is assisted stretching worth itis assisted stretching worth it

While normally I'd be intimidated as hell to let a ripped modern dancer manhandle my non-muscles, I found myself chatting easily with Dubose about everything from our careers to our mothers. Our content is for informational purposes only. Having an experienced professional assist with the stretching could be extremely beneficial.. The studios promise to elongate muscles, rejuvenate the body, and fend off injuries with little more than a 30-minute sesh. Using a variety of techniques, they assist clients of all shapes and sizes, and tailor the one-on-one sessions to their specific needs. Hope that helps! Any thoughts on if you need to keep it up once you get to a limberness you are happy with? Ive called corporate, and the studio (no luck). Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 2009). But it's not quite the same as having someone assist and lead you through a routine, and I certainly don't think I would stretch for 30 minutes on my own. Unfortunately, to maintain flexibility for the long term, you need to continue with stretching (whenever thats on your own, or with StretchLab). "People are feeling a little beat up from all of the working out and training," Crosby says. Fresh from an intense cross-country trip, which included five flights and eight amusement parks, my husband and I were eager to set up an appointment to see what it was all about. Two days later I was clad in yoga pants for my first assisted stretching session at Power Stretch Studios in Montclair, NJ, founded by Hakika Dubose, a professional modern dancer whose credits include busting her moves on 30 Rock. PNF stretching influences the neurological input to a muscle through specialized receptors called muscle spindles and golgi tendon organs. Plus, regular assisted stretching in the long term can also reduce stress and improve your posture. As a whole, the StretchLab is worth every penny, especially for the people who need to stretch more often but don't have the skill to do . After the therapist used the Hypervolt on me, he led me through a series of stretches focusing on my hips, quads and upper body. "It depends on assessment [by a physical therapist] as well, and length tension relationships [within each person's physiology].". For the stretch lab session, I usually come in wearing regular workout clothes, yoga pants, gym shorts, and, T-shirts. How assisted stretching helped me learn about my body I headed to Stretch Lab on a Friday morning and, after filling out a form to address any injuries and what I wanted to get out of my session, Molin took me to a bed not dissimilar to those used for massage. but I felt like a different person even after just 10-15 minutes of the specialist helping pull and stretch my arms and upper body in ways I could never do on my own. FWIW, stretch studios don't sell themselves as replacements for physical therapy. While it may seem similar to traditional stretching, there are a few key differences that make stretch therapy unique. Hey, Suzette! . Mercey Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. The advantage of static stretching is that you can do it anytime during the day, without having to book a session. Students in Cheryl Drakeford's third-grade class in Newark are trying Khanmigo, a new A.I.-assisted tutoring bot. Today I will give you my honest review about row house fitness, how effective was this class, and Stop Soreness After Yoga (Science-based methods). "Contrary to popular belief, there's no consistent evidence that stretching helps prevent injuries," says Dr. Tenforde. With assisted stretching, you use a friend, trainer or teammate to apply an external force to help with your stretches, explains Kuharik. Companies like California-based Stretch Lab, New York's Stretch*d, Motion Stretch, and other similar studios all offer one-on-one assisted stretching with a coach (more or less, a professional helping you to stretch-more on the different kinds of pros you'll find later). Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Stretching is even touted as a way to lower your. Assisted stretching is a form of passive stretching, which uses an outside force to stretch your muscles. I tried StretchLab for the first time over 4 weeks ago and decided to get a membership almost immediately. My Dr of PT is baffled, also. Customer satisfaction and service have been top-notch at my location in West Bloomfield. This is a BETA experience. And there is certainly research to support the use of chiropractic soft tissue work such as active release technique-a massage-like, stretching therapy performed by a chiropractor to break up scar tissue and restore proper range of motion. Restaurants, car wash, parking attendants, hair stylists, etc. Stretching studios: Do you need what they offer? - Harvard Health StretchLab Flexologists use MAPS scans to assess mobility and posture and based on the results they design full-body stretches and percussive therapy treatments using the Hypervolt massage gun. Its not the owners not paying well enough, its the way they system works the owners arent expected to pay them all their income. ClassPass reported data in their 2019 Fitness Trends that showed a nationwide increase in users booking recovery and restorative services, like cryotherapy, sauna, massage and meditation. So if youre coming to the StretchLab cold, it doesnt take a magician to understand that 50 minutes of stretch session almost guarantees a better score (a good tactic for selling more sessions and memberships). That said, I appreciate your candor and research as to whats helpful and whats not. Stomachs growl, noses run, and yawning is contagious: Ever wonder why? In fact, I admit to having multiple Proustian flashbacks in one single session. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Thought it was great but was blown away by the costs and really was wondering if it is worth the money. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Then we moved into the stretching room, where she began moving me through a series of gentle, yet probing stretches. Ill be hoping for one to open in my immediate area. 81 Prime Day Fitness Deals You Can Shop Through Today. Appropriate feedback is crucial for determining the adequate amount of stretch, which is detected through an intact and functioning nervous system.. I was having coffee with a friend one recent Saturday when she said, "Did you hear about that new stretching studio that opened? 