SYOSSET-WOODBURY, NY — Six months after opening a StretchLab in Woodbury, a married couple is sharing the ins and outs of the business, as well as remarks from a few of their clients.
The studio is part of a broader trend of boutique fitness and wellness businesses expanding across Long Island. StretchLab is a franchise with locations across the nation.
Suzanne Kraemer-Parra and Christopher Parra have opened a studio in Woodbury, marking their fifth Long Island location. Christopher has served in the volunteer police department for more than 10 years, and Suzanne previously served as a civic association president. The Malverne residents said community involvement has been a central part of their lives, and they said they see the studio as another way to support Long Islanders.
Suzanne’s love of movement — especially through dance —shaped her path in fitness, and she minored in theatre performance in college.
“Movement has been a central part of my life,” she said. “I channeled that passion into teaching dance fitness and later expanded into Pilates, spin, small group training, and personal training.”
Enjoying helping people achieve their goals, Suzanne said opening StretchLab felt like an evolution of that journey, “focusing specifically on mobility and flexibility as foundational elements of long-term health.”
The couple opened their first StretchLab in New Hyde Park in January 2021.
“The decision came after years in the fitness industry, where I saw firsthand how often flexibility and mobility were the missing pieces in people’s overall wellness routines,” Suzanne said. “StretchLab felt like a natural extension of the work I was already doing — helping people move better, feel better, and perform at their highest level.”
The Syosset-Woodbury location. / Courtesy of StretchLab Syosset-Woodbury
Although she now has a passion for being an entrepreneur, this wasn’t her first career. Suzanne started in the fashion industry, but the demanding schedule and constant international travel led her to reevaluate her path.
“That transition brought me into the fitness industry, where I found a more purpose-driven and personally fulfilling career,” she said.
The couple said they hope to continue expanding and view other gyms and training studios as complementary rather than direct competition. From professional athletes to desk professionals to teachers and pickleball players, they said StretchLab can benefit a wide range of people.
“Our mission is to make improved movement accessible to everyone in our community,” Suzanne said. “At its core, this work is about helping people feel stronger, move more freely, and stay active for the long term. When people move better, they live better—and that impact extends far beyond the studio walls.”
Two Long Islanders shared their experiences with the studio.
Active runner Gena Star said the establishment has helped her be more mobile and flexible, “along with being more intentional about stretching for my run.”
Richard Barakat said he joined StretchLab after having rotator cuff surgery and wanting to improve his mobility in his shoulders and hip to better help during golf.
“I’ve been stretching for almost 4 months at StretchLab and have never felt more mobile in my life,” he said.
Interior of the studio. / Courtesy of StretchLab Syosset-Woodbury
