South Australia’s First StretchLab is revolutionising how you stay mobile

As an occupational therapist and exercise physiologist, Adriana Gagliardi has spent her career educating clients on the importance of regular exercise and stretching. But she’s all too aware of how easy it is to neglect. 

“I'm also a boxer, so I train a lot and sometimes I overtrain and don't put as much time into my recovery or stretching as I should,” she admits. So, when she heard about a new type of studio dedicated entirely to stretching, her ears pricked up. “I thought ‘that's awesome, that's exactly what I need!’” 

There are over 250 StretchLab venues in the USA, but it’s a relatively new concept in Australia and when StretchLab Norwood opened its doors on December 19 last year it was the first dedicated stretching studio in Adelaide. 

Prospective clients start off by using the MAPS 3D body scanning system to create a holistic picture of their mobility, posture and symmetry. That allows the team to design a customised stretching program tailored to their individual needs, and monthly follow-up scans to ensure that they’re getting the outcomes they want. 

Next, clients are paired with one of the eight in-house flexologists for 25 or 50 minute stretching sessions that work on a range of muscles and joints. These expert practitioners have a range of backgrounds including personal training, massage therapy and circus performance (“they’re really into their flexibility”), which means they can cater to a wide range of needs. 

That adaptability means that one month into the business, Gagliardi has already seen everyone from professional athletes and kids following in their footsteps, to construction workers battling soreness and office workers who spend long days at their desks. 

“The reason stretching is so important is when you have similar movement patterns, you develop muscular imbalances,” she explains. “That means you’ll get tight if you’re doing strength training in a particular position, or if you’re an office worker keeping the same posture all day.” 

Unsurprisingly, the best way to counteract that tightness is stretching, and “even people who aren’t doing anything physical need to stretch regularly as they get older to maintain mobility, flexibility and joint movement… the beauty of StretchLab is that it isn’t just for people who train; it can benefit everyone.” 

To celebrate the launch of Adelaide’s first StretchLab, customers can get 20% off memberships for the rest of January, and first-time visitors will receive a complimentary 25 minute stretch.