Buy a pelvic floor chair or rent one?

Four models have emerged in the market. They differ less in the device than in what comes with it.

Most manufacturers don’t publish their device prices. What you can find are individual store listings and figures from comparison articles. According to these, devices sold online start at around €11,900 including VAT. For widely used studio systems, comparison articles cite more than €35,000 to more than €40,000, and for devices from the practice and clinic sector over €50,000 to over €80,000.

These figures are a guide, not offers. The comparison articles come from sites with their own business interests, and prices change. Always ask the supplier for the total price including delivery, introduction and warranty.

All cost items at a glance

With leasing, you pay a monthly installment and use the device for a fixed term. For the online device mentioned above, leasing is listed from around €227 a month. For more expensive systems, the installments are correspondingly higher.

Don’t just compare the monthly installment; compare the total of all installments plus the residual value with the purchase price. Also clarify whether maintenance and repairs are included in the installment, what happens if the device breaks down and how you can end the contract. How leasing and buying differ for tax purposes is a question for your tax advisor.

Some suppliers offer rental or rent-to-own, but the terms are rarely published. Renting can make sense if you want to test the offering first. Ask specifically about the minimum term, notice period, return and who provides the training.

By the way, for NiSV expertise (the qualification required under Germany’s NiSV regulation), it makes no difference whether the device is bought, leased or rented. Anyone who uses it commercially on people needs it in any case.

What NiSV training covers

A device alone doesn’t bring a single client into the studio. That’s why networks and franchise systems sell not just the chair but also training, brand, marketing and often territorial protection. That comes with fees. One franchise system on the market, for example, lists an entry fee of €4,999 and an ongoing 10 percent of net revenue.

Whether that pays off depends on how much of it you can do yourself. If you already have clients and your own marketing, you need less support than someone starting from scratch. In the intro call, we tell you upfront and in writing how the Good Vibes partner model is structured and what it costs.

Whichever path you choose, these questions belong before any signature:

• How many sessions per week can I realistically sell, given my location and my clients?
• Who trains me and my team, and does the training cover NiSV expertise?
• What happens if the device breaks down? Is there a replacement device, and how quickly?
• What ongoing costs come on top, such as maintenance, insurance, electricity and marketing?
• Is there territorial protection, and exactly how large is the area?
• Where do the first clients come from, and who owns the inquiries?
• Can I try the chair beforehand and talk to existing operators?
• How long am I tied in, and how do I get out again?

Buying suits you if you have experience running a studio, capital and your own clients, and you do your own marketing. Leasing protects your liquidity at the start but usually costs more over the term. A network suits you if you want support at the start: training, visibility, inquiries and exchange with other operators.

An honest supplier tells you all costs upfront and lets you talk to existing partners. If someone promises you a fixed monthly revenue, ask where that number comes from.