Shoulder Stretch

A gentle static stretch performed by reaching one arm across the body and using the opposite arm to pull it across the chest, targeting the shoulder joint and adjacent muscles.
Instructions
- Stand tall or sit upright with good posture and relaxed shoulders.
- Reach your left arm across your body at shoulder height.
- Hold your left arm straight or with a slight bend at the elbow.
- Use your right hand to gently grasp your left elbow or upper arm.
- Apply gentle pressure to pull your left arm toward your right shoulder and chest.
- Hold the stretch position, feeling a gentle stretch in the left shoulder and upper back.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid hunching forward.
- Release the stretch gently and repeat on the opposite side.
Tips
- Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds on each side without bouncing.
- Breathe deeply and relax into the stretch; do not force it.
- You should feel a comfortable stretch, not pain or sharp discomfort.
- Perform this stretch after warm-up or at the end of your workout when muscles are warm.
- Keep your torso upright; avoid leaning or rotating your spine.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Gain strength | 3 | 25 s |
| Build muscle | 3 | 40 s |
| Build endurance | 3 | 1 min |