The StretchLab

A new studio in Nanuet is helping residents stay limber

The StretchLab in Nanuet, a wellness studio that celebrated their grand opening in October of 2024, is offering assisted stretch sessions to increase everyday mobility and overall wellness. Community Editor Sierra Lidén was offered the opportunity to experience a stretch session to share with readers what an assisted stretch session looks like.

The studio is a space that is clean without being sterile, and allows sunshine to flood in through large windows. Around the studio are low lying, exam-style tables with thick blue cushioning. These tables are where the assisted stretch sessions take place. 

At the beginning of the session, guests are instructed to perform several basic squats in front of an iPad that records their movements with an app called “MAPS”. The acronym stands for Mobility, Activation, Posture and Symmetry. With the recording, MAPS is able to provide an assessment of the four categories and provide a score from 1 to 100. The video assessment is then used at the start of each successive session to continue to track growth in the four categories. With this information, Flexologists can tailor a guest’s stretch session to their individual needs.

Flexologists are the “assisted” piece of the assisted stretching experience. Each Flexologist must have a related degree, ranging from degrees such as Massage Therapy, Personal Training, or Exercise Science. On top of their degree, each Flexologist must complete extensive StretchLab training of 20 hours online and 20 hours of hands-on, in person training.

The stretch sessions offered at the Lab are broken up into four distinct blocks. Block one and two are focused on the lower body, block three focuses on the upper body, and block four devotes itself to the neck and shoulder area. The StretchLab uses Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation technique, or PNF, to achieve the best stretch possible. The stretches should not include any pain, and the Flexologists are only looking to get guests to a stretch that is a six out of 10. After finding that six, guests are encouraged to push against the Flexologist for a few seconds before relaxing back into the stretch. This allows for a deeper stretch (and also feels amazing!). The Flexologist is also there to consistently remind guests to breathe throughout the session, which may sound obvious but is anything but.

Following the stretch session, it is recommended that guests drink large amounts of water. The feeling after the stretch session is similar to that of a massage; your body feels relaxed and light, a little bit sore, and a lot like you should absolutely chug some water.

These sessions are ideal for people of all ages and backgrounds. The studio has had guests ranging from twelve year old ballerinas looking to prevent injuries, to 89 year old grandmas wanting to feel better in their bodies. There is no age limit on being more flexible, improving posture, and alleviating tension.

The StretchLab is open Monday through Saturday and is located at 17 N Middletown Road in Nanuet. Those interested in learning more can call 914-729-6358 or go to https://www.stretchlab.com/location/nanuet.