Stretch Zone Sewickley, an assisted stretching brand, is now open.
There, certified professional stretch practitioners help clients one-on-one to improve range of motion and mobility through a series of proprietary stretch protocols, relieving stiffness and soreness, as well as improving mobility.
“It is different than massage because you are out in the open and it is come as you are and we do all the work for you,” said Jordan Levine, chief operating officer for Stretch Zone.
The stretch practitioners have degrees in kinesiology or exercise science. They are also certified through Stretch Zone.
“Stretching can help people move easier, play harder and even sleep better,” said Dwayne Phaure, who co-owns the Sewickley and Cranberry studios with his wife, Bridget Phaure. “We work with athletes seeking to prevent injury to individuals working to regain mobility.”
Edgeworth resident Chuck Moser is training for a half-marathon. He runs and works out and visits Stretch Zone two to three times a week, he said.
“I do a lot of active stuff and after a few stretches at Stretch Zone, my aches and pains went away,” Moser said. “It is important to stay active and I feel the benefits of workouts as well as the stretching. They do stretches at Stretch Zone you can’t do yourself.”
Right now, clients at Stretch Zone are not covered by insurance, but that might change in the future, Bridget Phaure said. She said some clients use their health savings account or flexible spending account.
Stretch Zone is in a new building at the corner of Beaver and Walnut Streets in Sewickley.
Sessions are 30 minutes. Before any stretching is done, there is a consultation to make sure it’s safe for the person. The first session is free and usually lasts an hour because it assesses any issues the client might have. Stretch Zone works with people who have a range of conditions and recommendsthat clients consult with their medical provider before starting any new activity.
Inside the 1,550 square feet studio, there are five padded tables.
Practitioners use an intensity scale of three, five and seven, where a three is a light stretch, five is medium, and seven is deep. The goal is to extend a person’s stretch “zone.”
Using a gradual approach provides a nice, deep stretch.
“It’s amazing to see the impact we can have — from teenagers to seniors, including members who start with cane support and progress to walking out on their own,” Bridget Phaure said. “It’s such a cool experience.”
Wearing workout clothes and socks is recommended. They don’t stretch anyone under the age of 14 or pregnant women.
The youngest client can be 14 years old and needs to be accompanied by a parent until the age of 18. They have a client who is 89.
Clients can pay per visit or choose a membership, which also gives them access to other locations. The cost could be as low as $40 a session, based on how frequently one visits, Bridget Phaure said.
Stretch Zone was founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, who wanted to help his grandfather with mobility.
Dwayne Phaure said he believes there is a market for more in this area.
“You need to have the right employees with the knowledge of people’s bodies,” Dwayne Phaure said.
When the Cranberry couple heard this new location was available, they said it was perfect because they have clients from Sewickley who have been traveling to Cranberry.
Jessica Cindrich of Sewickley heard about Stretch Zone on social media.
“This is great,” Cindrich said. “I feel so much better and so relaxed. It feels like I worked out but I’m not sweating. My muscles were moved, but not by me.”
General manager of the Sewickley location, Sam Montgomery, who has a kinesiology degree, said it is important to stretch the muscles, which allows the body to relax.
“We build on what you want to work towards,” said Montgomery. “It’s about range of motion to improve flexibility. We can help you rediscover the mobility and wellness you thought you had lost.”
Stretch Zone is nationally accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