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Once the MAPS scan is done, I get to see the score from my mobility, muscle activation, posture, and symmetry. If I was experiencing an injury or pain, I would probably go more often (in addition to physical therapy). It includes multiple techniques, with two being the most popular: the contract-relax method (CR) and the contract-relax-antagonist-contract method (CRAC). Here is what my typical session at the stretch lab looks like. I had my first session today. I would go ahead and visit your local studio for a few sessions (then take it from there.) Tipping really? The idea is to make sessions (often 30 minutes or so) a part of your regular schedule just like your workout classes-but supporters of assisted stretch also claim you'll reap the benefits from a one-off session, too, like you would a sports massage. Perhaps, for this reason, were seeing more services that aim to help us turn things around. It is. When I brought this to the owners attention in a letter addressed to the owners they simply kept the letter to themselves and handed the problem over to a very inexperienced problem-solving general manager who had never read the letter and she promptly disregarded any of my concerns and instead went directly to attacking me?!? Policy. Lie down face-up on the floor with both of your legs straight and have your partner kneel at your feet. That's not to say recovery isn't important. Here are the options: Over the years, Ive come to rely on yoga, massage and chiropractic treatments to shake off the tension and stress that can build up every day. alleviate muscle tightness from the lower back). This may be due to the muscles being stretched too far outside of their capacity, causing inhibition following the stretching, the article states. By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Hi, Michael. StretchLab Opens 150th Studio and Reaches 500 Signed Franchise As it's administered by a fully trained Stretchologist, assisted stretching is a safe and painless way to improve the wellbeing of joints and give you back your flexibility, without having to go to physical . Here is the breakdown of StretchLab membership and session cost. While your stretch experience will vary depending on where you go, typically you will start with talking to the stretch specialist who will ask you if you have any pain, areas you want to work on or other concerns. Required fields are marked *. This can cause the hip flexors and low back to become stiff and tight, Buckingham says. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. "A physical therapist has a doctorate degree and is extremely experienced on anatomy, physiology, and detecting dysfunction," says Weiss. Assisted stretching is also known in the physical therapy space as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation or PNF stretching. clarify if it's worth your time and money. Some stretch sessions integrate the use of a massage gun like Theragun or Hypervolt. Your email address will not be published. If your body needs some extra TLC, there are other, less trendy ways to get it namely, physical therapy and chiropractic services, or even massage therapy. It just felt better to move and walk around, which was a huge benefit. This type of stretching is known as assisted stretching or partner-assisted stretching and can be beneficial when it comes to increasing your flexibility and range of motion. BONUS! What are these studios offering, and will you benefit from this focus? So, whether youre recovering from an injury or just want some relief from chronic back pain, is this something you should try? Whether your head is bowed over a desk all day, youre recovering from an injury or training for your next marathon, StretchLab could be a good option for improving range of motion, increasing flexibility and relieving pain. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. These tips can help you get the most out of at-home morning stretches or other flexibility routines. Aches and pains I barely noticed before or had been used to were gone. Side-lying stretch: "Lying on your right side, bend your knees and bring your arms out in front of your chest like an alligator's mouth," suggests Decker. The only difference between the groups was the frequency of the stretching. The biggest revelation came lying flat on my back, as Dubose helped me roll my shoulders back in their sockets, toward the floor, opening my chest to an unheard of degree. Is assisted stretching worth it? - Profound-tips While we do go through in-house training (the Flexologist program was just recently approved as accredited), we also have to have a degree in some type of health/body movement like Exercise Science, Kinesiology, etc., as well as a certification -like personal training, etc. Get editors' top picks of the day, the most interesting reviews, news stories and videos. Thats followed by flexing the lengthened muscle as hard as you can for five to 10 seconds.. IRVINE, Calif.-- ( BUSINESS WIRE )-- StretchLab, a leading assisted stretching studio, announced today it has recently signed its 500 th franchise agreement and opened its 150 th studio this month . The difference between 25 and 50-minute StretchLab sessions is the longer class offers extensive full-body stretch that focuses on all major muscle groups. