SHOULDER STRETCH

Our activities of daily living precondition our neck and upper back to hold a lot of tension. Whilst your muscles and joints can take, and even require, a certain degree of tension, given that your shoulders are the most mobile joints in the entire body, they are somewhat prone to injury if stressed too much. Regular stretching of your shoulders should therefore be an essential part of any fitness routine to combat stiffness or tightness that can lead to neck pain or tension headaches.

Skill Level: Beginner

Training: Static Stretch

Type: Isolation

Force: Pull

Equipment: None

1° Muscles: Deltoids

SET-UP

Stand tall (neutral spine, chest up, chin up) with a tight core and your feet shoulder-width apart.
Reach your left arm across your body holding it straight.

EXECUTION

Grasp your upper left arm with your right hand and use it to pull your left arm across your chest until you can feel a mild stretch in your left shoulder.
Hold for 20-30 seconds, and then release.
Repeat for your right shoulder using your left hand to pull your upper right arm across your chest.
Repeat 2-5 times.

Do not hold your arm at your elbow to avoid placing undue pressure on this joint.
Ensure that you keep your extended arm straight for the duration of the stretch.