Perhaps one is familiar with Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four.
Maybe Plastic-Man from the DC
Universe or comics.
Or, how about the famous 1970s toy Stretch Armstrong.
And while these characters all boasted some amazing super powers of stretching abilities, after experiencing the StretchLab in Avon, a client may believe they can be part of a superhero team themselves.
StretchLab, located at 35972 Detroit Road, Unit Z-1, in the Avon Commons Shopping Center in Avon, is a concept born in California seven years ago and now is franchising nationwide.
Avon StretchLab owner Jeanne Fuelling knew she was on to a good thing when she began researching becoming a franchisee after several years in the corporate grind — something that “fueled” her passion for health and wellness.
“I worked in the corporate world for several years in the insurance industry, and I was losing any passion for being in the office or doing that any longer,” Fuelling said. “So, I decided to look into buying a franchise and I knew I wanted it to be in the dog industry or the nutrition arena.
“Fitness or pets. And, I worked with a franchise broker and saw this and was intrigued. The more I learned about StretchLabs, the more impressed I was and it’s just been a perfect fit.
“I just felt a passion about this, and I feel it’s something everyone should do and everyone can benefit from. Think of all the other things you could do if you’re able to stretch and reach and bend.
“It also is a great way to prevent injury as we age, because stiff joints or muscles, in the event of a trip or fall, is exactly how folks can get hurt. Flexibility and a good range of motion is just so beneficial.”
The Avon location is the second StretchLab Fuelling opened.
It has 10 employees and continues to look for qualified flexologists, who are required to be certified in some type of physical therapy, she said.
Flexologists also undergo very intensive training and group work before becoming an official StretchLab flexologist, Fuelling said.
The large space essentially is a wide open floor plan with several stretch tables throughout.
Upon greeting the front desk, and removing your shoes and donning grip socks, the client heads to their station and is matched with a professionally trained flexologist.
The flexologist works with each individual to not only discover what areas they feel need worked, but to provide a deeper stretch than what someone can typically achieve on their own.
The sessions
There are two main types of sessions.
The 25-minute maintenance session concentrates only on major muscle groups and can help alleviate muscle tightness, and it’s perfect for when clients don’t have enough time for a full body stretch and need muscle relief.
The 50-minute session is a deep and extensive full body stretch that focuses on all major muscle groups and extremities.
It’s great for improving range of motion and flexibility, while also loosening tight muscles and easing stiff joints.
They not only provide instruction and aid in the mobility and stretches, but also create custom “homework” for a client to continue in their stretching journey.
“It improves range of motion, but perhaps most importantly, it helps with mobility, especially as we age,” Fuelling explained. “There’s no one reason why people find themselves at StretchLab.
“Some clients are looking to improve their sports performance, some are looking to decrease joint pain and others simply just want a great stretch. No matter what brings you into StretchLab, the benefits of a professional assisted stretching routine are tremendous.”
She added that among those benefits of sports performance and reducing pain, it helps to improve posture, reduce stress and increase mental clarity.
Avon general manager Wendy Barrett said she’s seeing a lot of folks came in to get ready for golf, pickleball and tennis.
And, while she says there is no real “typical customer,” in Avon, they tend to see the main demographic between 40 to
60 and men and women alike.
“Maybe they’re feeling like they can’t quite do what they used to be able to do,” Barrett said. “They want to be able to keep doing what they’re doing and help to prevent injury.
“We see a lot of folks that are using stretch in conjunction with going to the gym, and part of their overall health routines. And when
folks come in regularly, they start to see improvements fairly quickly.”
StretchLab operates similar to a gym in that clients may choose the right program to suit their needs.
Also, StretchLab does offer simple one time stretches and does not require a monthly membership, though both Barrett and Fuelling stress that stretching should be part of a normal weekly routine to get the maximum benefits.
The space also sells a few small items, such as apparel and the grip socks.
It has a selection of CBD products from Avon’s Clean Remedies that help with joint pain and muscle stiffness, for example.
And, perhaps best of all, StretchLabs can be used as part of an individuals Health Savings Account.
For more information, call 440-536-8470.
