Stretching studios: Do you need what they offer? – Harvard Health

Boutique or specialty fitness studios offer all sorts of ways to exercise, such as strength training, indoor cycling, and kickboxing. Other popular options, like yoga and Pilates, are less likely to leave you sweaty and breathless, emphasizing flexibility and measured movement. Now a new trend has emerged: studios that focus solely on stretching. What are these studios offering, and will you benefit from this focus?

These studios, which include StretchLab, StretchMed, LYMBYR, and others, provide assisted stretching sessions, either one-on-one or in small groups. The promised benefits range from reasonable goals of increasing flexibility and range of motion to more questionable assertions, such as preventing injuries and eliminating chronic pain.

"If you participate in certain sports that require flexibility, like dance or gymnastics, stretching may be important to maintain range of motion," says Dr. Adam Tenforde, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and sports medicine physician at Spaulding Rehabilitation and Mass General Brigham.

But if your focus is on improving your overall health, the evidence to support stretching is sorely lacking especially compared with the wealth of evidence supporting the benefits of regular, moderate physical activity.

"Contrary to popular belief, theres no consistent evidence that stretching helps prevent injuries," says Dr. Tenforde. And if you have an existing injury, such as a muscle or joint sprain, aggressively stretching that tissue could actually make the injury worse, he adds.

The "stretch therapists" and "flexologists" at stretching studios may have certain certifications and training, but theyre probably not qualified to recognize and address health-related causes for pain or stiffness. If you have a previous or current musculoskeletal injury, youre much better off going to a physical therapist who has the expertise and training to treat you correctly.

If youre free from injuries but just feel tight and stiff, try a yoga class, which can provide added benefits like improving your balance and helping you relax and de-stress. Or consider tai chi, a gentle, meditative form of exercise that can help lower blood pressure and enhance balance. Another option is to get a massage.

If you decide to try assisted stretching offered at a studio, listen to your body, and make sure you communicate how youre feeling with the therapist working on you, Dr. Tenforde advises.

But youll probably do more for your overall health by spending that time taking a brisk walk or some other type of exercise instead, he says. Most Americans dont meet the federal recommended guidelines for physical activity, which call for 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise and muscle-strengthening activities twice weekly. "As doctors, were dealing more with diseases related to inactivity, not diseases of inflexibility, says Dr. Tenforde.

Three easy morning exercises an A-B-C routine of arm sweeps, back bend, and chair pose can help ease morning stiffness. This also works well during the day if you spend too much time sitting.

Stretching at home could save you money and time. These tips can help you get the most out of at-home morning stretches or other flexibility routines.

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