Equipment Required:

None

Starting Position:

Stand with back straight, feet placed shoulder-width apart and abdominal muscles contracted to hold torso stable.
Place left arm on left outer thigh for support.
Extend right arm overhead, next to right ear.

Actions To Execute Exercise:

Reach up with right hand as high as possible and bend slightly to left side until a stretch is felt in the waist and up through the shoulder.
Hold; relax and repeat to the other side.

What The Exercise Does:

Stretches the waist and upper torso.

Variations On This Exercise:

This exercise may be performed in a seated position using the floor for support and sitting with knees bent and legs crossed.

Precautions / Contraindications

Bend directly to the side; do not lean forward or backward.
Do not arch back.
This exercise may be contraindicated for some individuals with back problems.

Fitness Training Tips:

Keep hips facing forward and overhead arm next to ear.
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 5-20 seconds.