For years, stretching was seen as something reserved for athletes, yoga devotees or people in Lycra warming up before a run but a new wellness trend is quietly gaining momentum among older Australians — assisted stretching.

Studios such as StretchLab are popping up around the country, offering one-on-one stretching sessions designed to improve mobility, posture and everyday movement. And increasingly, it’s people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond walking through the doors.

According to StretchLab Mount Waverley Lead Flexologist Sagar Bhosale, the growing popularity comes down to one simple thing: people are tired of feeling stiff.

“Flexibility isn’t just for athletes or yogis — it’s foundational to everyday quality of life,” Bhosale says.

“For older adults specifically, there’s been a growing realisation that stiffness and limited range of motion aren’t simply things you have to put up with.”

The importance of mobility as we age

Many people assume stiffness is just part of getting older, but Bhosale says that’s not entirely true.

“Inevitable is too strong a word,” he explains.

“Consistent, targeted stretching genuinely can and does improve range of motion at any age. We see clients in their 60s, 70s and beyond making meaningful gains in flexibility within just a few weeks.”

The biggest problem areas? Tight hips, hamstrings, shoulders and lower backs — often the result of decades spent sitting at desks, driving or looking down at screens.

“The hip complex is almost universally tight in adults over 50,” Bhosale says.

“The thoracic spine loses rotation and extension, affecting breathing, posture and shoulder mobility.

“Hamstrings shorten noticeably with age, contributing to lower back tension.”

The result can be aches, pains and reduced mobility that many people simply accept as normal.

More than just flexibility

One reason assisted stretching is resonating with older Australians is because the benefits extend far beyond touching your toes.

Stretching can help relieve lower back pain, shoulder tension and hip discomfort by reducing muscle tightness and improving balance throughout the body.

“A lot of everyday pain stems from chronically shortened muscles pulling on joints and surrounding tissue,” Bhosale says.

“When we lengthen those muscles and restore better balance in the body, the tension generating that pain reduces.”

There’s also a growing awareness of the link between stretching, stress and sleep.

“Stretching activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s ‘rest and digest’ mode,” Bhosale explains.

“When muscles release tension, the nervous system registers that as safety and calm.”

Many clients report sleeping better and feeling less stressed after regular sessions.

“The meditative quality of a session also matters,” he says.

“For 25 or 50 minutes, you’re breathing intentionally, present in your body and away from a screen. That mental decompression is genuinely therapeutic for a lot of people.”

Check out Fitness Is Achievable At Any Age

Assisted stretching versus stretching at home

While home stretching still has benefits, Bhosale says assisted stretching allows for deeper, more targeted work.

“A Flexologist can identify compensation patterns and asymmetries you’d never notice yourself,” he says.

“There’s also a neurological component. When you stretch a muscle yourself, the nervous system often resists to protect against injury. With a trained partner, the muscle relaxes more fully.”

Importantly, he says stretching should never be painful.

“The biggest misconception is that stretching should hurt to be effective — it shouldn’t,” he says.

“Forcing a stretch past mild discomfort actually triggers the muscle to contract, working against you.”

Warning signs to watch for

Bhosale says people shouldn’t ignore declining mobility.

Difficulty getting out of a low chair, taking smaller shuffled steps, losing balance more easily or struggling to turn your head while driving can all signal reduced mobility.

“Finding that you’ve stopped activities you used to enjoy — golf, gardening, long walks — because of stiffness or pain is significant,” he says.

“The good news is none of these are inevitable, and all are worth addressing proactively.”

For those wanting to get started, he recommends simple daily stretches such as a doorway chest opener, knee-to-chest stretches and seated figure-four stretches to help release tight hips and lower backs.

Assisted stretching is resonating with so many older Australians for more than flexibility benefits, and more so about continuing to move well, feel well and stay active for longer.

For more information on assisted stretching sessions or to find your nearest studio, visit StretchLab Australia.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.