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Great review. The goal? The contract-relax-antagonist-contract method works similar to the contract-relax method, however, the person who lays down contracts the opposite muscle to the muscle thats being stretched. Go for itjust remember there's no guarantee that it'll actually accelerate your performance. MillennialHawk is a motivator for your fitness journey. The nation's first and largest practitioner-assisted stretching company will continue rapid expansion throughout the United States in 2022 News provided by Stretch Zone 04 Jan, 2022, 10:00 ET I cant get the same results with stretching on my own and Im learning more about the proper form for stretching. As a whole, StretchLab is more effective than static stretching because they use PNF techniques and percussion therapy. Minimum wage for a job that expects tips can be as low as $2.13/hour. "I think there's a place for stretching, however you do have to identify which areas need stretching," King said. While everybody's different, assisted stretching can often help you gain a greater range of motion. Nationals win rain-suspended series opener vs. Cardinals - MLB.com During the sit and reach, I was straight back in the third grade, with two long, blond braids hanging down my back. Power Stretch - Ideal for fitness enthusiasts and those with a higher level of flexibility, this advanced group class combines dynamic, static and PNF stretching, along with trigger point balls, foam rollers and other stretch tools to provide deep stretching and performance recovery. Intentionally helping another person to kill themselves is known as assisted suicide. Stretching a highly-debated topic in the fitness industry with mixed research. And, remember, if you're ever in pain, schedule a medical appointment rather than a stretch sesh. 2017). Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. The company doesn't list session prices on their website, instead requiring potential clients to contact one of their studio locations just to request a session. All you need is a partner whether thats a family member, teammate or gym buddy to help guide you through stretches. For starters, improving your mobility and range of motion can be extremely helpful for a variety of reasons. Do you think stretch lab will be able to help in a golf specific sense? Lets clear up some confusion on stretching. If you decide to try assisted stretching offered at a studio, listen to your body, and make sure you communicate how you're feeling with the therapist working on you, Dr. Tenforde advises. It is a nice way to "warm up" the muscles prior to a stretch," says Jim Donnelly, CEO of Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy. Relax the muscle for five to 10 seconds, and then repeat three to four times. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. When it comes to StretchLab, I was getting stretched, and it did help me to relax my muscle tension. And our membership options are flexible, even if you're not. I think trying a couple of sessions to see how they work is always a good idea. He loves to experiment and share his successes and failures to help busy men and women who want to lose weight. When not writing, she enjoys reading and trying out workout classes all over New York City. While the one-on-one and group stretching sessions differ in some ways, StretchLab combines the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) approach with dynamic and static stretching to increase range of motion and maximize benefits during all stretch sessions. This type of stretching is called assisted stretching and it's like a massage: it feels good, partly because you don't have to do any of the work. After my first visit, I changed my membership for 25 minutes. Can Beetroot Powder Improve Athletic Performance? "I'm obsessed with stretching," Dubose told me. StretchLab Review (Is it worth the money?) - Millennial Hawk I was at an event where we did a workout class with a "mini stretch" session afterwards. By the end of January I had ONLY received TWO of my 4 pre-paid sessions. According to many studies, PNF stretching technique achieves the greatest gains in ROM (Sharman, Melanie J et al. Keep reading to find out more about my experience, how stretch sessions work and if it's worth investing the money in a session. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Stretch Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and How It Works - Healthline Older adults are particularly in need of improving and maintaining their flexibility in order to perform activities of daily living, Buckingham says. Then, once a month, its worth checking in for re-assessment. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Also, there was not a big difference between groups B and C, which shows that stretching more often (or even every day) does not mean better results. These simple, yet effective moves can help you limber up for sports, improve your balance and prevent falls, increase your flexibility, and even help relieve arthritis, back, and knee pain. Hope that gives you some peace of mind! Then theres the active form of assisted stretching, which experts tend to favor. I felt like the stretch specialists can help you stretch areas you don't know how to get to and can help you get a much deeper stretch than on your own. So it makes sense that people are paying professionals to help them learn to stretch and recover correctly. Youre better off just disciplining yourself and doing daily stretches. I actually work for a new StretchLab that is scheduled to open mid-Feb. This form of stretching can gently improve your range of motion. Only visiting the classes a few times might not address the underlying causes of pain and stiffness. What's the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia? I like PNF stretching a lot (mainly because it makes me feel like Im getting good results). (A 30-minute stretching session costs 55 bucks; a 60-minute session, $100.) As of today, the StretchLab franchise has over 180 locations in the U.S. and over 20 locations that are coming soon. Don't miss your FREE gift. However, if youre already spending time on regular stretching or mobility work, then the benefits may be insignificant. Also, several studies have shown that stretching appears to be equally effective, whether performed daily or 3 times per week. StretchLab offers assisted stretching to those who have weary, knotted muscles with a goal of improving flexibility, relieving pain and correcting imbalances in the body, among other benefits. Not so much. