Exercise library · Abs

How to Do Overhead Stretch

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the overhead stretch.

How to do it

1. Standing straight up, lace your fingers together and open your palms to the ceiling. Keep your shoulders down as you extend your arms up.
2. To create a full torso stretch, pull your tailbone down and stabilize your torso as you do this. Stretch the muscles on both the front and the back of the torso.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

Workouts with this exercise

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Gear for this exercise

Exercise matGrip and comfort for floor work, core and stretching.See it on Amazon →Doorway pull-up barThe cheapest way to train your back and biceps at home.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.