Alyssa Diioia, who lives in Shakopee, always led an active lifestyle before suffering a bulging disc in her back years ago.
Diioia, a former college soccer player and CrossFit competitor and coach, said she tried everything in the fitness recovery market before finding assisted stretching. a stretching technique that has been shown to improve mobility, increase endorphins, and aid healing.
This month, Diioia and her husband Matt opened Stretchly – a boutique gym that offers assisted stretching in Savage.
“What we love, and what we pride ourselves on, is that we are there for you every step of the way to create a new routine for your body,” she said, adding that assisted stretching is suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities Activity is beneficial.
Diioia and the other “FLEXperts” at Stretchly are all certified in neuromuscular stretching by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In the studio, they work one-on-one with clients for 30-minute half-body stretches, 60-minute full-body stretches or a free 15-minute demo.
Matt Diioia, a United States Marine Corps veteran, is primarily responsible for the business side of Stretchly while the couple balance starting a new business with a busy family life as parents of 7-year-old twins.
In her own life, Alyssa Diioia said that stretching helps her keep up with her little boys and stay strong as she ages. Through Stretchly, she hopes to share the benefits of stretching with others.
“What a lot of people don’t know is that they are actually overloading their muscles and having no idea,” said Alyssa Diioia, adding that adults in particular suffer from upper body tension associated with desk work.
Assisted stretching also has mental health benefits, she said. Sessions at Stretchly include breathing and relaxation exercises, and the stretches are always designed to give clients control over the intensity of the stretch.
“Everyone can find something to improve, and it gives people the confidence to take responsibility for their bodies,” she said.
Stretchly is located at 7709 Egan Drive in Savage. The studio can be reached at 952-440-5050 or online at stretchly.com.
