You’re just a stretch away from living your best life

By Mary Malik

Take a wild guess at America’s fastest-growing sport. Is that a collective “pickleball” I hear? That’s right. In 2023, 36.5 million people played pickleball at least once. And maybe the reason some played only once is because they didn’t stretch first. It’s a pickleball world, and we’re just living in it. So, let’s start stretching.

“It’s summer and everyone is playing golf and, of course, pickleball,” StretchLab General Manager Morgan Wantz says. “The importance of stretching cannot be overstated. StretchLab offers one-on-one assisted stretching to keep muscles healthy and flexible, improve balance, lessen joint pain and increase endurance. You’ll feel better and perform better on the pickleball court, golf course, or simply playing with the kids or carrying the groceries. StretchLab makes you better for life.”

Before you arrive for your first stretch, a StretchLab Flexologist reaches out to you about your goals, lifestyle or past injuries. A Flexologist is a trained expert with a background in fitness who completes an extensive, three-tiered certification process. Every certified StretchLab Flexologist has a background in a related field like exercise science, kinesiology, yoga or personal training.

“The Flexologist training includes extensive online coursework, in-person workshops and 20-plus practice hours administering StretchLab’s 26 signature stretches,” Flexologist Nikki Carnes says. “Your initial stretch begins with a MAPS assessment determining mobility, activation, posture and symmetry to ensure your Flexologist focuses on the right muscle groups and you get the most out of your session.”

StretchLab Flexologists are your partners. They rely on information from you including goals and limitations and work within these parameters to safely achieve those goals.

“People often don’t stretch because they’re afraid they might hurt themselves,” Nikki says. “Have you ever tried to stretch out your back after sitting a long time, or your quads before a run and thought, ‘uh-oh, I just did something bad.’ So, you don’t stretch again. We’ll teach you the right techniques for your body and your lifestyle.”

StretchLab recommends a 50-minute, 26-stretch initial session targeting every muscle group. Future sessions are personalized to focus on specific needs and the MAPS assessment is repeated periodically to measure progress.

StretchLab Flexologists point out that to benefit from a stretching program, consistency is key.

“We know just how far to push, and, believe me, it’s further than you would push yourself,” Nikki says. “And don’t worry about pain. We communicate with you the entire time and the client is always in control. Most people say they feel like they just had a massage.”

Nikki says that not everyone needs a 50-minute stretch. If you’re struggling with just one area, your Flexologist will target that area in a 25-minute stretch. Overstretching is real and can do more harm than good.

Although there isn’t a typical client, most want to ease the discomfort caused by a sedentary lifestyle or spending their days sitting or standing. When they want to do something active, they struggle with mobility or flexibility. The summer months can highlight those aches and pains as soon as you try to swing a racket or a golf club.

“Some clients also have past injuries that cause nagging pain, or they just haven’t moved much in a few months,” Morgan says. “Others have a specific goal they’d like to achieve, like driving their golf ball farther or scooping up those pickleball shots.”

Your StretchLab Flexologist will find out what’s causing your pain, weakness, imbalance or stiffness and target that with specific stretches. Stretches may also include massage therapies to aid with recovery and offer muscle tension relief. Members receive one free Normatec compression therapy session per month.

You may have seen StretchLab Flexologists at a local golf course or a corporate wellness event offering complimentary stretches.

“We do a lot of pop-up events in the community so people can experience the benefits of a proper stretch,” Morgan says. “It’s fun to hear the feedback we get after we give someone a stretch and then they play a round of golf. They are amazed at how their mobility has improved and they just feel better overall. And that’s after just one quick stretch. Imagine what a consistent, one-on-one stretching program can do for you.”

StretchLab members can also access the StretchLab app to build a personal home stretch routine. Stretching really can change your life.

StretchLab Fairlawn is located at 3763 West Market St., Suite E, in Fairlawn. To schedule your initial stretch or for information on how to include StretchLab flexologists at your next event call 330-664-9544, check the website StretchLab.com or email fairlawn@stretchlab.com.