Stretching is often overlooked, or seen as only a warmup to a workout. But, despite what so many of us think, stretching is important for people of all ages and fitness levels! If you ever feel stiff or achy or just want to enhance your flexibility and overall well-being, assisted stretching is the way to go!
Assisted stretching has a whole range of benefits that can improve your physical and mental health! But how does it work, and what can you expect during a session at Stretch Lab? Let’s explore the process, the tailored techniques our Flexologists use, and how this personalised approach can help you achieve your wellness goals.
Why Stretch In The First Place?
Too many of us spend a large portion of our day sitting down, which can easily lead to tight muscles, poor posture, and limited flexibility. Stretching regularly when paired with regular exercise, offers an opportunity to mitigate those effects.
- Improves Flexibility & Range Of Motion: Regular stretching helps lengthen your muscles, which over time, will allow for greater flexibility and improved range of motion. By improving the mobility of adhesions and scar tissue, stretching can release tightness and increases muscle fiber length, allowing you to move more freely and with less effort in your everyday activities; whether that’s reaching for something high or bending down to tie your shoes!
- Improves Posture: Many of us develop poor posture from hours of sitting or hunching over, which causes our muscles to become shortened and tight. Stretching helps correct these imbalances by loosening the strained muscles in key areas such as the neck, shoulders, and back. This allows your body to realign naturally, helping you stand taller, move more comfortably, and maintain better posture throughout the day.
- Prevents Injuries: Flexible muscles are less prone to strain or injury. By regularly stretching, you’re helping to protect yourself from common injuries, like muscle pulls or joint sprains.
- Promotes Better Blood Circulation: Stretching encourages blood flow throughout your body, ensuring that your muscles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow and recover after exercise or daily movements.
- Improves Sleep Quality: Stretching helps to relax tense muscles, release built-up tension, and calm the mind, making it easier to unwind and prepare for sleep. When you sleep better, your body has more time to repair and regenerate, supporting both your physical health and mental well-being and leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day!
Can I Stretch On My Own?
Stretching on your own is not only possible but also a great habit to incorporate into your daily routine. And, with a little guidance from our experts, you can perform basic stretches at home, at work, or even while watching TV which will help to improve your overall mobility.
For those looking to deepen their stretches, improve flexibility, or target specific areas of tension, assisted stretching with a professional can be a game-changer. Our trained Flexologists can take you through a tailored stretching routine to help you stretch safely and effectively, guiding you on proper form and technique.
Read More: Beyond Exercise: How Stretching Completes Your Fitness Routine
What Is Assisted Stretching?
Assisted stretching is a type of flexibility training where a trained flexologist helps to stretch and manipulate your body and muscles. Unlike traditional stretching, where you control the movements, assisted stretching allows a specialist to gently guide your body into deeper and strategically targeted stretches.
This approach can help you achieve greater flexibility, release tension in problem areas, and improve your overall range of motion—making it perfect for anyone, from those who sit for hours or are just getting back into fitness, to weekend warriors and high-performance athletes.
Benefits of One-On-One Assisted Stretching
- Stretch Further: With the help of a professional, you can stretch deeper and more effectively than on your own. Assisted stretching allows you to reach your muscles' full potential, improving flexibility and range of motion beyond what solo stretching can achieve.
- Target Hard-to-Reach Muscles: There are areas of the body that are tricky to stretch by yourself, like your back or shoulders. One-on-one assisted stretching helps target those hard-to-reach muscles, ensuring a more balanced, full-body stretch.
- Get Expert Advice and Guidance: Our Flexologists will provide a personalised stretching routine based on your body’s unique needs, helping to educate you on the correct techniques to get the most out of your workout
- Motivation & Consistency: It’s easier to keep up with a regular stretching routine when you have someone to motivate and guide you. Attending assisted stretching sessions at StrechLab helps you maintain consistency, which is essential for long-term flexibility, recovery and overall muscle health.
- Learn More About Your Body: One-on-one sessions help you gain a deeper understanding of how your body works, where your pain or tension is coming from, and how you can improve your overall mobility.
- Safer Stretching: Working with our Flexologists ensures that you’re stretching in a safe and controlled environment. They can prevent you from overstretching, which can lead to injury, and ensure your body stays in proper alignment throughout the process.
- Alleviate Muscle Tension: Feeling tight or stiff? Using techniques like proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) assisted stretching applies controlled pressure and gentle stretches that encourage muscle fibres to relax, improving blood flow and relieving any discomfort.
- Reduces Stress: Assisted stretching doesn’t just benefit your muscles—it helps your mind, too! Assisted stretching can lower stress by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals while promoting relaxation and a sense of calm. Stretching requires focus, so as you concentrate on your movements and breathing, it encourages mindfulness and helps clear your mind.
- Speeds Up Recovery: Whether you’re looking for some recovery after an intense workout or have suffered an injury, assisted stretching can promote faster recovery by improving circulation and reducing muscle stiffness. Your body is then above to recover faster and the risk of tightness or soreness the next day is reduced.
Read More: Enhance Your Flexibility: Enrol in Our Stretch and Flexibility Class
What To Expect During A Stretch Class
When you book a session at StretchLab, you can look forward to a personalised session that caters to your specific fitness goals. In a one-on-one session, you’ll spend either 25 or 50 minutes with a trained Flexologist, who will customise your stretching routine to fit your individual needs or join a group class for a more generalised workout to suit all fitness and flexibility levels.
Your session will typically begin with a brief assessment, where the Flexologist will discuss your goals, any problem areas, and specific muscle groups you want to target. Then, they will guide you through a series of stretches, applying gentle pressure and support to help you achieve optimal results.
At Stretch Lab, you can expect a calm and inviting atmosphere where you can relax and focus on your body. Your Flexologist will offer expert advice and encouragement, ensuring that each stretch is safe and effective. By the end of your session, you’ll feel more flexible, relaxed, and ready to take on whatever comes next!
Stretch Your Way to Better Health
Incorporating stretching into your routine can unlock a wealth of benefits for both your body and mind. From improved flexibility and reduced muscle tension to enhanced recovery and stress relief, stretching is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their overall well-being.
Stretch Lab is the go-to boutique fitness studio for assisted stretching sessions.. With locations across Australia and a team of certified Flexologists available, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Book your first class with us today!