WASHINGTON — One of the fastest growing health-related businesses is partner-assisted stretching, and a D.C. startup wants to help Washington stretch out.
Stretch Workz, co-founded by a former music teacher turned personal trainer and a longtime D.C.-area gym manager, is opening its second location in Georgetown’s Palisades neighborhood this month.
“Stretch Workz specializes in partner-assisted stretching, with an infusion of the most effective stretch techniques to increase mobility and range of motion. I often say to people it is like an advanced yoga class where I do all the work and you get all the benefits,” said co-founder Tom French.
“Good stretching requires relaxation and good breathing. When stretching yourself, there is always tension in the body because you’re the one performing the stretch. In partner-assisted stretching, you’re completely relaxed and I am doing all the work,” he said.
French and partner Ben Atanga opened their first stretch studio in Takoma Park in 2014, and moved to a larger studio on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland, a year later. The pair has self-funded the business, which now has more than a dozen stretch therapists, and plans to open their second location in late January on MacArthur Boulevard in Northwest.
Their goal, French said, is to open one new location a year in the D.C. area over the next few years.
Stretch Workz currently has an active member base of about 600, and is scouting D.C.-area neighborhoods for a third location.
Partner-assisted stretching is relatively new to the mainstream health and fitness scene.
“It has really only come to the forefront in the last few years. A lot of people associate it with sports and you’ll find physical therapists and people in sports therapy using these techniques a lot, but it’s actually finally coming out into the mainstream,” French said.
“When people think of stretching, they usually think of yoga,” said Atanga. “But this modality moves the body in a more dynamic way. Even yoga teachers come to us as an alternative.”
Member rates for 25 minute or 50 minute sessions cost between about $60 and $80.
