New wellness studio introduces practitioner-assisted stretching to support mobility, recovery, and active lifestyles.
LAKE FOREST, Ill., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretch Zone, the nation's leading brand for practitioner-assisted stretching, is now open in Lake Forest, bringing a new approach to health and wellness to the local community. Stretch Zone Lake Forest is owned and operated by Jim Portalatin, making this his first Stretch Zone location and first business venture.
Portalatin was drawn to Stretch Zone through his strong interest in the wellness space and was especially impressed by the brand's patented strapping system, which allows practitioners to deliver a more effective and controlled stretch.
After a 30+ year career in finance, where he currently serves as treasurer of a pharmaceutical company, Portalatin is excited to bring a new wellness offering to a community he has called home for more than a decade.
"Lake Forest has been home to my family for 13 years, and both of my children graduated from Lake Forest High School," he shared. "It's a wonderful community, and I'm excited to open a business that supports people's health and wellness while allowing me to become more involved locally."
With wellness already a priority for many Lake Forest residents, this opening introduces a complementary service to existing fitness and self-care routines. "Practitioner-assisted stretching will be a great addition to what people are already doing to take care of themselves," Portalatin said. "It's an easy way to improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and move better overall."
Stretch Zone offers one-on-one stretch sessions led by trained practitioners who guide members through a series of personalized stretches while they relax on a specialized table. Using the brand's patented strapping system, practitioners stabilize and isolate muscles to deliver a deeper, more effective stretch.
"You lie down on a stretch table, and the practitioner takes you through a series of stretches—they do all the work, and you receive all the benefits," Portalatin explained. "That's exactly what gives it such a strong value."
Beyond the service itself, Portalatin is most excited about building a strong team and delivering an exceptional member experience. "My favorite part is working with our employees to provide every member with a great experience," he said.
Stretch Zone Lake Forest will serve individuals of all ages and activity levels, from athletes and fitness enthusiasts to those simply looking to improve mobility and feel better in their day-to-day lives.
Stretch Zone Lake Forest is now open. To celebrate, new members are invited to enjoy a complimentary first stretch session. Stretch Zone Lake Forest is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The studio is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, visit www.stretchzone.com.
About Stretch Zone
Founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone has redefined how people approach flexibility and recovery. With over 420 locations open across the U.S. and Canada, the brand's patented equipment and certified practitioner training deliver a safe, effective experience that improves mobility and enhances quality of life. In 2026, the company released an industry-first research study, The Stretch Zone Effect - published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Treatment, providing scientific data supporting the benefits of its practitioner-assisted stretching method. Stretch Zone has been featured on the Inc. 5000 and Franchise Times Top 400 lists for growth and innovation. Learn more at www.stretchzone.com.
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SOURCE Stretch Zone
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