Stretch It Out: What You Need to Know About Flexibility Training

Flexibility training is essential to athletes’ health, as it aids in recovery and reduction of injury during workouts. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Stretching is pertinent to the health and success of all athletes. Today we are exploring flexibility training and our revolutionary approach!

The TRUE Stretch

You may have seen our TRUE Stretch or TRUE Stretch Golf, and wanted to learn more about our comprehensive stretching platform. From gyms to physical therapy centers to homes and everything in between, the TRUE Stretch has gained a loyal following of those who understand the importance of flexibility.

Let’s walk through the history of the TRUE Stretch, and how it came to be our state-of-the-art flexibility equipment.

Where It All Started

The TRUE Stretch began as an idea of Dr. Gary Gray PT, FAFS, founder of the Gray Institute® – the world’s foremost authority of Applied Functional Science®. For the last 45 years, the Gray Institute has studied human biomechanics (human movement) and works to understand how the body moves as a Chain Reaction®.

Physical Therapy Meets Golf

As a Physical Therapist, Dr. Gray has treated many professional golfers and decided to delve into the sport of golf because “it’s a fun sport, and [he] saw a number of issues in professional golf.” He noticed that pro golfers often do not properly warm up, and that the body has to move in a way it doesn’t normally work to play a game of golf. He designed a large golf gazebo that took golfers through proper stations – a work around to be ready to play a game of golf. He then realized he could make his golf gazebo 1/10 of its original size to optimize it for golf and human activity. This new design became the TRUE Stretch!

Understanding Stretching & The Nervous System

A lot of people have a poor understanding of stretching and believe stretching simply benefits their soft tissue. The Gray Institute® is now finding that proper stretching does a little to muscle, tendons, and joint capsules, and benefits the nervous system more than anything else.

It is important to focus on the nervous system. Proper stretching activates the right nerves in the right sequence.

As we age, the nervous system works to protect our bodies, causing flexibility to rapidly decline. The more we activate the right nerves at the right time, the better our flexibility becomes.

The TRUE Stretch is designed to take exercisers through the proper sequence to activate their nerves. Dr. Gray said that some professional athletes use the TRUE Stretch to warm up and play their best game.

The TRUE Stretch Apparatus

Simply put, the TRUE Stretch is an apparatus designed by Dr. Gray that makes it easy to activate nerves and create mobility in the soft tissue. The benefit – 4 points of attachment (2 arms, 2 legs) that are needed to create motion for the right neural activity.

According to Dr. Gray, once you train the body to work inside the TRUE Stretch, it will move better outside of the apparatus. “The TRUE Stretch is the thing that flips on switches in the human body” says Dr. Gray.

Let’s Sum It Up

The TRUE Stretch provides functional upright three-dimensional nerve activation. This apparatus has a specific function, keeps us upright, and allows for movement in all 3 planes of motion (sagittal, frontal, and transverse).

What’s Next for the Stretch

Gyms and facilities across the world have added the TRUE Stretch to their lineup of premium equipment. “Within the next 5 years, the TRUE Stretch will be in most households because everyone will understand the importance of it,” said Dr. Gray.

Help your members look and feel better while reducing their risk of injury in our state-of-the-art stretching platform.

Want to Learn More?

Contact your TRUE representative to learn how you can bring the TRUE Stretch to your gym or facility.