New gym focuses on flexibility to help meet fitness goals

“Movement is Medicine” reads the neon sign above the main desk, describing the core mission of Concord’s new gym.

The latest addition to Concord’s fitness scene, Flexable Assisted Stretching and Wellness, which gets its name from the combination of the words “flex” and “able,” offers specialized stretching sessions and personal training services for customers and athletes of any age looking to improve their range of motion or prevent injuries.

“Look at Tom Brady. Tom Brady, his career is from assisted stretching and mobility and work,” said staff member Karen Kenney. “Basically, we’re trying to bring that to the general public and at an affordable rate.”

Owner Nate Lavallee, a Manchester native, opened the first location in his hometown two years ago after humble beginnings in a friend’s garage. His goal is simple: He wanted to help people with their wellness and mobility, and reduce pain and injuries.

For a long time in his youth, Lavallee struggled with addiction while working as a construction worker. But as he got older he realized that he had to make changes for himself, and went to Manchester Community College to earn his Health Fitness Professional degree.

“I hit enough pain to become open-minded and willing to make some changes. I took action in many ways and slowly started to become whole,” he wrote on Flexable’s website.

Lavallee is five years sober now and found purpose and achieved success by helping others meet their personal health goals.

“I meditate twice a day. That’s a big part of my journey is meditation and keeping that stress level down and my nervous system, because sometimes at work, you get worked up literally. I walk a lot. I run a little bit. My physical fitness is a big part of my recovery. A huge part of it is helping others and just doing the next right thing and staying out of my comfort zone,” he said.

Flexable Studio’s proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching sessions are one-on-one for people of all ages. It is a “technique that relies on the body’s own reflexes to produce deeper stretches with its contract-release method.”

“Our job with PNF is to get them to realize how beneficial the breathing is. So it’s a contract-release method. You give five seconds of pressure, and then as you relax, you deep exhale at the same time, and it just allows a little window. It’s almost like cheating, right?” said Lavallee. “It gives you a little window to allow us to get a little bit deeper. It’s the most effective known type of stretching, especially when assisted, and people see huge results from it.”

The studio also offers personal training with weights and calisthenics that are aimed at complementing the mobility. Increasing flexibility in the joints leads to more effective strength gains through the completion of exercises with a full range of motion.

Increased range of motion can improve strength, and circulation, and reduce stiffness and the risk of reinjury, all of which are essential for top-tier athletes trying to perform at the highest level to those who want to continue practicing the sports they love for many years to come.

Through the personalized sessions, monthly packages and long-term plans, Lavallee and his team aim to improve the athletic ability of anyone who comes through their doors. They can target specific issue areas or offer full-body programs depending on the needs of each client.

The Concord team — comprised of Cara Boggs, Tracy Brennan and Karen Kenney — will work with patients directly. They will soon be joined by a new staff member to round out the squad.

“They’re most importantly good people. I always say that’s the most important thing for me is that you’re a good person, and that you can build a relationship with someone,” said Lavallee. “If you get people who are passionate about their work and really want to help people, this work we do changes people’s lives.”

The staff has extensive experience on all fronts, from mental health services, to yoga, to physical therapy and marathon preparation. Flexable hopes that the diverse expertise of the team will allow for the experience to be well-tailored for each individual customer.

“I’ve been a yoga teacher for over 25 years, and I’ve done Thai Yoga massage for about 16 years. I had a yoga studio for 10 years in town in Concord,” said Kenney. “I’ve been an athlete my whole life. So all that stuff is just kind of, this is a natural extension of what I was already doing.”

The studio is outfitted with four tables for stretching in the front, and there’s massagers, pillows and other equipment lining the room for all different purposes. In the back, there is a room with weights and exercise machines for clients to work on their mobility, strengthening exercises, and general training.

“The cool thing about coming to a place like this is the built-in accountability, and that’s one of the things that a lot of people need in the beginning, is knowing that they set the time, they’re making the time for themselves. It’s beyond self-care,” said Kenney. “We’re rooting for you, we’re cheering you on, and we’re here to correct but in a kind way.”

Their clientele ranges from young athletes looking to improve their performance, body builders in need of mobility, and seniors who want to regain movement to spend quality time with their families in all capacities.

“Being able to help people, not only in the physical way, but being able to share my experience with them. If they’re struggling with food, addiction, or if they’re just stressed out, we’re not therapists and but we can share our experience. We like this to be a soothing place,” said Lavallee.

The grand opening for the new Flexable Studio at 249 Sheep Davis Road, Concord is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re pretty much booked out pretty well for next week, and then we also have the grand opening, which is going to bring a lot of people in. So we’re excited. I know it’ll be good for everybody,” said Lavallee.