Upper Body Stretches
Keep your spine, arms and shoulders flexible with this group of simple yet effective upper body stretches. Learn the shoulder blade squeeze, marionette stretch and more.
Chest-And-Arm Stretch
Stretches chest, shoulder and arm muscles and helps improve posture
- Stand with your arms by your side.
- Keep your back straight as you clasp your hands together behind your back and squeeze your shoulder blades together.
- Roll your shoulders down and back.
- Relax, then repeat several times.
Marionette Stretch
Stretches spine
- Sit or stand tall with your hands down by your side.
- Imagine a string located at the top back part of your head, just like a marionette.
- The imaginary string pulls your head up toward the ceiling, and then your chin tucks slightly and your spine lengthens.
- Hold. Relax. Repeat.
Overhead Reach Side Bend Stretch
Stretches the obliques and lower back and maintains spine flexibility
- Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lift both arms above your head, lightly clasping your hands.
- Gently pull your shoulders back and stretch tall.
- Briefly hold, then, lean to the right and hold.
- Repeat to the left.
Shoulder Blade Squeeze
Learn how to stretch the back of the arms and shoulders using this triceps press stretch.
Stretches the triceps and shoulders
- Stand up straight and tall, then bring your arms above your head, bending your left elbow so that it points toward the ceiling.
- "Walk" the fingers of that hand down your back.
- Reach over with your right hand and gently press down on your left elbow to increase the stretch.
- Hold, then switch arms.
Triceps Press Stretch
Stretches the triceps and shoulders
- Stand up straight and tall, then bring your arms above your head, bending your left elbow so that it points toward the ceiling.
- "Walk" the fingers of that hand down your back.
- Reach over with your right hand and gently press down on your left elbow to increase the stretch.
- Hold, then switch arms.
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