New assisted-stretching health and fitness studio StretchLab Noosa to open in March

A new fitness trend taking off in the United States is coming to Queensland with a businessman expecting the state’s first franchise in Noosa to be “hugely popular”.

Noosa resident Tom Hartwright is opening StretchLab Noosa in March. Photo: Supplied.

A globally-trending new fitness concept is coming to Queensland with a Noosa dad-of-three opening the state’s first “assisted stretching” studio StretchLab.

Tom Hartwright is preparing to open StretchLab Noosa along Eenie Creek Rd, Noosaville by early March before opening a second in Mooloolaba in September and a third in Caloundra by March next year.

StretchLab Noosa will have 10 instructors, known as “flexologists” who provide one-on-one assisted stretching for people of all ages and fitness levels.

With the Sunshine Coast and Noosa experiencing a boom in fitness and wellness businesses, Mr Hartwright is confident the concept will take off.

“We anticipate it’s going to be hugely popular,” Mr Hartwright said.

He said his upcoming boutique studio – part of a growing franchise with 750 locations worldwide – was expected to have 300 members once opened, with people from age 17 to 78 already signed up.

There are nine studios already open in Australia in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

StretchLab in Claremont, Perth, Australia. Photo: Supplied.

While stretching has been around since the “dawn of time”, Mr Hartwright said the concept was taking off because people were now realising the importance of stretching, saying it has “enormous” health benefits, such as injury prevention by becoming more flexible.

Unlike stretching at home, Mr Hartwright said his instructors, who have 70 hours of training up their sleeves, helped people perform stretches otherwise “impossible” to do alone.

StretchLab Noosa owner Tom Hartwright. Photo: supplied.

Mr Hartwright, who previously owned a wholesale and distribution business for five years, said he became intrigued by the concept after his wife, a pilates enthusiast, showed him it.

“I’ve never heard of anyone doing this before,” he said.

The father-of-three and avid golfer said he leapt at the chance to buy into the franchise because it was niche, he believed in the benefits, and it complemented rather than competed against the fitness industry.

Generic photography of StretchLab. Photo: supplied.

“I wouldn’t have been interested in setting up a gym where everyone is fighting over a point of difference,” he said.

Confident the concept will take off if managed well, Mr Hartwright said he wanted to open up to six studios in the future.

“(That) would keep me very busy,” he said.