Equipment Required:

None

Starting Position:

Stand with back straight, feet placed shoulder-width apart and abdominal muscles contracted to hold torso stable.
Place fingertips on shoulders, raise elbows to shoulder level and point them out to the sides.

Actions To Execute Exercise:

Keeping elbows at shoulder level, bring elbows together in front of the body until a stretch is felt in the upper back (round out the upper back for a deeper stretch).
Hold; return to starting position.
Move the elbows back to sides until a stretch is felt in the chest.
Hold; return to starting position.
Repeat.

What The Exercise Does:

Stretches the upper back and chest.

Variations On This Exercise:

For the upper back, clasp hands in front of body (palms facing out), extend arms and round out the back; for the chest, clasp hands behind the back (palms facing back), extend arms and lift hands until a stretch is felt in the chest and shoulders.

Precautions / Contraindications

Do not stretch beyond the point of mild tension.
Be sure muscles are warm before stretching.

Fitness Training Tips:

This is a pre-activity limbering stretch.