Seated Overhead Stretch

What it is

This is a seated, static isolation stretch that primarily targets your abdominal muscles. You will gently lean to one side, lifting one elbow towards the ceiling. This movement helps improve your core flexibility and is a beginner-level exercise requiring no equipment.

Technique tips

• Sit tall with a straight spine before initiating the movement.
• Keep the soles of your feet together and rooted.
• Place one hand behind your head, elbow pointed up.
• Lean smoothly to the side, lifting your elbow towards the ceiling.
• Hold the stretch for the prescribed time, then switch.
• Breathe deeply to help relax into the stretch.

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.