Form cues
- Keep hips square
- Bend without twisting
- Stretch through the side
- Breathe steadily
Exercise
Standing Side Bend Stretch (Bent Arm)
Waist, body weight
A side bending stretch performed while standing to lengthen the obliques and lats.
Target: obliques. Also works: latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior.
This one is filed as mobility. It shows in warm-up and cool-down, and in search.
Steps
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Raise one arm overhead, bending the elbow comfortably.
- Lean sideways away from the raised arm to stretch the side of your torso.
- Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds.
- Switch sides and repeat.
Common mistakes
- Rotating the torso
- Overextending
- Holding breath
Breathing
Breathe deeply throughout the stretch.
In the app, search for Standing Side Bend Stretch (Bent Arm) and add it to a workout.