Stretch it to the limit: A review of Stretch Zone - Green Events (2024)

By Kathryn House

Introduction

For months, my 30th birthday has been looming over my head like a giant, black lead balloon. The big three-oh, over the hill, in fact, on February 14th (my birthday) I may as well gift myself a burial plot and be done with it. Though, I was growing older and wrinkly-er by the day, I dealt with my impending birthday the same way I deal with everything –by running. I decided one night in October, as I was staring into the bathroom mirror wondering if my pores had always been this big, that 2022 was the year I was going to run my first marathon. I am certainly not getting any younger and a marathon has been on my bucket list since junior high school (long before I even got into running) so why not run one now? I told myself as I put my credit card information into the Revel Rockies Marathon registration page, that if I could get my lip hairs waxed, I could do anything.

Stretch it to the limit: A review of Stretch Zone - Green Events (1)A Bit About Me

Growing up, I was fat child. Like 214 pounds at 13 years old (and probably younger but my family did not have a scale before I turned 13). I did not participate in sports, and I hated P.E. class with every fatty fiber of my being, not because I did not like sports but because at that weight, my body physically could not compete. Starting at age 14, I had enough of being the fat kid in school, of not being able to wear the trendy gaucho pants or the low-rise jeans because none of that came in a junior’s size nineteen, and I started to diet.

It took two years of trying before I finally started losing weight. At 16, I joined a gym and fell in love with the elliptical. By the time I was 18 I was down 60lbs and I started running with my mom (she has been running marathons since before I can remember) at the local trails.

Since 2010, I have run 1-3 half marathons a year. Presently, I try to hit the trails 5-6 days a week, running anywhere from 5-12 miles a day. Fortunately, I will not be starting my marathon journey from scratch. Unfortunately, I have never been kind to my body, so it is extremely important to me to run my marathon while building up my joints, muscles, and bones, rather than tearing it all down.

My Journey to the Start Line: Stretch Zone

It was this health-first mindset that pushed me to seek out businesses in Northern Colorado that cater to athletes and protecting their bodies. I was introduced to Stretch Zone through my work with Green Events and that same day, I was walking into their building ready to try it out.

Stretch Zone is an assisted stretching facility. Have you ever seen a football game and noticed on the sidelines the players laying on the ground with someone else contorting their leg to the side? That is assisted stretching.

My first impression of Stretch Zone was cleanliness and open space. Walking in, the reception desk is on the left and a small lobby is on the right. Looking back from there is a row of upscale massage chairs and even further back is where the stretching happens. Six stretch tables, three on each side of the room, are spaced out with plenty of room between each table.

The first person I met was Carli, the Stretch Zone manager. She was to be my stretch practitioner and it was clear from the get-go that she knew her stuff. In addition to her background in anatomy and physiology and her personal training certification, she attended Stretch Zone’s mandatory 4-week training conference in Florida.

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The first thing Carli had me do was settle into one of the massage chairs while she completed my client information sheet. She asked me the typical medical questions: my date of birth, any surgeries, any areas of concern, how long had I been running, etc. Then she moved on to my stretch goals (preventing injuries while training for my first marathon).

When the massage chair powered down, Carli explained that before she could begin stretching me, she would perform a range of motion test on me, or in plain language, a test of my flexibility. We moved over to the padded table at the back of the room where I laid down on my back, arms folded over my chest. After slowly fanning each of my legs toward my side, she determined that my range of motion was 45-degrees, or half of the ideal range. Carli said that her goal in today’s stretch session would be to release tightness and stiffness in my joints and muscles while my long-term care plan is to increase flexibility. Carli bent, pulled, pushed, and twisted my limbs in angles and contortions I did not know were possible. She stretched muscles that I did not know I had, and it felt amazing.

Here is what sets Stretch Zone apart from other assisted stretch facilities. Stretch Zone uses patented straps to assist their stretch practitioners and to ensure their clients receive the safest experience possible. What this means is that your stretch practitioner will strap either your whole body or part of your body to their table. Despite my first impression, the straps are comfortable and the main strap that runs across the hips has over an inch of padding.

My favorite stretch Carli did was the lower back stretch. She strapped my torso to the table, braced herself to pull, and draped me over the side of the table so that my head and upper body twisted off the stretch table. She did this on each side. My spine must have popped at least ten times and the release of pressure was immediate.

A week later, I went back to Stretch Zone and worked with a different stretch practitioner. Her name was J and she too had anatomy and physiology in her background and like every staff member, she also attended Stretch Zone’s mandatory 4-week training. Her technique used more power than Carli’s, but the stretches she performed were nearly identical. Compared to my first visit, I felt more release in tension and stiffness, and I am taking that as a sign that Stretch Zone is working for me.


A Professional’s Take on Stretch Zone

I met Dr. AJ Cohen, physical therapist, running coach, and owner of Up & Running Physical Therapy in November of 2022, two weeks after I signed up for my marathon. I hired him as my running coach, and he quickly became Yoda in my Jedi training.

After my second session at Stretch Zone, I reached out to AJ as I wanted to get a professional’s opinion on assisted stretching and its effect on running, recovery, and injury prevention. He cited “Impact of Stretching on the Performance and Injury Risk of Long-Distance Runners” by Baxter, 2017, in his answer, but to put it bluntly, assisted, static (long hold), stretching would NOT prevent injuries. There is no solid, scientific evidence to defend the long-held belief that muscles get tight or that stretching is the holy grail of injury prevention.

While some sports do require a lot of flexibility like dance or rock climbing, running does not. My bubble was burst.

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Would I Recommend Stretch Zone

Before I recommend or do not recommend Stretch Zone, I would like to iterate that I am not a medical professional, nor have I ever received any medical training. My review is about me, my body, and my experience.

