Should You Use StretchLab?

In the quest for a pain-free, agile body, mobility training has emerged as a game-changer. Gyms have shifted their focus toward rehabilitation, recovery, and stretching, and we think that’s a great thing. However, with opportunity comes the potential for greed and overpromised results. For instance, some facilities may promise immediate and miraculous results, which can be misleading and unrealistic.

StretchLab is one of the country’s most sought-after stretching and mobility facilities, but should you spend your hard-earned dollars there?

We don’t think so, so let’s dig into why.

The Impermanence Of The Stretch: Why Short-Term Gains Don’t Last

StretchLab and similar facilities often rely on passive stretching techniques. While these methods can feel good at the moment and aim to decrease pain and tension, it’s essential to be aware that their effectiveness in creating lasting mobility improvements is limited. Here’s why:

• Neuromuscular Adaptation: Your body is a master of adaptation. When held in a passive stretch for a short duration, your nervous system kicks in a protective mechanism called the stretch reflex. This reflex causes your muscles to contract slightly, limiting the actual stretch achieved. Over time, your body becomes accustomed to these passive stretches, diminishing their effectiveness in creating long-term change. StretchLab uses short-term strategies to overcome the stretch reflex, so it feels better at the moment. However, tricks like PNF stretching won’t make lasting changes to your body, which is precisely what you’re looking for when going to a place like StretchLab.
• Lack of Tissue Engagement: Passive stretching doesn’t actively engage the nervous system and musculature. The stretch might not fully address deeper restrictions within the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding your muscles and joints. These fascial restrictions can significantly limit mobility, and passive stretching often fails to address them. Thus, we need to eventually put a significant load into those tissues to make change, and you won’t get that at StretchLab. Without this engagement, the deeper fascial restrictions may not be effectively addressed, leading to limited mobility.

The Power Of Loading: Why Movement Matters More Than Just Stretching

Motive Training takes a different approach, focusing on principles of Functional Range Conditioning (FRC). FRC goes beyond simply lengthening muscles. It incorporates active movements and controlled loading to create a more impactful and lasting effect on your mobility. FRC is a system of training that includes various techniques to improve joint health, mobility, and overall movement quality. This approach, which actively challenges your body’s nervous system and musculature, is key to creating lasting mobility improvements.

• Neuromotoric Re-Education: FRC movements actively challenge your nervous system and musculature to adapt functionally. This active engagement is a key part of your commitment to retraining your body’s movement patterns, improving control and stability throughout your entire range of motion.
• Stimulating Tissue Remodeling: By applying controlled loads through specific movement patterns, FRC techniques stimulate the breakdown and reformation of fascial tissue. This process can help to break down adhesions and restrictions within the fascia, ultimately leading to greater mobility and improved joint health.

Beyond The Stretch: Expertise Matters For Lasting Results

While StretchLab positions itself as a one-size-fits-all solution, the reality is that mobility is a complex issue. Individual needs, postural imbalances, and injury history all play a role in determining the most effective mobility approach. Here’s where Motive Training excels:

• Comprehensive Assessments: At Motive Training, our certified coaches conduct in-depth assessments to understand your unique movement patterns, limitations, and goals. This personalized approach ensures that your mobility program targets your specific needs, making you feel valued and understood in your mobility journey. The importance of the first session at Motive Training cannot be overstated, as it includes a comprehensive assessment to tailor a stretching program to individual needs. If you want to read more about our Functional Range Assessment (FRA), you can do so here.
• FRC-Certified Coaches: Unlike StretchLab trainers, our coaches are highly skilled and FRC-certified. This rigorous training equips our team with the knowledge and skills to design safe and effective mobility programs based on the latest scientific principles. Our expertise will give you the confidence that you are in good hands and on the right path to improved mobility. We understand how to assess movement dysfunction and use FRC techniques to address it effectively.

Demystifying Mobility: Why Barrier To Entry Matters In Your First Session

StretchLab positions itself as an accessible option for those seeking improved mobility. However, the ease of becoming a StretchLab trainer raises questions about the depth of knowledge and expertise provided. This lack of a strong educational barrier can lead to missed diagnoses and potentially ineffective stretching techniques.

Furthermore, StretchLab employs Fascia Stretch Therapy™ (FST) protocols, which its trainers often misunderstand. In fact, StretchLab is mainly based on FST, but as you can see from the FST website, you can’t learn this stuff in a weekend seminar and immediately treat people for their mobility restrictions, injuries, and pain points.

Motive Training: Investing In Your Long-Term Movement Health

Motive Training understands that mobility is not just about feeling good at the moment; it’s about creating lasting change and empowering you to move with confidence.

Our FRC-based approach addresses the root causes of movement dysfunction, offering a sustainable path to lasting mobility improvement. This focus on long-term results will assure you that your investment in Motive Training is worthwhile, providing you with peace of mind about your future mobility.

• Improved Performance: Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a dedicated athlete, improved mobility translates to better performance in your chosen activity.
• Reduced Pain: By addressing fascial restrictions and retraining movement patterns, FRC techniques can help alleviate chronic pain and stiffness.
• Enhanced Injury Prevention: A stable and mobile body is less injury-resistant. FRC can help prevent future injuries by improving movement mechanics and addressing imbalances.
• Greater Confidence: Moving with ease and freedom naturally boosts your confidence. When you feel comfortable and capable in your body, it shows in all aspects of your life.

The Choice is Yours: A Sustainable Path to Mobility

The decision between Motive Training and StretchLab is ultimately yours to make, based on your long-term goals. While passive stretching may offer temporary relief, it lacks the depth and expertise needed to create lasting change. Motive Training’s FRC-based approach, combined with our highly skilled coaches, provides a more comprehensive and sustainable path to unlocking your full mobility potential. We empower you to make an informed decision about your mobility journey.

Don’t believe us? The results speak for themselves.

Written by:

Brian Murray, FRA, FRSC

Founder of Motive Training

Are you ready to leave StretchLab behind to make real change? Use any of the contact forms on the Motive Training website, and we’ll show you why we’re one of the premier personal training organizations in the country. Let’s unlock the full potential of your upper body together!

We’ll teach you both how to move with purpose so you can lead a healthy, strong, and pain-free life, and we’re available online or in Grand Rapids, MI, and Austin, TX. You can find us in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, MI, and the St. Elmo district in South Austin, TX.