What to Wear to a Massage

Why most guys keep their underwear on, why you don't need to, and how professional draping keeps you covered either way.

Massage 4 min read

Almost every guy wonders about this before his first massage: do I keep my underwear on? Most figure they should, so nothing gets weird. It’s a reasonable instinct. It’s also the opposite of what works best, and here’s why.

What the professional sources say

The short version: it’s your call, and you’re covered either way.

  • The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) says you undress to your own level of comfort. The therapist leaves the room while you undress and get on the table, and only the part of your body being worked on is uncovered at any time.
  • AMTA’s Massage Today magazine lists the choices plainly: you can stay clothed except for your shoes, wear a gown, keep your underwear on, or be fully undressed.
  • Cleveland Clinic says the same thing: undress fully, keep your underwear on, or use drapes, and you’re covered by sheets.

How draping works

Draping is a skill. ABMP, the other big professional association, has a code of ethics that calls for appropriate and skilled draping. State rules go further. Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Indiana all require that a client’s genitals and the area between the buttocks stay covered, and Washington says a gown or drape must always be provided. Rules vary by state, but the practice is the same everywhere: you’re under a sheet, the therapist uncovers one area at a time, and covers it again before moving on. Your groin stays covered the whole time.

That’s what makes it comfortable. You’re never exposed, so being undressed under the sheet is a lot less exposed than it sounds.

Why I go without underwear

Underwear is allowed, and it’s common. One university health center says most of its clients undress down to their underwear. It just isn’t needed, and it can get in the way.

  • Many therapists work around underwear, not under it. One massage business says that with underwear on, the therapist won’t go under it, so the glutes and upper hips get skipped. I couldn’t find a professional body that rules on this. It comes from therapists, and it matches my experience.
  • It can interfere with the work. An article published by ABMP says extra clothing can limit some techniques and the use of lotion. One therapist says slick underwear makes his hands slip during glute work.
  • Hips and glutes hold a lot of tension. If you sit all day or run, that’s often the area that needs the most attention.

Taking them off doesn’t signal anything, either. One therapist says it doesn’t make him uncomfortable or suggest anything inappropriate.

How to say it without making it a thing

You don’t need a speech. Keep it practical and about the work:

  • “I’m comfortable going without underwear so you can work on my hips and glutes. I’ll stay under the drape.”
  • “Do you prefer I leave my underwear on or off for the hips and glutes?” It’s a normal question, and it hands the decision to the professional.
  • “I sit a lot, so my hips and lower back are tight. Please spend time there.”

Then the routine is simple. Your therapist steps out, you undress to your comfort level, get under the sheet face down, and say you’re ready.

If you’d rather keep them on

That’s completely fine. It’s your body and your call, and a good therapist won’t make it weird either way. Tell them what you’d like worked on, and they’ll adjust. If you change your mind partway through, say so.

The red flags

Nothing about undressing changes what a massage is. AMTA’s magazine says massage is never sexual. If a therapist pressures you to take your underwear off, pulls it down, or does anything else that crosses a line, speak up, end the session and report it. ABMP’s code says you can decline, change or stop any part of a session. Massage educator Ben Benjamin calls a therapist who pressures you a red flag, and says to leave.

The same goes in the other direction: keep it professional, and never ask for or joke about anything sexual.

If you get an erection

It happens, and it doesn’t mean anything. Columbia University’s health service calls it not uncommon, says therapists typically ignore it or reassure you, and notes that you can ask for a pause or an extra towel. There’s more in worries men actually have, and how to talk to your therapist covers the rest.

Sources

Written from lots of real spa days, not professional training. Spas differ, so check with yours. General information, not medical advice.

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