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. In my previous life, I was an exercise physiologist, working for British NHS, Canyon Ranch Tucson, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania Cruises. I've done two assisted stretch sessions now and can say they've definitely helped me realize how much more I need to stretch and how someone could benefit from regular assisted stretching. If youre already flexible and youre looking for more progress, I recommend doing yoga, not the StretchLab. Thanks to the influx of boutique studios, classes, and race participation over the past several years, weekend warriors and fitness junkies alike are now flocking to studios like .css-38knzi{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-38knzi:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#F3B032;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}Stretch Zone and Stretchlab for classes and one-on-one stretching sessions designed to help them recover from their intense workouts. Hi Michael and Lisa! Having a partner help you stretch can prevent injury and lead to an increased range of motion. Plus, please remember that assisted stretching allows for a deeper stretch, compared to do-it-yourself (I will compare the two later on in this article). You can see exactly where your weak points are, while the StretchLab trainer helps to understand what stretches need to be done. I tried it to find out Stretch studios are a popular recovery trend, but they can be expensive. 01. Blame it on the digital age, when, hunched over Smartphones, the only joint we exercise regularly is our thumbs. 25 Minutes - A great option for those seeking to improve range of motion and freedom of movement, this shorter session concentrates on major muscle groups of the core, back, shoulders and hips. Shape Best In Fitness Awards 2023: Best Recovery Tools, The Best Recovery Tools for When Your Muscles Are Sore AF, How to Recover from Running a Race of Any Distance. Join FlexPoints today and earn points for every stretch session, every dollar you spend on merch, referring a friend, and more. Exercise specialist Ben Kuharik walks us through what assisted stretching is, its benefits and some basic moves to try. Assisted stretching is now a bonafide fitness trend. This prevents me from swinging at full capacity using my lower body. Assisted stretch sessions are a new recovery trend in fitness. It almost makes me feel like in a massage studio in Bangkok where you can see all the benches and happy people laying down and being stretched. One study in Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research found that static stretching actually reduced lower-body strength in a small number of moderately-trained men, while another small study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise concluded stretching had no effect on subjects athletic performance. How to Stop Comparing Your Current Body to Your Former One. Incorporating Assisted Stretching into a Personal Training Program Sometimes putting the person in a certain position, having them contract a certain way, giving them cues can help them understand what they should be feeling in a stretch, he says. offers assisted stretching to those who have weary, knotted muscles with a goal of improving flexibility, relieving pain and correcting imbalances in the body, among other benefits. And that new toehold scored me a stretching age of 25. It is expensive so I am wondering if it will help and perhaps wondering how long it would take to see some relief. I was wrong. Knowledge of tissue barriers and the end feel of different muscles and joints is essential for safe and effective stretching, Duncan says. The session starts right on time and I dont have to change my clothes (ensure you come with comfy gym clothes). Grayson Wickham, P.T., D.P.T., C.S.C.S., founder of Movement Vault, explains that active stretching, during which you contract the muscle being stretched, proves to your nervous system (which is designed to protect your muscles against excessive stretching) that you are safely able to get into that range of motion without getting injured. It also strengthens the muscle at the joints end range of motion, where the joint is typically weakest and most susceptible to injury. Abrams was 2-for-5 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in the Nationals' 7-5 win over the Cardinals in 10 innings Saturday in the first game of a split doubleheader. These simple, yet effective moves can help you limber up for sports, improve your balance and prevent falls, increase your flexibility, and even help relieve arthritis, back, and knee pain. It's your last chance to save on sneakers, smartwatches, and leggings. I think your experience shows that stretching is sometimes one of the easiest (and affordable) alternatives to release muscle tension and feel better in a relatively quick time. Wellness Should you pay someone to help you stretch? So, do you still want to try the stretch trend? By Natasha Singer. As Dubose bent my leg back to stretch my quads, suddenly I was sixteen and wearing Umbros at soccer practice. In Classrooms, Teachers Put A.I. Tutoring Bots to the Test If you have a previous or current musculoskeletal injury, you're much better off going to a physical therapist who has the expertise and training to treat you correctly. Then the specialist will lead you through a series of assisted stretches and help you stretch from head to toe. Experts still cant seem to agree whether or not stretching offers any tangible benefits for exercise performance and recovery. "This allows me to help you move beyond your natural resistance point.". You may opt-out by. Fit Flex - Groups will be guided through a series of seated and standing stretches, as well as working with stretching tools like yoga straps and foam rollers, to increase overall flexibility and range of motion. before you let someone stretch you. This is considered passive-assisted stretching and is akin to leaning forward into a hamstring stretch and resting there for a minute or two. I travel and you can freeze your membership so you dont lose out on your sessions. I did a demo 15 minute session at my new StretchLab (affiliated with my Club Pilates). But could all that possibly be true? Proponents of stretching-only classes claim they provide a deeper, more beneficial stretch than traditional flexibility classes, like yoga. Then your muscle naturally relaxes, Kuharik continues. In general, you should tip at StretchLab, especially if you feel like they did a great job and truly helped you to get rid of muscle tension and improved flexibility.