Overhead Stretch

Also called standing overhead reach, full body stretch and standing reach.

Works

Abs, plus chest, forearms, lats and triceps

Equipment

Bodyweight

Level

Beginner

Type

Compound

How to do it

Setup. Standing straight up, lace your fingers together and open your palms to the ceiling. Keep your shoulders down as you extend your arms up.

1. To create a full torso stretch, pull your tailbone down and stabilize your torso as you do this. Stretch the muscles on both the front and the back of the torso.

Cues

• Lace fingers, palms to the ceiling.
• Shoulders down away from the ears.
• Tailbone down, ribs in.
• Reach tall and breathe.

Common mistakes

• Shrugging.
• Arching the low back.

Where to start

A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.

Swap for