Chest Stretch Videos

Watch the chest stretching videos below to improve your chest flexibility and relieve tight chest and shoulder muscles.

Chest stretches are important for the flexibility and range of motion of the chest and shoulder muscles. Good chest flexibility allows for the unrestricted and pain free movement of the shoulder, and helps to prevent kyphosis, or rounding of the back.

Sports that benefit from the chest stretches below include: Basketball and Netball; batting sports like Cricket, Baseball and Softball; Hiking, Backpacking, Mountaineering and Orienteering; racquet sports like Tennis, Badminton and Squash; Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking; Swimming; throwing sports like Cricket, Baseball and Field events.

Chest Muscles being Stretched
During the following chest stretch videos there are a number of muscles within the chest and shoulders that are stretched. Below is a comprehensive list of the anatomical muscle names involved in the following chest stretches.

Above Head Chest Stretch
Stand upright and interlock your fingers. Bend your arms and place them above your head while forcing your elbows and hands backwards. Vary the height of your hands. Lower your hands behind you head to place an emphasis on the anterior deltoids and raise your hands above your head to emphasize the pectoral muscles. Hold the stretch position for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Parallel Arm Chest Stretch
Stand with your arm extended to the rear and parallel to the ground. (Or for a variation, bend your elbow to 90 degrees.) Hold on to an immovable object and then turn your shoulders and body away from your outstretched arm. Hold the stretch position for a minimum of 20 seconds and then repeat with the opposite arm.

Partner Assisted Chest Stretch
Extend both of your arms parallel to the ground. Have a partner hold on to your hands and slowly pull your arms backwards. Keep your arms parallel to the ground and your palms facing outward. Hold the stretch position for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Get more Stretching Exercises here...
Looking at photos and watching videos on your computer is fine, but to really take advantage of all the stretching exercises on offer, grab a copy of the updated 2011 edition of the Stretching Handbook and accompanying DVD.

The exercises and recommendations on this page are just a small sample of the many stretching exercises presented in the Handbook and on the DVD. Together, they include 135 clear photographs and 44 video demonstrations of unique stretching exercises for every major muscle group in your body.

The DVD also included 3 customized stretching routines (8 minutes each) for the Upper Body; the Lower Body; and the Neck, Back & Core, plus a bonus DVD-ROM feature that allows you to print out over 80 stretching routines for 22 sports and 19 different muscle groups.

The Handbook and DVD will show you, step-by-step, how to perform each stretch correctly. Plus, you'll also learn the 7 critical rules for safe stretching; the benefits of flexibility; and how to stretch properly. Check out the Stretching Handbook & DVD for yourself.

Article by Brad Walker and The Stretching Institute™
Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Terms of Use

About the Author: Brad is often referred to as the Stretch Coach and has even been called the Stretching Guru. Magazines such as Runners World, Bicycling, Triathlete, Swimming & Fitness, and Triathlon Sports have all featured his work. Amazon has listed his books on five Best-Seller lists. Google cites over 100,000 references to him and his work on the internet. And satisfied customers from 42 countries have sent 100's of testimonials. If you want to know about stretching and flexibility, Brad Walker is the go-to-guy.