Spas for $50 or less

Awesome link!

Thanks Uraniumfish maybe I will gift the husband After Hours body massage at the Why Not Men’s Spa.. he seems to relish a massage unlike me who cant sit still long enough.. the weirdest treatment however seems to be the baby's bottom treatment for a blemish free butt!!! I think NYers generally have a penchant for their nether regions my regular waxing lady is quite fanatical and meticulous in her approach .. if you catch my drift..

Here's a related link: http://www.spafinder.com/dealdays

I was walking down 3rd Avenue near my block this morning, and I saw a sign that another spa was coming to NYC, and right on that block. It seems despite the slow economy, spas are making out like bandits. Any reason why?

@hhusted Maybe the stress of the recession is driving people to get spa treatments?

It's certainly cheaper than a night out on the town, and you don't feel hung over the next day. In fact, you feel quite the opposite. I am headed to the Russian Sauna next week. I have a Date, and will report back on the quality of their facilities. I really want someone to beat me with sticks while sitting in intense heat. Have I mentioned how tired I am of this winter?

@Uraniumfish are you by chance going to the Russian Baths on E10th Street?

@uptown I am indeed. I am very much looking forward to it. My calendar is marked and I have staked out a Boy whom I plan to bring with me. If we get hungry, we can have borscht! It sounds heavenly.

@Uraniumfish I have actually heard some good things about it from some Russian friends who have in fact invited us for a borscht dinner on Saturday night. Can't quite remember exactly what their comments were but I hope you have a fun time at the baths and are all warm and toasty at the end of your date.:)

This isn't a spa but I feel that it's still appropriate to mention that the Acupuncture School on Broadway and 22nd does a full session of acupuncture for 44 bucks (23 if you're a student). Jennifer O'Brien is amazing. It seriously changed my life. And, it's so cheap!

What exactly is the experience like? What do you do acupuncture for?

@Uraniumfish That sounds like it could quite possibly be the best date ever? Can't wait to hear how the Russian sauna is....

@JenMac I'm curious to know what it feels like as well... is there any pain?

I go for all sorts of stuff -- I quit smoking from acupuncture, it helps with anxiety, insomnia . . you name it. It doesn't hurt at all. It just feels kind of weird. There's a definite surge of energy that shoots across your body when the acupuncturist hits a particularly clogged spot. The first time I did it, I felt really drained and kind of sick after. I guess that was because my body was dealing with a lot of toxins that were being released. After that, I've always felt pretty great. I quit smoking after two sessions.

Can acupuncture help you quit rotten boys?

Ahahahaha! Well, allegedly, there's that whole mind / body connection soooo.

I'm thinking about trying it... it's a lot cheaper than therapy.

@BroadwayBk haha that's really funny. Acupuncture is really big in Asia , an aunt of mine get for some sessions to lessen the pain in her knees and apparently it provided much relief.

My gym has a sauna and steam room and I use it frequently after I work out. In fact, it's become part of my standard workout routine to sit in there a few minutes. @Uraniumfish I'd like to hear how you found the sauna experience and if you think it's worth the money to go there over and above what you might get from having a sauna included in a regular gym membership.

@uptowngirl Ever heard of anyone doing it for mental problems rather than physical ones?

Yes. Acupuncture is great for anxiety and depression too. Something about a weak spleen that causes it (their words not mine).

Oh, this is the rotten boy cure, I can feel it!

Sounds like a rotten boy cure. If that doesn't work you can put pins in the rotten boys to cure THEM.

@BroadwayBK: The only thing that can really cure rotten boy syndrome is by focusing on what type of guy you want, and only go for that type of guy. You attract bad guys because maybe deep down inside you associate bad guys with being accepted. I'm not saying this is true. Just talking like a therapist. Actually, if you really want to date a great guy, you have to visualize yourself with one, and only look for that type of man.

Good luck in finding that good guy.

@Uraniumfish HA!

@everyone I was never interested in acupuncture until reading this posting - all those needles usually just make me cringe. But if you say it doesn't hurt, but actually heals... well, it sounds like something to try at least once.

@Uraniumfish That's something I'd be willing to try as well...

@hhusted Uhhh I think you are way off about my associations with "bad guys," and that you can't really give someone a decent psychoanalysis based on a few forum postings. Thanks anyway.

@uptowngirl Guess I need to get a copy of that... good thing the magazine stands in my neighborhood like to stay about a month behind the times!

Today's Groupon is offering $110 dollars worth of spa services as Chill Wellness for $55....

@Everyone I'd never been interested in acupuncture either and always dismissed it as weird and new age-y but from the recommendation would also be willing to try it once.

