Heartbreak Hill Running Company

The Heartbreak Hill Running Company store in Cambridge is an exceptional store with amazing staff. My wife and I stepped in not knowing too much about shoes and stepped out with 2 pairs of shoes and lots of new knowledge. Gabe, a staffer there, was extraordinarily knowledgeable about all things running and shoes. He even took a slow-mo recording of us running in flat trainers to ascertain our gait. They have all the newest shoes and the most friendly shoe staff we could have hoped for. They made us feel comfortable trying on an assortment of shoes until we could find one that fit just right. If you’re in the market for new shoes absolutely check out Heartbreak Hill. Ask for Gabe! He was super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. 10/10 would recommend! Great store for marathon runners, casual runners, sprinters, track and field, individuals needing more support, and anyone who wears shoes and likes to walk, run or simply stands and wants something comfortable. They have a bathroom/restroom and a changing room.

Never had a worse customer experience. Will not be returning/will be going to marathon sports from here on out. Went in to buy gels and was the only person in the store. I greeted the employees and was received with blank stares. Felt like I was ruining their day by walking in!

Unfriendly staff. Probably bad management when they only hire staff that are unfriendly every time that I go. Asking for a bag was really hard for the employees. I recommend bring your own bag to make their day easier.

I came in today about an issue with an online order, and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly, and resolved my issue! Great quality products for running.

As others have mentioned, service is lacking to non-existent. I went in to look for a specific brand (as this brand lists heartbreak on their website as a carrier) while on my lunch break. There were two associates, one actively helping someone and the other sitting behind the counter on his phone. I asked my question and was informed by the associate already helping another customer that they don’t have that shoe brand. That was the end of any acknowledgement from the staff. I still need new shoes so I perused for a few more minutes and decided the vibes were too off putting (the store was also totally silent?). Back to Marathon Sports for me

Chris was fantastic and did not pressure me at all to buy a shoe. Kind and patient through all my questions!

Fantastic experience. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Will definitely be coming back

I think this location needs to work on employee training to create a more welcoming experience. I’ve been in this shop twice in the past month, and both experiences were off-putting enough that I didn’t buy anything and am unlikely to go back. First time I went in, I was looking to replace my shoes, and I briefly scanned the wall of shoes to see if they had my preferred brand. The two clerks stood silently and watched me from near the back to the store. I didn’t see my brand, so I asked just to make sure I wasn’t being oblivious. It was totally fine that they told me that they don’t carry any Hoka products, but the way they said it made it seem like they looked down on me for even asking. Weird experience, but obviously not a big deal, I just ordered from Hoka directly. Second time I went in (today), two different employees were staffing. I was looking to see if they had any UV-protection stuff, as I’m doing more outdoor exercise this summer. One of the employees looked me up and down conspicuously, which felt weird for me. It made it feel like they have a particular type of customer in mind and perhaps I do not fit that expectation. Retail work in a space this small can be challenging because body language of the clerk plays a big role in determining whether the customer feels unwelcome or judged in the space. The employees I’ve dealt with at this location probably meant well, but they need some coaching to make sure they don’t make people feel stupid for asking a question or unwelcome for not dressing like them. In terms of inventory, this location seems to have a bunch of shoes from a few brands. The clothing selection at this location was largely athleisure (like Nike lifestyle stuff) so look elsewhere if you want performance gear. However, my low rating more reflects the employee behavior.

All I want to say is Finn from the Newton store is the best! He helped me take care of my order with haste and enthusiasm. A-1 customer service. S/O FINN!

