StretchLab Rocky River offers revolutionary techniques to help enhance flexibility and strength, so you can perform your best

By Mary Malik

Stretching is good for us. It allows us to perform better at every activity we do and helps to prevent injury. But what you may not know is that at StretchLab Rocky River, you can have someone stretch for you. Your personal Flexologist, a trained and certified stretch professional, will personalize the stretch session according to your specific needs while targeting problem areas so you’re always at your best on the golf course or pickleball court, during marathon training or if you simply want to be able to get out of a chair without groaning.

“Often we don’t stretch because we’re not sure what to do and we don’t want to make existing pain worse or create a new problem,” says Owner Jeanne Fuelling. “I have always done yoga and I know the benefits of stretching and how it helps you function better in daily life. That’s why after years in the corporate world, investing in StretchLab made perfect sense for me.”

StretchLab Rocky River is currently one of 20 studios throughout Ohio and more than 400 in the country.

“StretchLab is a unique atmosphere,” Assistant Manager and Flexologist Tara Pandos says. “Flexologists learn from each other and work toward helping our members achieve their goals. It’s a special place.”

The Flexologist training process involves 60-plus hours of in-person workshops and more than 20 practice hours administering StretchLab’s 26 signature stretches. This is hand-son, extensive training, not a quick online certification. Every Flexologist must have a background in fitness and/or health.

“We work with people of all abilities and needs,” says Tara. “We get a lot of golfers, pickleball players, tennis players and athletes of all ages because we customize the stretch. We are your partners. We find out why you’re struggling and fix it so you can perform at your best.”

StretchLab recommends a 50-minute initial stretch session that targets each muscle group and identifies your specific needs. Future sessions can then be a full 50 minutes or 25 minutes. Your Flexologist will target a specific area during a 25-minute stretch. Overstretching can do more harm than good.

“There used to be a theory born out of the bodybuilding world that you shouldn’t stretch because you could injure yourself,” says Coco Gerard, area manager at StretchLab. “At StretchLab, your Flexologist will utilize proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), a stretching technique using resistance to target your body’s tissues and ligaments and improve muscle elasticity. You think you’ve stretched before, but wait until you try StretchLab.”

Before arriving for your first stretch session, an associate will reach out to you about your goals, lifestyle, past injuries and other helpful information. Your initial stretch appointment begins StretchLab’s proprietary MAPS assessment, determining Mobility, Activation, Posture and Symmetry, ensuring they focus your stretch on the right muscle groups. You get the most out of your session and your Flexologist then monitors your progress monthly.

“It’s helpful to have this tool to assess where you started, where you are now and set goals for the future,” says Tara. “And we celebrate every level of your progress. Not everyone is an elite athlete. Most people just want to feel better. We get you there and that’s something to celebrate.”

Most clients want to ease their discomfort caused by a sedentary lifestyle and then struggle with mobility and flexibility when they want to do something active. The simplest of activities can cause nagging pain. But don’t worry about your stretch being painful.

“The client is always in control,” Jeanne says. “We will push you further than you would push yourself, but we get you there without pain. That’s why we work off a tension scale of one to 10 and continuously ask for feedback.”

“In our small retail section, we offer clothing and have partnered with Clean Remedies, a local company offering CBD recovery products,” says Jeanne.

“Taking care of yourself at home and continuing to stretch using our member app and recovery therapies helps members achieve optimal results. No matter how limited in mobility you think you might be, we’ll get you moving again. And we’ll be right there to celebrate as you continue to progress.”

StretchLab Rocky River is located at 19306 Detroit Rd. in Rocky River. To schedule your initial stretch and get more information call 216-353-2805, visit StretchLab.com or email rockyriver@stretchlab.com.