1. Moving On to the Outer Chest
It is important to remember that some of the muscles along the side of the body are included in the chest muscle group, making side bends a great way to stretch the side of the chest. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and your spine tall and straight. Allow your left hand to rest at your side and lift your right hand to the sky. Inhale deeply and exhale, sliding your left hand down your leg as you bend to the left. Allow your right arm to drop, but keep your elbow straight. Breathe into the stretch, dropping a bit further with each exhale. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and then engage your abs and slowly lift to center. Repeat on the opposite side.
2. A Simple Classic
The arm to the wall stretch is one of the most common chest stretches--and one of the best. Begin with your elbow bent and your hand up, pressing your entire arm into a wall. Your upper arm should be horizontal to the ground. Gently turn your body away from the wall to stretch the deltoids. Hold for 15 or 30 seconds and relax. Drop your hand so that it is even with your shoulder and repeat the exercise, deepening the chest stretch. After 15 to 30 seconds, straighten your arm so that it is horizontal to the floor to stretch the biceps and lower deltoids, again, turning away from the wall and holding for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
3. Get Out Your Broom
Just when you thought your broom was only good for sweeping comes a fantastic one handed chest stretch which will give your broom a new use. Grip the end of your broomstick with your right hand and bend your elbow, lifting your hand up and rotating the shoulder slightly so that your hand drops behind you. Your knuckles should be facing back, your thumb up and the stick falling behind your elbow to cross in front of your right thigh. Grip the end of your broomstick with your left hand, and pull gently so that your right shoulder rotates back to stretch the chest. Make sure that you keep your spine straight throughout the exercise and only stretch as far as is comfortable. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds before repeating on the opposite side.
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