I Could Never Stick to My Stretching Routine. Then I Found This App.

Every year, I set realistic resolutions—simple goals like drinking more water or flossing nightly. Last year, I aimed to floss, maintain a skincare routine, and stretch daily. While the first two were easy, stretching felt overwhelming.

Despite my aching back and stiff neck begging for relief, I struggled with questions: What stretches? How long? Which areas to target? Feeling clueless, I gave up by February.

By October, my worsening aches led me to Bend, a stretching app I discovered through social media ads. Intrigued, I signed up for the free trial, ready to revisit my abandoned goal.

 

Guided stretching in a beautiful, easy-to-use app

The Bend app offers guided stretching routines for areas like the neck, lower back, and hips, with sessions from 5 to 30 minutes. For $30/year, it also lets you create custom routines, though the premade options have been perfect for building my stretching habit.

I love starting my mornings with Bend’s five-minute Wake Up routine and breaking up workdays with the Posture Reset session for tech neck and slouched shoulders. At night, I often wind down with the calming 10-minute Sleep routine.

Bend’s thoughtful design stands out: a calming color palette, streamlined interface, detailed video instructions, visual countdowns, and gentle sound cues. The timer even pauses if I need to review instructions, removing guesswork and making stretching enjoyable. With Bend, stretching has become something I look forward to instead of a chore.

Bend has systems in place that keep you accountable

“The best time for stretching is the time you can do it consistently,” says Milica McDowell, an orthopedic physical therapist. Consistency is crucial for building the habit and reaping benefits like improved mobility, flexibility, injury prevention, and better posture for desk workers.

Bend supports this with customizable reminders—I set mine for 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 9 p.m.—and a streak tracker that keeps me motivated to stay consistent. While stretching needs vary, even five minutes weekly can make a difference, but consult a professional if you’re in pain.

But be careful not to overstretch

Stretching needs vary, but overdoing it can cause harm. “Stretching without warming up or forcing ranges of motion can lead to strains or sprains,” warns Milica McDowell. To stay safe, warm up first, avoid forced movements, and stick to manageable ranges.

For most, 5–10 minutes is a good starting point, and Bend helps make those minutes effective and easy to sustain.

A way to actually keep my New Year’s resolution

After months of using Bend daily, I’ve noticed less achiness, improved flexibility, and better posture—even when not stretching. Stretching has also boosted my mood, reduced stress, and become a valuable form of self-care.

Bend’s pricing can be inconsistent. The annual subscription is typically $40 but often drops to $24 during promotions. Monthly plans range from $5 to $15. I hesitated at $40 but jumped on the $24 offer when it appeared.

Bend has been crucial for building a sustainable stretching habit. It’s like having a personal coach in my pocket, whether at home, the gym, or traveling. This year, stretching daily is back on my resolution list—and I’m confident I’ll keep it up.