Stretch - Overhead

Recommendations: 1-3 Sets, 8-12 Reps, 5-15 Dur

Intermediate Shoulders Chest Forearms Lats Triceps Stretching Body Only Gym Home

Purpose: This exercise loosens up and stretches the shoulder muscles. It also relieves tension in the chest and lats.

Benefits: This exercise is good after sitting at a desk or computer for any extended time. It is also good both before and after resistance exercising.

Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes are pointing straight ahead. Place your arms out at your sides. Bend your knees slightly. This is the starting position. Raise your arms up to come overhead. Your fingertips should point toward each other. Press your hands upward as if you are lifting something overhead, continuing until your arms are extended fully overhead. As you complete this movement, you straighten your knees and hips, putting the line of force through the palms of your hands. Inhale during this movement. Ensure that you keep your shoulders relaxed as you move your arms overhead. Return to the starting position, bending your knees slightly and returning your arms out to your sides. Exhale during this movement.

The shoulder muscles are a group of three muscles. The anterior (front) deltoid raises the arm toward the front and rotates the arm inward. The lateral (side) deltoid raises the arm to the side. The posterior (back) deltoid raises the arm toward the rear and rotates the arm outward.