5 Premium Fitness + Sports Recovery Destinations to Know About: Therabody and More

Is the traditional spa dead? The emergence of new luxury sports facilities with pain recovery and luxury sports facilities might argue so.

The wellness boom has led to a proliferation of services, with high-end fitness and sports recovery programs being the hot experiences to try right now.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in the concept of luxury fitness and recovery,” says Dr. Jonathan Leary, founder of social self-care destination The Remedy Place.

Equinox may have been one of the first hotels to make fitness a luxury, but new concepts like Padel House are making their presence felt in the market, and sports hospitality like Shiro, a new fitness-centric hotel concept, is also a growing trend, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Now, with a plethora of new equipment, treatments and luxury facilities, customers are socialising at sports facilities as regularly as they are going to a spa.

“We’re seeing increased demand for scientifically-backed, enhanced experiences that provide both immediate and long-term benefits,” Leary says. “Therapies such as cryotherapy, infrared saunas, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and lymphatic compression are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in promoting recovery, reducing inflammation and improving overall performance.”

Therabody, known for its massage guns, operates a chain of recovery-focused stores called Reset by Therabody that offer restorative therapies such as lymphatic drainage and infrared saunas and sees a wide range of customers, the company said. Benjamin Nazarian, chairman of the board and chief strategy officer at Therabody, where clients come for both sports recovery and overall longevity.

As the sector grows, here are five concepts that combine sports with a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere.

1. Equinox Optimization

Equinox has been upscale since its inception and now offers a $40,000-a-year longevity program called “Optimize by Equinox,” which includes biomarker testing and one-on-one training with Dr. Mark Hyman’s company, Functional Health. The company says the new service will “decode and unlock your peak potential.”

“[Equinox is] “We’re a luxury experiential brand, so what goes on inside our facilities and locker rooms is held to a higher standard and a very rigorous development process,” Julia Krim, Equinox’s vice president of strategic partnerships and business development, told WWD.

2. Silvan Zabeel

Shiro’s Zabeel, a luxury wellness hotel in Dubai by Kerzner International, is built around the five main pillars of biohacking: sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, recovery and, of course, fitness.

The hotel features a Fitness Lab with up to 50 specialized training classes each week, personal training and a wide range of gym equipment, while the Recovery Lab offers performance-enhancing treatments such as electrical muscle stimulation, compression therapy, cryotherapy and IV infusions.

Following the successful opening in Dubai, a new Silo hotel will open in Montenegro later this year, followed by hotels in Los Cabos, Mexico and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

3. Remedy Place

Remedy Place has made a name for itself as a social wellness company. The resort allows guests to enjoy treatments and services together, with many of the treatments focused on sports recovery, including heat and cold therapies and lymphatic drainage.

“We’ve seen firsthand how social interaction can amplify the benefits of traditional self-care routines, especially when compared to an isolated spa experience,” says Leary. “When people come together with a common purpose, whether it’s a sauna suite or a Breathwork ice bath class, not only do we feel better, but we see the power of connection with the people we’re with.”

Remedy Place currently has locations in New York City’s Flatiron District and West Hollywood, with plans for further expansion.

4. Reset with Therabody

With locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and Manhattan Beach, California, Reset by Therabody allows guests to experience Therabody equipment as well as sports recovery therapies such as infrared sauna sessions, cryotherapy and manual stretching. The team says that contrast therapy is particularly popular as it helps increase circulation and relieve pain.

5. Padel House

Padel Haus combines sport, socializing and luxury under one roof: Following the post-COVID-19 padel boom, the concept has opened several locations in New York City and is now expanding to Nashville with its largest club to date.

The new facility, scheduled to open in August, will include eight indoor courts, a juice bar, rain showers, a rock climbing wall and social and co-working spaces. Additionally, an ultra-luxury padel facility is in the works. Padel House founder and CEO Santiago Gomez said the company plans to grow its presence on the East Coast and then expand nationally as padel continues to gain popularity as a social sport.