothing else like this out there. We just encourage everyone to try it, and Life Time members receive a complimentary 15-minute massage to do so in locations where it’s available. LifeSpa team members are available to guide you in using the Aescape table and to answer any questions you may have.
MO | A lot of people experience that anxiety before trying it, and then as soon as they’re on the table and they get that first stroke, they get it. Our No. 1 priority is ensuring everyone has a reliable and safe experience — every time. Our safety features include a “pause” function, allowing you to temporarily halt a session, and an “emergency stop” button, so you can immediately end your session if needed.
LT | How do you recommend fitting Aescape into my fitness or wellness routine?
SK | Aescape is a tool that can be added into your routine in the way that works best for you. Let’s say you strength train and are doing a leg day workout twice per week: A quick post-workout glute and leg massage can help loosen up your muscles.
Or if you’re a runner, for example, and you want to loosen up your muscles before a run, you can add Aescape into your pre-workout routine. It’s all about your own preferences and needs.
A 30- or 60-minute Aescape session is a great option to add to your self-care routine. Allowing yourself that time to relax and decompress can lead to so many health benefits.
LT | I’m ready to try it! What are the steps to booking a service as a Life Time member?
SK | Aescape is currently available at the LifeSpas at Life Time in Chanhassen, Minn., Life Time in Garden City, N.Y., Life Time Dumbo in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Life Time Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nev.
To book a service, use this link to open the Life Time app, which will take you to the Aescape service offering. Click “Book Now” and from there, you’ll be directed to the Aescape booking page where you’ll create a profile where all your preferences and history are saved. Once you set up your account, you can select your preferred time duration (15, 30, or 60 minutes) and the date and time you want to book.
