It’s New York City Marathon weekend! If you’re about to (or just) crossed the finish line of the iconic 26.2-mile race, then your legs probably need some love—and the rest of your body and your mind, too.
To get the TLC you need, many fitness studios and physical therapy offices around New York are offering recovery services—and some are completely free with the flash of your bib or shiny new hardware. Sign up (or simply show up!) and give yourself some much-needed love.
1. Bespoke
Book a 30-minute compression boots session in a relaxing, zero gravity chair at this physical therapy office in midtown Manhattan. If you bring your medal—and book your session between November 7 and 9—the boots are completely free and you can chill out for a half hour while your legs get a soothing air massage, meant to improve blood flow. Looking for more attention post marathon? Book an appointment with one the smart, sports-oriented team of physical therapists and strength coaches and you can also get more hands-on care and have all your recovery questions answered.
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Location: 9 E 40th St, 12th Floor
Cost: Free compression boots session
How to sign up: Call 646-596-7427 to book an appointment.
2. Custom Performance
A physical therapy office that focuses on helping runners, specifically, this space has a “Fresh Legs” recovery program. With it, you get 30 minutes of hands-on care, including stretching. You also have your choice of compression boots or a plunge in the cold tub—a good option for those who want to skip the boots and try a new recovery method.
Location: 295 Madison Avenue, Suite 1026
Cost: $135
How to sign up: Book a session on their website.
3. Finish Line PT
This physical therapy office offers tons of services to help runners get to the finish line (hence the name!). After you do on November 6, they’re offering a special discount for cryotherapy, infrared sauna sessions, or time in Normatec compression boots. During the cryotherapy session, you’ll spend just three minutes in this negative 184-degree chamber that’s meant to increase circulation and send oxygen to your sore muscles. The infrared sauna reaches temps between 115 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s meant to heat your body to its core, relax your muscles, and get your blood flowing.
Location: 119 W 23th Street, 3rd Floor
Cost: Both a 30-minute infrared sauna and Normatec session for non-current patients is $40 and current patients is $22. A cryotherapy session and 30-minute Normatec session together is $40 for non-patients and $30 for current ones. New clients can also get a myofascial massage and a 5-pack of Normatec sessions for $175.
How to sign up: Call the Finish Line PT office at 212-486-8573 or fill out a form on their site.
4. Body Space Fitness
Book a free 30-minute Normatec compression boots session at either of this fitness studio’s two Manhattan locations on November 7 and November 8. The Union Square studio also offers the option for complimentary access to the infrared sauna. At the 59th street location, you can snag a complimentary protein shake, too! Make sure to bring and show your bib or medal to skip payment.
For those spectating on Sunday in NYC, you can stop by the 59th street location to cheer along with staff, grab a water, or use the bathroom.
Location: 47 W 14th St, 5th Floor and 330 E 59th St
Cost: Free!
How to sign up: Call 646-684-4912 or email bodyspacefitness@gmail.com to set up an appointment.
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5. Tone House
Another option for booking a much-needed Normatec compression boots session to promote blood circulation and give those legs some love, this midtown strength and conditioning studio offers 30-minute sessions.
Location: 32 E 31st Street
Cost: $20
How to book: Sign up on their site.
6. Strive Total Wellness
An official recovery partner of Tone House, Strive Total Wellness is a chiropractic office that offers sports massages to help improve blood flow and make your muscles and fascia feel better postrace. They’re offering a marathon special on Sunday November 6 and Monday November 7 at their midtown location.
Location: 44 E 32 St, 8th Floor
Cost: Call for discount details. Services may also be covered by some health insurances.
How to book: Call 212-596-4360 or email info@strivewellness.com.
7. Stretch*d
This assisted stretching studio offers a run package, currently at a discount. The deal includes one 25-minute assisted stretch, one 55-minute assisted stretched, 2 Hypervolt (percussion massage gun) enhancements, 2 Normatec compression boot sessions, and one lower body-focused session with an infrared heated roller. You can use your HSA or FSA to pay.
Location: 27 W 20th Street (Flatiron location); 1357 Third Ave (Upper East Side location)
Cost: $199
How to book: Sign up on the site.
Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, joined the Runner's World and Bicycling team in August 2021. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.