I would recommend Stretch Zone as training resource if assisted stretching is something you enjoy and you do not have the expectation of leaving their facility cured of all aches and pains. Both J and Carli were able to gently move and stretch my body in a way that I would never be able to achieve on my own. In my book, I consider that a win and going to Stretch Zone is something I greatly enjoy. I come off the stretch table with my mood improved and ready to face life’s challenges.

Would I recommend Stretch Zone as a marathon training tool? I can only speak for myself, and I will absolutely be back to Stretch Zone. Does it help with injury prevention and recovery time? I have not done studies nor read multiple peer-reviewed articles but for me, it is better than not stretching. We all have many other activities outside of running and Stretch Zone is a form of self-care and I find it a relaxing way to spend time. The increased flexibility that assisted stretching provides could help with other sports, cross-training or improve your general ability to move through life. Take beer for example. Beer has not been shown to increase performance or decrease recovery time, but it is a post-run activity many runners still enjoy.

Three weeks and two stretch sessions later, I still feel like I could use good stretching, but I feel progress and that is what I am really searching for in my marathon training: not perfection but progress.

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Stretch it to the limit: A review of Stretch Zone - Green Events (2024)

FAQs

How much is a 30 minute stretch at Stretch Zone? ›

Introduction: The Stretch Zone Flex Membership (the “Membership”) offers two 30-minute stretch sessions per month for a monthly fee of $99. As an additional perk, Members may purchase additional sessions at a discounted rate of $50 per session.

Should you tip at the Stretch Zone? ›

Stretch Therapists, like other wellness professionals, may receive tips from clients as a token of appreciation for their services. These tips are typically a gesture of gratitude for the therapist's expertise and the quality of the stretching session.

Is Stretch Zone good for you? ›

ENHANCE PHYSICAL & ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Stretch Zone works with the nervous system to achieve lasting flexibility gains and has helped a variety of people from all backgrounds and ages, including pro athletes and celebrities, reach their athletic best.

What is the Stretch Zone method? ›

Stretch Zone works on building your “stretch tolerance” by continuously moving just outside your comfort zone – just to the point of resistance – and then returning to a comfortable neutral tension.

Are stretch sessions worth it? ›

Stretching studios and gyms make claims such as “perform better,” “eliminate chronic pain” and “relieve soreness.” But these claims are overblown, sports medicine doctors say. In fact, there is little evidence that stretching prevents injuries.

Do you have to pay for stretch it? ›

STRETCHIT app is free to download. Subscription may start with a free or paid trial. If you cancel your free trial not later than 24 hours before it expires, you won't be charged.

What do you wear to the Stretch Zone? ›

Be comfortable! Whether it's leggings, a loose tee, or your favorite workout gear, dress to feel at ease during your session. We're looking forward to welcoming you for your first free stretch!

Is the Stretch Zone covered by HSA? ›

Stretch Zone now welcomes HSA and FSA payments.

Does Stretch Zone drug test? ›

Does Stretch Zone have a drug test policy? No they do not.

What is similar to Stretch Zone? ›

Stretch Zone competitors and alternatives
  • Club Pilates. Chain of fitness and wellness centers. ...
  • Exhale Enterprises. Fitness, wellness and spa services. ...
  • Evolution Wellness. Chain of fitness & wellness centers. ...
  • SPENGA. Chain of fitness centers. ...
  • MOTION PT Group. Chain of fitness centers. ...
  • The BXNG Club. ...
  • Power Life. ...
  • Arch Amenities Group.
Jun 15, 2024

How long has Stretch Zone been in business? ›

Founded in 2004, and backed by science, Stretch Zone built a solid foundation prior to franchising in 2015. Studios continue to grow across the United States with the 200th studio location opened in July 2022 and a goal to reach 300 locations by July 2023.

What is the best stretch in the world? ›

At its core, the world's greatest stretch is a dynamic move done in a deep lunge position with one palm flat on the floor and the other twisting open toward the sky. It's part lunge, part plank, and part twist, and it involves your entire body.

How much do you tip at stretch zone? ›

Some tip and some don't. Tips are rare as they are not expected of clients. Most people don't tip but a few nice customers give us $10 or $20 which we appreciate.

What is the golden rule for stretching? ›

You should not feel pain when stretching” is the golden rule. You should stretch until you feel a stronger tension in the muscle being used, but it should not be painful. When there is pain, we are undoubtedly overstretching.

What are the 4 rules of stretching? ›

Here are the basic rules for a useful and safe flexibility workout:
  • Stretch as often as you can — daily, if possible. ...
  • Move into each stretching position slowly. ...
  • Notice how much tension you feel. ...
  • As you hold each position, take at least two deep breaths. ...
  • Never bounce.
Mar 26, 2016

How much is a stretch at Stretch Lab? ›

Experience the ability to move better and live better. First 5O-Minute Stretch & Mobility Assessment For Only $49! Located next door to Chase Bank.

Is 30 minutes of stretching good? ›

After corrective goals are achieved it can be good to stretch a couple muscles daily (usually posture correction stuff) and do the full stretching 1–3 x a week, depending on need. 30–60 minutes a day is ideal for a wide variety of issues, especially posture correction and injury correction.

What is a good amount of stretch? ›

Healthy adults should do flexibility exercises (stretches, yoga, or tai chi) for all major muscle-tendon groups—neck, shoulders, chest, trunk, lower back, hips, legs, and ankles—at least two to three times a week. For optimal results, you should spend a total of 60 seconds on each stretching exercise.

Can I pay someone to stretch me out? ›

You book a stretch session just like a workout class, and then a stretching specialist guides you through dynamic and assisted stretches. Many of the studios say the benefits range from better recovery, increased flexibility, range of motion and less stiffness and soreness.

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