About Stretch-n-Grow of St. Petersburg

My name is Megan Manly-Bowling, and my parents Bob and Jill founded Stretch-n-Grow in 1992. I am lucky enough to have grown up around Stretch-n-Grow, and I (along with my husband Josh and our daughter Gracie!) have the opportunity to teach the children of St. Petersburg to "exercise and eat what's wise" and help them develop life-long healthy habits!

Our 30 to 40 minute classes consist of good exercise habits from warm-up to cool-down and conditioning of the muscles of the entire body. We end each class with a healthy discussion and an EXERciting activity. Children receive a weekly handout that can be colored and shared with parents to keep them informed of the specific exercises. Stickers and stamps are given to the children for working hard, listening well, and just having fun!

About Our Mission

Stretch-n-Grow of St. Pete shares the mission of Stretch-n-Grow International:

Bowling Family
Josh, Gracie and Megan

About Stretch-n-Grow of St. Petersburg

My name is Megan Manly-Bowling, and my parents Bob and Jill founded Stretch-n-Grow in 1992. I am lucky enough to have grown up around Stretch-n-Grow, and I (along with my husband Josh and our daughter Gracie!) have the opportunity to teach the children of St. Petersburg to "exercise and eat what's wise" and help them develop life-long healthy habits!

Our 30 to 40 minute classes consist of good exercise habits from warm-up to cool-down and conditioning of the muscles of the entire body. We end each class with a healthy discussion and an EXERciting activity. Children receive a weekly handout that can be colored and shared with parents to keep them informed of the specific exercises. Stickers and stamps are given to the children for working hard, listening well, and just having fun!

Bowling Family
Josh, Gracie and Megan

About Our Mission

Stretch-n-Grow of St. Pete shares the mission of Stretch-n-Grow International:

  • To teach as many children as possible the basics of proper exercise, nutrition, and related health issues.

  • To establish patterns and positive attitude at an early age that will be the foundation for a continuing physical conditioning program and good health.

  • To prepare children for participation in physical education and athletic programs.

  • To provide parents, caregivers, and educators of young children with current information concerning proper exercise, nutrition, and other related issues in an effort to encourage each family to participate in a fitness program.

  • To build a strong, profitable company that operates with integrity and dedication to our mission, our employees, and the families we serve.

In addition, our curriculum was developed under the supervision of an advisory board made up of pediatricians, nutritionists, and educators. All of our exercises comply with the Youth Fitness Guidelines established by the American Fitness and Aerobics Association and American Council on Exercise - the two leading authorities in group fitness today.

About Stretch-n-Grow International

Stretch-n-Grow was conceived in January of 1992 by Jill and Bob Manly, with a plan to conduct classes on a local level only in their home town of Galveston, Texas. The simple concept of providing a comprehensive fitness program at an early, impressionable age grew quickly into an impressive world-wide network of dedicated, talented people with the common goal of building a successful organization that has a positive impact on the health and fitness of young children.

Stretch-n-Grow is a family and faith based company. Jill’s daughter Amanda Hollowell joined the company shortly after the birth of Jill and Bob’s daughter Megan in July 1992, and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. Megan joined the team after graduating from the University of South Florida in 2016 and serves as Vice President while also managing her own Stretch-n-Grow in St. Petersburg, FL.

And here is the “happy ending” to this story: there are now millions of Stretch-n-Grow “Stars” around the world learning to enjoy a healthy lifestyle while building a foundation of fitness and well-being!

Megan, Jill and Amanda
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