Shoulders & chest stiff? Want to reset your posture? Shallow breathing? Try this:
Standing Chest Opener
The standing chest opener is an amazing way to lengthen the chest muscles, which are chronically shortened due to prolonged desk work. It also stretches the front of the shoulders and can help you breathe easier with improved posture.
Key Body Areas:
Chest
Shoulders
How to Do Standing Chest Opener:
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
- Interlace fingers behind your back (or use a strap/towel if needed).
- Draw your knuckles down and away from your back while lifting your chest.
- Keep gaze forward and avoid flaring the ribs.
- Hold 30 seconds with steady breathing.
Modifications for Standing Chest Opener:
- decreaseInterlace without lifting hands away from the back.
- increasePair it with a forward fold: hinge at the hips as you let your fist lift up toward the sky.
- alternativeUse a strap/towel or place hands on low back if interlacing is not available.
- alternativeTry a doorframe chest stretch instead: place one forearm on the frame and step forward gently.
Type: passive StretchDifficulty: beginnerPosition: standingMuscles Stretched:Pectoralis Major • Anterior Deltoids • Biceps
