Upper Body Stretches For Flexibility

Flexibility is often thought of in terms of how far you can go down into the splits, or how far you can lift your foot over your head. While lower body flexibility is important for many sports and everyday mobility, upper body flexibility is also important. Tightness in your shoulders, chest, back and arms can lead to injury and soreness when playing sports or weight training.

Chest and Shoulder Stretch

Flexibility in your chest and shoulders is important for sports such as baseball, golf and ice hockey. It also helps with good posture. To give your chest and shoulders a good stretch, stand beside a wall and reach back with your arm to place your palm on the wall. Turn your upper body away from the wall gently until you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulder area.

Forearm and Wrist Stretch

Keeping your wrists and forearms flexible may help keep conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome at bay. Kneel down so you are on all fours, and then rotate your hands around so your fingers are pointing back at your knees. Your thumbs are pointing out to the sides. Keep your palms flat on the floor and slowly lean back until you feel the stretch.

Upper Back Wall Stretch

Stretching out your upper back can loosen you up for sports and even help your breathing if your muscles are overly tight. Place your palms against a wall up above your head level at shoulder-width. Press your hands into the wall as you bend at the waist and lower your head. Pull down with your hands until you feel a stretch in your upper back.

Arm Across the Chest

To stretch out the back of your shoulders, reaching your arm across your chest is an effective movement. To do the stretch, reach one arm across your chest and place your other hand on the triceps side of your elbow. Gently pull your arm in toward your chest and feel the stretch at the back of your shoulder.

Triceps Stretch

Stretching your triceps muscle safely is accomplished by reaching one hand over your head and back so it rests in the middle of your upper back. Place your other hand on the elbow that is in the air and pull the arm gently toward your head until you feel a gentle stretch in your triceps.