@BroadwayBK Okay, I have to start getting on the groupon bandwagon. That sounds like a really good deal.

So I did some checking up on this Chill Wellness deal and the only thing you can really get without spending more than $110 is some waxing or one massage, since it's not valid for botox or laser hair removal. So worth it if you're in need of some waxing, but otherwise....

Is that a little steep for a pedi? I'm actually tempted to buy it (the deal's still on!), just to see how my legs do with a little waxing.

@BroadwayBK: I studied human behavior and the human mind. I know how it works. The problem is that people don't realize it because they are in denial about it, or they just don't know it. I'm not saying you are attracted to bad guys. But if you focus your attention on bad guys, you will meet them. Focus on good guys and you will begin meeting that type. I know this works because I have seen it done.

Good luck in finding that good person.

How much does waxing cost in the city? havent really had my legs waxed since I moved here.. now before you run screaming I do use an epilator which suits me fine ..but was just wondering...

I saw a tanning salon on 3rd Ave between 27th and 28th St advertise waxing. I didn't stop to check the price. I don't even remember the name of the tanning salon, but if anyone is in the area, may be able to find it. The salon is next door to Duane Reade.

So, back to the Russian Sauna and the best Date ever (coming soon, less than a week away): I was reading on the website that on coed days men are required to wear shorts. What the heck? Does that mean only women are allowed to be stark naked? Is there some fear that poor defenseless women might be traumatized by the sight of the male member?

Haha, @uraniumfish - good point! Are women not required to wear similar?

@hhusted Yeah, still pretty sure you know nothing of my personal situation or my so-called attraction to "bad guys." I was being mostly facetious with my postings and I doubt that anyone who couldn't pick up on that can really give me too much personal advice. Maybe I could use a therapist, but who couldn't? Please let's just drop it because you are making me rather uncomfortable.

@uptowngirl I hear J Sisters International is the place go go for waxing, but I have never actually ventured into professional waxing, really. Seems like the average cost of a bikini wax around these parts is about $50 and $100 for a full leg wax. That Chill Wellness place had a price for both leg and bikini that I think was around $100.

@Uraniumfish I'm sure there is a huge insurance liability when it comes to coed saunas. The coed sauna at my university required that everyone be clothed at all times, and that meant more than just a towel. It's strange that women don't have to wear anything, though?

@Uraniumfish really? that is really strange...

@Uraniumfish really? that is really strange...

@BroadwayBK: Not a problem. Didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. My training as a therapist gets the better of me sometimes. For that I apologize.

@Everybody Oh, wait, correction: EVERYBODY is required to wear shorts. They even provide shorts, you don't have to bring your own. Well that's a relief, here I thought this was another injustice toward women!

@Uraniumfish Phew... I wouldn't want to be a clothed woman having to walk around looking at all those hairy naked men. Did you get a chance to go to the sauna yet?

Ah, yes, tell us about Best Date Ever 2010! And of course feedback on the Russian sauna would be greatly appreciated.

@Uraniumfish yes! yes! please do tell all...

@ Everybody Okay, that was definitely the best date ever. I was not at all disappointed, not by the experience nor by the Accompanying Boy! This date goes into the annals. The great part is that it happened in February, and there are still so many opportunities to try to top it this year...

Thanks for sharing, @uraniumfish! It sounds fantastic, if highly weird.

@Uraniumfish .. It really sounds as if you had a fantastic time...in spite of the 'gently worn' facilities and the lack of napping space.. yes thanks for sharing...

@Uraniumfish: Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad you had a great time and enjoyed the experience.

@Uraniumfish Do you think that place has hours where it is less packed?

Thanks for sharing, sounds like it's pretty awesome, "gently worn" or not.

@BroadwayBK According to the attendant at the front counter, another one of those classic East Village personalities, Mondays are the lightest days, but they see a good crowd rather continuously in winter. For obvious reasons, you can pretty much have the place to yourself in summer.

Thanks for that, Uraniumfish! So it sounds like what you're saying is the heat of the Russian Sauna is much hotter than the standard New York saunas? That's interesting. I've never though about the heat of the sauna at my gym, but I guess it would fall in the category of wussy "spic and span" polished places. Hmm. I wonder how many high heat saunas there are in NY? A lot? A few? There's a big sauna in Queens I've been wanting to try, which would probably do the high heat...

Do you guys tend to prefer "spic and span" or "sweaty and sticky" overall, when it comes to spas? Personally, I find spas that are too clean/organized to feel sterile, like operating rooms

@ajadedidealist I concur. Or they feel like dentist offices - which is exactly where I never want to be. I vote "sweaty and sticky," as long as the only alternative is the too-sterile dentist office spa.

