Sports

Enter the Comfort Zone

Though it always feels nice to be kneaded, a new generation of spas will take you way beyond massages and facials

By Nina Hammerling

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After you've pushed your body mountain climbing, running or weight lifting, reward it with a visit to one of the recently opened spas around the country that specialize in treatments for the weary athlete. Many have added customizable and innovative services to soothe things like sun-damaged skin and strained muscles. Water-jet massage or Balinese ginger-spice scrub, anyone?

New York City

Water is the theme at the minimalist Maximus SoHo, which has incorporated the aqua concept into both its spare decor -- a two-story wall of falling water greets guests -- and its invigorating spa treatments (212-431-3333, maximusspasalon.com). The signature service is the Water Journey (from $140 for about 90 minutes). After a full-body salt-scrub, you'll take a Vichy shower, in which you lie down on a marble table with drains, and six adjustable shower heads rinse your body for 10 minutes (your face is protected). Then, while reclining in a hydrotherapy tub (herbs and oils optional), you can use 150 adjustable air and water jets to massage specific areas -- like your shoulders, back or feet. Finish off with the steam-water capsule: two overhead waterfall-style showers, pouring 80 gallons per minute, will massage your neck and shoulders and fill the capsule with steam; spouts coming out of the wall target your lower back and spine.

Before they opened their spa, the owners of Just Calm Down (212-337-0032) loved to go to the supermarket and fill their carts. But they didn't go home to cook -- they created concoctions that formed the basis of many of their new spa's food-based treatments. Just Calm Down's mocha body wrap uses coffee grains to exfoliate ($140 for 90 minutes). "The caffeine perks up your skin," says co-owner Tara Oolie. Just Calm Down also uses seasonal fresh fruit in its postmanicure scrubs, such as strawberries in the summer and pomegranates in the fall, believing that the fruit acids and exfoliating seeds can help revitalize dry skin ($30 for 30 minutes, including manicure).  [Read More]