Spring into better movement
The certified Flexologists at StretchLab in Rocky River guide personalized stretching sessions designed to help you move more freely and stay active doing what you love.
Spring is the perfect time to get back in the game. Assisted stretching at StretchLab Rocky River helps improve flexibility, reduce pain and keep your body performing at its best. (Photography: Francis Angelone)
Spring is here and it’s time to get back in the game, the game of life, that is. It’s been a long, sedentary winter and whether you’re looking forward to the golf course, pickleball or tennis courts, or simply keeping up with the kids and grandkids, you probably need a stretch first.
StretchLab in Rocky River offers assisted, one-on-one stretching by a certified Flexologist who guides you through your customized stretch, aimed at helping you reach your physical goals, whatever that might mean for you.
Your Flexologist, Your Partner
Sue is a StretchLab client who started coming here two years ago looking to increase her mobility.
“As I aged, I felt my mobility rapidly decreasing due to some hip and spine issues,” says Sue. “When I first came in, I saw lots of high school athletes being stretched and I thought, ‘is this the right place for me?’ I quickly learned that it was, and it still is. StretchLab has been life changing.”
Sue credits her Flexologists, who taught her about the physiology behind her issues. She learned what was actually happening in her body that was causing her mobility problems and more importantly, how they could help her to improve with assisted stretching.
“It has been educational and truly transformative physically,” says Sue. “The Flexologists continue to help me understand my issues and are so respectful of my needs with every stretch. It’s a personal relationship. We’ve gotten to know each other, and I look forward to every stretch.”
At your initial StretchLab visit, your Flexologist begins with a MAPS assessment determining Mobility, Activation, Posture and Symmetry to ensure they focus on the right muscle groups, and you get the most out of your session. The MAPS is regularly repeated to measure improvements in flexibility and strength and set future goals.
Flexologists have backgrounds in various health- and fitness-related fields like yoga, personal training, massage therapy and nursing. Their StretchLab training includes completing an extensive, three-tiered certification process including 60 hours of in-person workshops and 20-plus hours of hands-on training administering the 26 signature StretchLab stretches designed to address every muscle group in the body.
Flexologists use a stretching technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation that uses resistance to target your body’s tissues and ligaments and improve muscle elasticity. You are never in pain and always in control of your stretch.
“We’ll push you further than you’d push yourself, so you experience more significant results,” says General Manager and Flexologist Tara Pandos. “We can actually feel your muscles responding.”
Tara came to StretchLab after 20 years as a massage therapist.
“Massage had become very taxing on my hands, but I still wanted to help people who were experiencing pain,” says Tara. “Unlike massage, at StretchLab, we are physiologically changing the muscles, lengthening and strengthening them. This has enormous impact on flexibility and mobility, no matter where you are in your physical journey.”
Tara says that it’s the diversity of people who come to StretchLab that she enjoys.
“We work with young people looking to excel in a sport to elderly people wanting to remain independent at home. Everyone has a unique story and a different goal.”
Evan Lehmiller, a Flexologist since 2022, has a background in nursing.
“After my clinicals, I decided I wanted to help people by providing something preventive, not reactive,” says Evan. “I was a soccer player and understand the issues of athletes. I’ve worked with teenagers competing at very high levels all the way up to clients in their 90s. Everyone needs some help and we’ll get you places physically that you can’t reach on your own.”
Evan does a head-to-toe assessment and asks a lot of questions about how his clients move in daily life: your work, your activities, what’s important to you and your goals. It’s all important to your Flexologist and helps them help you.
A Team Effort
Even though your StretchLab experience is a one-on-one dedicated stretch, Flexologists work together and rely on each other for various experiences and knowledge.
“We all come from different backgrounds and that’s beneficial to all of us, and our clients,” says Evan. “This is a very community-driven environment. At StretchLab, everyone wins.”
“Speaking of benefits, a StretchLab membership can be considered a qualified expense under an individual’s Health Savings Account,” owner Jeanne Fuelling says. “Many members use those accounts to pay for their stretches.”
StretchLab has also partnered with American Specialty Health (Active & Fit, Active Direct and Silver & Fit Basic) and Optum (One Pass, One Pass Select and Aaptiv). All offer two or four sessions per month to eligible members.
“Come to StretchLab, hit your goals and together, we’ll make new ones,” says Tara. “No matter what life-stage you’re in, you can always perform better, and StretchLab will get you there.”
Call 216-353-2805 and mention Mimi for a 15% discount on a StretchLab membership.
StretchLab Rocky River
19306 Detroit Road, Rocky River
Stretch for Less!
New clients at StretchLab Rocky River are invited to book their first 50-minute Stretch & Mobility Assessment for only $49. Valid for first time clients only.
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