I get intimidated by the sterile spas. . . like I have to be sterile too or I'll get thrown out.

I like the sauna rooms and steam rooms in gyms. They're definitely the sweaty and sticky type. By the way, a steam room feels twice as good after working out. Something it does to the tired muscles...

I definitely need a place to FEEL clean, but I don't like spas/saunas that get too new age-y with the music or the decor, or that try way way too hard to provide that "total relaxation" experience. You guys must know which kind I mean? I guess I'm just used to the matter-of-fact style of European saunas, where no one's trying too hard to be anything in particular and they just make sure to mop up the place well and regularly. That's all I need.

@JenMac - I feel that way in Mac stores. Whenever I take my computer in for repairs I feel like I have to apologize for the gunky screen, crumbs inthe keyboard, etc...

@DBlack I've actually only ever been to a sauna or a steam room after I've just worked out. I guess it's just the American way.

But Uraniumfish has me curious about this Russian spa. Did we already talk about how much it costs to hang out there?

@NeverSleeps $30 for daily admission: http://www.russianturkishbaths.com

Ha, I just scrolled up and read about how I am going to use acupuncture to cure myself of evil boys - I'd forgotten! Guess I better make a note of it.

ajadedidealist: completely agree. I feel like I'm apologizing every time I go to a Mac store. . dusty screen, yes. But, they are also a little judgy when you don't know how to use everything on your computer. I feel like, hey, that's why you are a Mac genius and I have a different job, buddy.

@ NeverSleeps Your gym doesn't have a sauna or steam room? Seems like most gyms I've belonged to had either one or the other. My current gym has a small steam room, which is a really really great thing for a few minutes after work outs.

@DBlack It has both. I said I've only ever been to a sauna/steam room at the gym, rather than one that was separate....

@NeverSleeps Oh, duh, I just re-read your post. Yeah, sorry, I was reading too fast the first time. I guess it is the american way to only go to a steam room after working out. I never would think to go to a sauna otherwise.

@ajadedidealist I figured out a cure for dusty laptop screens, get your hands on an eyeglass cleaning spray , squirt some on the screen and then wipe it off with one of those microfiber cleaning pads which are now available everywhere( even at Duane Reade) To protect my keyboard from crumbs and the like I also use a keyboard cover which I ordered online from one of those online tech accessory retailers.

I actually just learned how to clean the keyboard on my laptop when one of my keys started sticking - you just pop those suckers off, dust a little, and when I popped the troubled key back on it was fine. It would be a pain, though, to clean the entire keyboard. I wonder if there is a place you can take your laptop to get it detailed? Ha.

What a great idea, @ajadedidealist! Now I can get my mac fixed every now and then and hold my head up with pride!

@ajadedidealist Ha, you directed that last one at yourself!

Whoopsie daisy! I meant to say @Neversleeps. I'm really not as narcissistic as all that...

How did we get from saunas to cleaning computer keys?

@Uranimfish Hah! Two things that certainly don't mix!

Blame it on the Apple store, which can apparently be compared to an overly sterile spa.

@Uraniumfish I know you love your spa treatments and I just came across a link which might be of interest to you-http://www.spaweek.com/learn-more- Apparently the people behind the Dove brand are sponsoring Spa week at various spas all over the country from April 12th to April 18th. The listed Spas will offer certain treatments for less than $50 a pop.

@uptowngirl I'm on it. Thank you for the link, I'm sure I'll find something there worth trying out...

Wow... I guess the recession really does equal some quality spa time for less.

I'm still on a mission for a good Thai massage place. I used to go to a joint in LA where they did an hour for 40 bucks. They walk on your back and pull on you until you are puddy. It was amazing.

@JenMac So that walking on the back thing is actually pleasurable? I'm scared of the idea.

@uptowngirl That link says "page not found" in my browser.

@BroadwayBK Having someone walk on your back is so amazing! As long as they don't step on the vertebra directly but on either side. Which reminds me that I need to get myself pulled and beaten by a masseuse real soon...

@BroadwayBK it gives me the same error now but then redirects to the page.. which browser are you using I am using Mozilla.

@NeverSleeps It just goes to prove that these places have huge margins which perhaps they cannot hope to recover in this economic climate so rather than sit empty they perhaps have decided to offer their services at cost?

@uptowngirl Indeed. The spa scene is one of those luxury perks that shrinks drastically when there's an downturn in the economy, and flowers right up the minute people have cash to burn. I bet a lot of the ritzy spas are feelings the crunch. I mean, people woudl be reluctant to give up going to their gym, but might manage to live without a manicure every single week.

@uptowngirl I am using Chrome. When I take the dash off the end of the link it works!