Dynamic Back Stretch

What it is

This dynamic movement helps warm up your upper body and improve shoulder mobility. It primarily targets your latissimus dorsi, often called lats, which are the large muscles of your back. You will swing your arms forward and upward in an increasing range of motion. This prepares your body for more intense exercises by gently increasing blood flow and flexibility.

Technique tips

• Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and a soft bend in your knees.
• Keep your arms straight but not locked as you swing them upward.
• Gradually increase your arm swing height with each repetition.
• Engage your core gently to stabilize your torso during the swing.
• Exhale as your arms swing up and inhale as they come down.
• Stop your arms when they are comfortably above your head, avoid hyperextension.

How to track your progress

Log the hold time of each set. Straddly keeps your best hold for this exercise and tells you when you beat it, so a two-second gain does not go unnoticed.