Running has been, for better or worse, the exercise that I've consistently kept at over the years. When I started, I naively assumed it was one of the cheaper sports to dabble in - "all you need is a pair of sneakers and some sweats", right? Oh ho, how wrong I was. All that's to say, I'd gladly spend my bucks at Heartbreak Hill. I've been running consistently in Nikes without any issue, until I ordered the Pegasus 38 off a Black Friday sale, popped them on one morning for a few miles, and promptly got a stabbing pain at the edge of my right foot that refused to subside and hurt to even walk on. I looked up all the possible causes (plantar fasciitis, peroneal tendonitis) and resigned myself to a few days of rest and foam rolling, all the while glaring at the offending shoes tossed in the corner. Once I was finally able to hobble around outside, I checked out HH. I told the employees that I was looking for a softer shoe that could help with over-pronating and withstand daily training. The guy (think his name was Hiro) brought out three different pairs and patiently offered suggestions as he watched me walk and jog around. Finally, I went with the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20, along with some inserts (which may have been a bit of an upsell but oh well), and ... holy crap, my foot felt so much better in 2-3 days. They also host biweekly runs, including some sort of speed class with a coach that sounded cool. Parking: some spots right out front on Commonwealth. **UPDATE (that no one asked for): After a few runs in the Brooks, I can safely say they're better suited to your regular shuffle/recovery run, not so great if you want to do tempo/fartlek/race in them.

I ordered the Nike MaxFly spikes from Heartbreak Hill for my son when Nike was completely out of stock and other online running stores had sketchy online reviews. The customer service is top-notch - even though I placed the order late at night on Cyber Monday, the spikes arrived by Wednesday evening!! He got exactly what he wanted when we thought we wouldn't be able to find these anywhere in his size/desired color. We are so happy with the purchase. I will definitely keep them in mind for any future needs. HIGHLY recommend!!!!

Such a cool concept with this running workout class/gym. You can go run on your own or take a class (just running - deer dash or running and weights - killer 3s) They have the most amazing easy on your knees treadmills. I don't think I can ever step on a reg treadmill again. The coaches wear headsets and motivates you to run in different intervals. So glad I discovered this gem via class pass.

I had a ton of fun taking a running class here. The environment was surprisingly welcoming (I tend to be nervous at new gyms). They have lockers (bring a lock), restrooms, and changing rooms. My class (Killer 3s) was a great mixture between running and strength exercises. It was just what I needed. The teacher made an effort to congratulate me on attending my first class. I would definitely attend classes here more if I had an income right now :P

Worst display of customer service I have seen in a long long time. My friend and I walked into the store, and the 2 employees behind the desk did not even look at us when walked in. No form of greeting or acknowledgement whatsoever. After browsing for over 5 minutes, looking at shoes, picking them up, checking them out, nobody had come over to us to see if we needed help or wanted to try anything on. With that, I made my decision that this store did not deserve the sale. They lost two paying customers yesterday.

I ordered the wrong size Boston Marathon celebration jacket - they helped me find the perfect size and let me try it on to make sure it was exactly what I wanted before I left. I called for help the Thursday before race weekend, and they were still more than accommodating. We talked about fuel, body glide, socks, and anything I might need to make sure I make it to the finish line. It was an incredibly reassuring experience going into my first marathon, so thank you.

Wonderful, thoughtful customer service. I needed sneakers for a marathon that weren't available nearby. Heartbreak Hill shipped them with a handwritten note wishing me luck. The shoes ultimately didn't fit but it was an easy return and they stayed in touch via email about the reimbursement. Very positive experience and I will definitely order from here in the future.

Went by the Saturday morning of Marathon weekend. Doors were open early, which was great. They had some therapists doing some race prep for those interested. Available items were slightly limited and picked over, but that is most likely due to the Marathon.

