Form cues
- Reach up
- Pull shoulders down
- Retract shoulder blades
- Keep chest open
Exercise
Seated Shoulder Flexor, Depressor, Retractor Stretch
Shoulders, body weight
A seated stretch focusing on improving flexibility and mobility in the front, lower, and rear shoulder muscles.
Target: deltoids. Also works: trapezius, rhomboids, pectoralis major.
This one is filed as mobility. It shows in warm-up and cool-down, and in search.
Steps
- Sit tall with feet flat.
- Lift arms overhead, reaching upward.
- Gently depress the shoulders away from your ears.
- Retract shoulder blades by pulling them slightly together.
- Hold for a stretch, breathing evenly.
Common mistakes
- Shrugging shoulders
- Hunching forward
- Holding breath
Breathing
Inhale to begin, exhale as you stretch deeper.
In the app, search for Seated Shoulder Flexor, Depressor, Retractor Stretch and add it to a workout.