StretchLab Hits 500 Studio Mark in North America
StretchLab is in growth mode as consumers opt for customized and non-invasive wellness practices that support mobility and flexibility
StretchLab, an assisted stretching brand under boutique fitness and wellness franchisor Xponential Fitness, has reached a new milestone with 500 open locations in the U.S. and 1,000 licenses awarded worldwide.
In addition to the assisted stretching franchise’s studios in 45 states, StretchLab has a growing international presence in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Kuwait, and Japan. The brand opened new studios in more than 15 states this year alone.
“Exceeding 500 locations just 10 months after celebrating 400 open locations, along with awarding over 1,000 licenses worldwide, is a testament to the rapid rise of this once-niche practice and how beneficial assisted stretching is for consumers across a variety of communities,” StretchLab president Verdine Baker said. “Our franchisees are incredibly engaged, and the locations are welcoming, making each StretchLab feel like a second home for their members. We are grateful for the trust our members place in us and look forward to further expanding our footprint in 2025.”
The brand also recently opened a studio in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“We are delighted to break in as the first StretchLab located in Honolulu to bring the relieving power of assisted stretching to the community,” StretchLab’s Honolulu franchise owner Cole Raven said. “StretchLab has given my family the opportunity to open a business that is purpose-driven, community-centered, and genuinely changes lives for the better. With a really strong response from the community already, we are excited to see the positive impact that our StretchLab Honolulu team will bring.”
StretchLab members work one-on-one with trained “Flexologists” to enhance mobility and flexibility, achieving a deep stretch in either 25- or 50-minute sessions. Select studios offer group sessions. While the approach is hands-on, the assisted stretching franchise also uses Physmodo MAPS technology for an advanced edge. The program tracks mobility, muscle activation, posture and body symmetry to generate customized and holistic stretching programs for clients.
While boutique fitness franchises (particularly Pilates) have become an increasingly competitive space, Xponential’s assisted stretching franchise is leading the way as the first to reach the 500 studio mark.
The simple act of stretching has been an afterthought in the rise of holistic wellness despite its long-lasting positive impacts, Baker told ATN last year.
“It’s one of those things that people know they should do – there’s so much history and science behind the benefits of stretching – but it’s been an afterthought in health and wellness routines,” Baker said. “The staying power of the brand and this modality is the journey that every client goes through in being able to feel better from before they’re on the bench to after. There’s an immediate satisfaction you get after getting a stretch, but there’s also a long-lasting effect. Massage therapy is a fantastic modality, but a lot of our members will say, “I’ll get a massage, and I’ll feel good immediately after the massage, but a few days later, I may not be getting the long-term effect.” A common theme among the folks that come to StretchLab is that they’re educated around maintaining a health and wellness routine, or wanting to maintain one.”
Baker added that the modality has attracted everyone from athletes to active seniors who want improved movement for pickleball.
