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What are the Different Types of Upper Body Stretches?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

Many different types of stretches are available to help increase flexibility and strengthen the body. Upper body stretches are often used by people who do a lot of reaching in their work, such as lab workers. Many different types of upper body stretches can be completed, including neck stretches, bicep stretches, and several others.

Neck stretches can be a very helpful addition to any daily stretching routine. Also known as the trap stretch, the neck stretch can be performed nearly anywhere. It involves pulling one's head toward the shoulder with the palm of one hand. Many people, from construction workers to writers who work at a computer, suffer from neck pain and can benefit from neck stretching.

Woman stretching her sides.
Woman stretching her sides.

Shoulder stretches are upper body stretches that can benefit many people as well. Anterior shoulder stretches are completed by pulling one arm across the chest while grasping the elbow with the opposite hand. Posterior shoulder stretches include using a rope or towel to pull in an upward stretch. Bicep and tricep stretches can be done in a similar way, though the rope or towel will be pulled down instead of up.

One tricep stretch is the overhead stretch.
One tricep stretch is the overhead stretch.

Chest stretches can include a series of movements. In one stretch, the exerciser can push off against a wall with two hands in a twisting manner to stretch the chest. Other upper body stretches for the chest include executing the same twisting motion with only one hand, or simply using the hand for balance while twisting without the wall.

Upper body stretches in the back may also involve multiple moves. These can all usually be done with the aid of a bar or pole. The pole should be grasped as the exerciser bends to fully extend and stretch his or her back. Athletes may also grasp the pole with one hand, as they extend the other hand out to stretch the back muscles beneath the armpit.

Upper body stretches may help relieve back pain.
Upper body stretches may help relieve back pain.

Wrist stretching can be done for multiple goals. A person can stretch with increasing the ability to flex, rotate, or to extend the wrist. Extending the wrist can be accomplished by extending an arm, palm up, and grasping the fingers as the hand is pulled inward.

The other two exercises begin with the same extended pose. To flex the wrist, point the fingers to the floor while grasping them with the opposite hand and pulling toward the body. The hand can be twisted away from the body while the opposite hand pulls it toward the body for a rotation stretch.

Upper body stretches may help relieve neck pain.
Upper body stretches may help relieve neck pain.

Some upper body stretches can be easily completed at one's desk. A reaching stretch can be completed by interlacing the fingers, turning the palms outward, and stretching them out at shoulder height. The same movement can be done for the overhead stretch, which is simply performing the stretch above one's head.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

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    • Woman stretching her sides.
      By: laurent hamels
      Woman stretching her sides.
    • One tricep stretch is the overhead stretch.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      One tricep stretch is the overhead stretch.
    • Upper body stretches may help relieve back pain.
      By: Paul Hakimata
      Upper body stretches may help relieve back pain.
    • Upper body stretches may help relieve neck pain.
      By: nebari
      Upper body stretches may help relieve neck pain.