Standing Lateral Stretch

What it is

This movement is a gentle, standing stretch that lengthens the side of your torso. It primarily targets your abdominal muscles, especially the obliques, to enhance your flexibility. You perform this exercise without any equipment, making it a versatile option for quick relief.

Technique tips

• Keep a slight bend in your knees with feet slightly wider than your hips.
• Place one hand on your hip to provide gentle support to your spine.
• Reach the opposite arm overhead, then place your hand gently behind your head.
• Incline your torso smoothly to the side, initiating the stretch.
• Distribute your weight evenly between both feet; avoid shifting your hips.
• Focus on lengthening your side body, not just bending over.

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.