Equipment Required:

None

Starting Position:

Stand with back straight, feet placed shoulder-width apart and abdominal muscles contracted to hold torso stable.
Reach both arms overhead.

Actions To Execute Exercise:

Bend one arm at the elbow, dropping the hand behind the head and touching it to the mid-back.
Grasp top of raised elbow with opposite hand and gently press down and in, toward the center of the body.
Hold; relax and return to starting position.
Repeat on other arm.

Breathing Technique:

Maintain normal, steady breathing.

What The Exercise Does:

Stretches the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder.

Variations On This Exercise:

This exercise may be performed in the seated position.

Precautions / Contraindications

Press/pull elbow gently; avoid stretching beyond a comfortable level.
This exercise may be contraindicated for some individuals with shoulder or neck problems.

Fitness Training Tips:

This is a pre-activity limbering and flexibility stretch. It is recommended that stretches for improved flexibility be held for 30 seconds and stretches for pre-activity limbering for 5-20 seconds.