Performance Recovery Therapy for Runners and Gym-Goers

Performance Recovery Therapy at Studio Chique is a therapeutic massage combined with targeted muscle work, designed for runners, lifters and other active guests who want to ease muscle tension, support flexibility and circulation, and feel less fatigued between workouts. It is offered as a 60-minute session for $159 or a 90-minute session for $229 at our spa in Northeast Washington, DC. Many active guests book it on a lighter training day, or after a race or a heavy block of training.

At a glance

• What it is: a therapeutic massage plus targeted muscle work for tension, flexibility, circulation and muscle fatigue.
• Price and time: 60 minutes for $159 with 50 minutes hands-on, or 90 minutes for $229 with 80 minutes hands-on. The remaining 10 minutes of each appointment are for preparation.
• Who it suits: runners, lifters, gym-goers and other active clients, especially when post-workout fatigue is building up.
• When to book: on a lighter day, or after a race or a demanding stretch of training.
• Who should wait: anyone with an acute injury, a fever or an infection, or recent surgery without their surgeon's clearance.

What is Performance Recovery Therapy?

Performance Recovery Therapy is a full-body therapeutic massage paired with focused work on the muscles your training asks the most of. Our menu describes it as a performance-driven body therapy for athletes and active lifestyles, one that combines therapeutic massage techniques with targeted muscle work to relieve tension, support circulation and flexibility, and ease muscle fatigue.

In practice, your therapist balances two things during the session. There is general massage that helps the whole body settle, and there is more concentrated attention on the areas that feel tight or overworked. For a runner, that might be the calves, thighs and hips. For someone who lifts, it may be the back, shoulders and glutes. You tell us which areas matter most, and the therapist adjusts pressure as the session goes.

It is supportive care for a body that trains regularly. It is not a substitute for medical care or physical therapy when something is injured, and it works best as one calm, considered part of your wider routine of rest, sleep and sensible training.

Who is Performance Recovery Therapy for?

It suits runners, gym-goers and active clients who notice muscle fatigue accumulating from regular training. Guests who often choose it include:

• Runners logging regular miles, preparing for a race, or winding down after one
• Lifters and gym-goers whose legs, back or shoulders feel heavy after demanding sessions
• People who take group fitness classes, cycle, play recreational sports or keep up an active routine
• Anyone who wants a massage with a clear focus on post-workout fatigue rather than relaxation alone

You do not need to be competitive or follow a formal training plan. If movement is a regular part of your week and your muscles feel it, this session was designed with you in mind.

Should I choose the 60-minute or 90-minute session?

Choose the 60-minute Performance Recovery Therapy session ($159, 50 minutes hands-on) for one or two focus areas, and the 90-minute Performance Recovery Therapy session ($229, 80 minutes hands-on) when more of your body feels tired at once. In both, the remaining 10 minutes are set aside for preparation, so the hands-on time is yours.

The 60-minute appointment fits neatly into a busy week and works well when you want a full-body massage with extra attention on, say, your calves or your shoulders. The 90-minute appointment gives your therapist more time across several areas, which can make sense after a race or at the end of a demanding block of training. If you are new to focused muscle work, the 60-minute session is a comfortable place to start.

How is it different from Swedish, deep tissue or sports massage?

The main difference is focus: Performance Recovery Therapy is built around recovery from training, while each of our other massages has its own purpose.

• Swedish massage (60 minutes $129, 90 minutes $189) is relaxation-led, using customized pressure with relaxation and corrective techniques across the full body. It is a lovely choice when you want to unwind as much as recover.
• Targeted Deep Tissue Therapy (60 minutes $139, 90 minutes $209) uses sustained deep pressure on areas of chronic tightness, such as a back or neck that has felt stiff for a long time.
• Sports Massage ($165) is another option on our menu for active guests.
• Performance Recovery Therapy ($159 or $229) combines therapeutic massage with targeted muscle work aimed at tension, flexibility, circulation and fatigue from regular training.

None of these is better than the others. They suit different goals and different weeks. If you are unsure which one fits, tell us how you train and how you are feeling when you book, and we will help you choose.

When should I book Performance Recovery Therapy around my training?

Book it when your body has room to rest afterward. Many active guests choose a lighter training day, a rest day, or the days after a race or a heavy training block, rather than the slot right before a hard workout.

There is no single correct timing, because training plans and bodies differ. A few general ideas help:

• After a race or a demanding block, a session can be a calm way to mark the end of the effort and turn your attention to recovery.
• During regular training, booking on a lighter day means you are not heading straight into a hard session afterward.
• Before an important event, let us know when you book, and your therapist will keep the pressure appropriate so you do not go in feeling overworked.
• If your schedule changes week to week, there is no need for a fixed routine. Book when your training and your body suggest it.

Whatever timing you choose, share your training and any sore spots with your therapist at the start. They adjust pressure throughout, and you are always welcome to ask for lighter or firmer work.

What can I pair with Performance Recovery Therapy?

If you would like to extend your visit, a few services on our menu sit comfortably alongside recovery work. None of them is required.

• Total Body Stretch (30 minutes $79, 50 minutes $129) adds dedicated stretching time for guests who want to spend longer on flexibility.
• Zero-Gravity Recovery Session (30 minutes $59, 60 minutes $99) is a quieter recovery option for guests who want more time to rest.
• Infrared Sauna Session (30 minutes, $49) suits guests who enjoy warmth as part of their routine.

Our treatment rooms have fireplaces, and some guests add the VIP Elite Lounge upgrade for fireside reclining afterward, or stop at Bar Chique for small bites, an elixir or a mocktail. We pay attention to these details because how you feel throughout the visit matters to us as much as the massage itself.

When should I skip or postpone a session?

Postpone Performance Recovery Therapy if you have an acute injury, a fever or an infection, or recent surgery without your surgeon's clearance.

A sudden strain, sprain or sharp pain that began during training should be checked by a medical professional before any massage. Please also check with your doctor first if you have an active blood clot, a heart or kidney condition, are in active cancer treatment, or have swelling you cannot explain. If you are unsure, contact us before your appointment and we will help you decide whether to reschedule.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Arrive with a little time to settle in, and come ready to talk about how your training has been going. Mention recent races, new routines, or areas that feel different from usual so your therapist can plan the session around you. Afterward, give yourself an easy rest of the day if you can. Gentle movement and drinking water are simple, sensible habits after any massage.

Book Performance Recovery Therapy at Studio Chique

When training has left your muscles tired and tight, Performance Recovery Therapy offers focused, attentive time to reset. Choose the 60-minute session for $159 or the 90-minute session for $229, then book your Performance Recovery Therapy appointment online. We are at 2308 Rhode Island Avenue NE. The spa is temporarily closed on Sundays, so if you race on weekends, plan your visit for another day.