Make sure they focus on "serious" massage and not "Spa" massage. There is definitely a difference; how deep someone work (will they cause discomfort that is beneficial?) whether they will teach you to work on areas that typically aren't done by spa masseuses, such as glutes and buttocks, lower abdomen ( think psoas connectors) and inner thighs. Now by spa I just mean fluffy massage for relaxation. None of this refers to so called massage parlors. I just mean the two different styles.

I think I'm spoiled though... We finally have a massage therapist that we love and does incredible deep tissue work. We had to sign a waiver that we understood that deep work doesn't always feel good and may actually be painful. He focuses on the problem area, and doesn't necessarily do a full balanced massage (10 minutes per body area, you know what I mean) I've had horrible hip problems and it kind of sucks when no one will get in there and dig around in your butt. Tim is super professional, but he'll get under the iliac crest to work on my psoas, and he works deep into the glutes. Finally I have relief. It's taken me years to find someone that will do this kind of work. And, he has a hard time finding massage people to work in his offices and meet his standards... they all want to do fluffy massage as a part time gig.