Garcia opened Stretch Revolution in November 2022 to continue her fitness career after having to give it up due to her knee injuries.
“I would love to give you a nice story and say that I was climbing Mount Everest, but no,” Garcia said. “This one I was walking. Never walk with your cellphone in your hand because this can happen. And this one I was dancing on a back patio ... and my knees gave up. But the doctor told me that those are very common injuries because I overuse my body.”
About the owner
Garcia's passion for fitness began at age 15 when she was about to start high school. At the time, she said she was overweight and joined a gym.
“I quickly realized that I wasn't going to be able to pay the next month because I wasn't working,” Garcia said. “So I got myself hired as a receptionist there, and I didn't have to pay the membership and I got to work out; I guess I developed a passion for fitness at a very young age.”
Garcia said after that, she decided to pursue a career in fitness and became a personal trainer providing group fitness classes.
After being in the fitness industry for decades, Garcia said her knee injuries led her to find a job in engineering. However, Garcia did not see her lifestyle fitting in an office job setting—she said she needed to continue fitness.
After putting thought into her focus as a fitness trainer, Garcia realized the need for rehabilitation trainers.
“Weight loss stories are fabulous, right? I have one of my own, but it's more common that you get more of those than you get to work with somebody that cannot lift their arms, and it's stuff that we don't think about until we cannot do it,” Garcia said.
Garcia found her passion in rehabilitation and said helping people accomplish everyday life tasks they could not do on their own was more rewarding.
Whether clients wish to improve their sport performance, release muscular tension, gain mobility or simply want to relax, Stretch Revolution offers several personalized stretching services catered to the person's needs.
New clients are asked to undergo an introductory assessment in which they are evaluated and provided a stretching program catered to their needs. While some clients are asked to attend once a month, others require frequent visits.
With a focus in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation—a stretching technique utilized to improve muscle elasticity—Stretch Revolution also offers percussion and compression therapy, and in-home sessions for those who cannot leave their homes.
In-studio sessions are $34-$67, however out-of-studio sessions tend to be higher and prices are discussed during clients’ evaluations to work with their budgets, Garcia said.
Looking ahead
Garcia and two other certified trainers are available to provide one-on-one stretching services. She said she plans to expand her staff and trainers to cater to a larger community and offer group stretching services as the business grew quicker than she anticipated.
Garcia said she recommends the general public stretch after their workouts, and those who are not physically active should stretch daily to increase mobility.
“Stretching regularly can prevent injuries and can also give you a better performance in your sport, will lower your stress levels, and promotes blood flow and oxygenation—so less stress and headaches—and helps with mobility and flexibility to move better and feel better,” Garcia said.
- 8648 Hwy. 6, Houston
- www.stretch-revolution.com