I am not a runner. I have a bit of an aversion to running. I need someone to either yell at me or guide me through a class in order to commit to running. We all have our areas of weakness and this is mine for sure. Once a year, I get super motivated to start a running practice and I go out and buy really good running shoes and then run once and I'm done for the year. But I aspire to be a runner and so when a friend told me about the Killer 3's class at Heartbreak Hill Running Company, I became intrigued. The 45-minute class is a combination of running on the treadmill (combo of hills/sprints) and high intensity floor work. I liked that idea because I felt that it would allow me to build endurance on the treadmill so I signed up to try it. The class is super challenging. Lots of inclines and few sprints and some kettlebell work. But a nice balance of treadmill and floor work. There are people of all different fitness levels and ages in the room which is nice because I imagined that everyone was be an elite Olympic runner. The coach, Meg, was great. She greeted me and the other newbies in the class and showed us the treadmills before class started. She guided us through a challenging workout and I felt really good afterwards (my face was beet red but it was worth it). I would definitely try that class again. As a beginning runner, it made me feel very accomplished to be able to complete this class and I know if I am consistent, my endurance will grow. They also sell running shoes and other running supplies. So maybe the next time I buy running shoes, I'll buy them from Heartbreak Hill Running Company and actually commit to a more dedicated running practice!

Just started going for my chiropractor appointments associated with Wellness In Motion. Staff is friendly, space is clean, and they definitely comply with covid precautions & de-sanitize between each appointment. Brian is super friendly & supportive, a great chiropractor and helped me with my back pain while respecting my limitations. He practiced alternative techniques including cupping & acupuncture that I absolutely loved! Highly recommend him at Wellness in Motion :)

Indoor treadmill studio is perfect option for a cold or rainy day...or a beautiful day out when you really need a coach's motivation to get your workout in. The coaches are knowledgeable and the classes very challenging. Everything can be modified for ability. The store sells a great selection of athletic wear.

Super customer service here. There are treadmills available to test out the shoes and a two-week exchange policy. I came in with tendonitis after switching to a new brand, and was able to exchange the shoes easily, no questions asked!

Super patient staff: Stephanie helped me find a fantastic new pair of Brooks shoes after my old sneakers hit their mileage. Great selection, highly recommended: I'll definitely be back to try a class!

Nice people but their approach to running does not match many an older runner's needs. The music is loud, irritating and inappropriate ( some really appalling lyrics), the room is darkened (for what purpose? I almost fell off a number of times because I was disoriented), the coach shrieks into her microphone (it's a tiny space; we don't need this kind of sensory overload), there are strobe lights which makes one feel crazy. I wish this hadn't been my experience but there you have it. A friend of mine had the same experience and she's in her 20s. She couldn't take the overwhelming sights and sound and she's super young! Maybe offer alternative classes that are catered to those in need of some Zen during a run?

HHRC is a runner's running store. They carry only shoes based on how good they are to run in. They carry clothes based on how well they work when you're running an hour in the heat, pounding the pavement in the depth of winter, or whatnot. And the best thing is they actually know the stuff they sell. They know the difference between different shoes and they do the old world thing of actually standing by it--they'll take it back if it didn't work. This is the real benefit of this place. If you want a shoe to train for a marathon with or to safely start running from zero the people here all run and often coach. The chain store at the mall may have more colors, but the disinterested retail guy won't be able to weigh the pros and cons of minimal shoes or recommend body glide.

I found this place through ClassPass for their treadmill class. I normally hate running but wanted to improve my cardio fitness. After taking one class (Deerfoot Dash), I was in love! You can go at your own pace and there is a lot of variety in the classes (hills/sprints/other things I forget the names of haha). I take class once a week now and look forward to it every time which was surprising to me because I really don't like running. There's something about having someone tell me what to do vs running by myself where I typically will just give up and start walking. I normally attend Amanda's class, she is a fantastic coach, very encouraging and clear with her instructions. I'm sure all the other coaches are great too, I just attend Amanda's class because the time and day suit my schedule best. The front desk staff are always super friendly. My first time visiting they gave me a quick tour of the place. 100% recommend this place for all skill levels (some people who attend the classes are training for marathons!)

I love the Heartbreak Hill Running Company stores (Newton, South End and Cambridge) in general but the Cambridge one is really special. Their running studio challenges me and actually makes spending time on the treadmill fun. Their trainers are knowledgeable and really passionate about the sport of running. After only a few classes I have seen an improvement in my speed and endurance. Great classes!