How To Do Chest Stretches Video

Stretching the chest is important before heavy lifting or physical activities, although many people stretch the limbs alone. Learn how to do chest stretch exercises in this strength training video.

Take Action

Use stretching device
Hold stretch 15 to 30 seconds
Lean farther from hand to increase stretch
Stretch chest between heavy exercises

About this Author

Tom Clifford has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He also has a separate business where he coaches runners and triathletes for upcoming events. He currently works at Gold's Gym in Wilmington, North Carolina.

TOM CLIFFORD: Now, I'm going to demonstrate to you how to do chest stretches. Chest stretches, the best way to start a stretch is to place your forearm on a stretching devices such as a pull or in this case, a punching bag. So my entire forearm is on the punching bag, and I'm going to lean out, my arm is at 90 degrees and I'm feeling a stretch right here in the front of my chest. Right after I'm done with that, holding from between 15 and 30 seconds, I'm going to extend my arm out, not fully extended, my hand on the stretching device this time and I'm going to turn a little bit further and hold about 15 to 30 seconds. Again, I'm feeling now a little bit more of a stretch. A little bit more pull from the center of my chest all the way down to my forearm. And at the end, you're going to extend your arm fully with your fingertips on the stretching device and turn even further. You're getting even more of a stretch, holding about 15 to 30 seconds. You can also wave your arms out after you're done with that and it gets that pull on the front of your chest with both arms after you stretch both arms each way. And points to remember when you're stretching your chest, especially before doing bench press or any type of chest exercises, is to really, really focus on stretching the chest, not just going into a heavy, heavy weights, doing bench press or dumbbell presses or any other heavy chest exercise. So when you're doing--starting out your chest exercise, remember to keep your elbow at 90 degrees and your forearm on your stretching device and slowly work out and twisting more the further you workout. That's how you do chest stretches.

How to Do Chest Stretches Video

Take Action

About this Author

Member Comments