Equipment Required:

None

Starting Position:

Stand with back straight, feet placed shoulder-width apart and abdominal muscles contracted to hold torso stable.
Extend the arms forward at chest level. Clasp hands in front of body (palms may face out or in).

Actions To Execute Exercise:

Press hands forward and round entire back (forming a letter "C" with back).
Keep the abdominal muscles contracted.
Hold; relax and repeat.

What The Exercise Does:

Stretches the upper and lower back and back of the shoulders.

Variations On This Exercise:

This exercise may be performed without clasping the hands. Execute action as described above but with folded hands.

Precautions / Contraindications

Do not hyperextend the elbows.
Be sure muscles are warm before stretching.

Fitness Training Tips:

This is a limbering and a 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.