Lower Body Stretches
Lying Cross-over Knee Pull-down Stretch
Lie on your back and cross one leg over the other. Bring your foot up to your opposite knee and with your opposite arm pull your raised knee towards the ground.
Stretching is a simple and effective activity that helps to enhance athletic performance, decrease the likelihood of soft tissue injury and minimize muscle soreness. Other benets include: improved range of movement; increased power; improved posture; and improved co-ordination. The Rules for Safe Stretching Slowly get into the stretch position and then hold each stretch for a minimum of 20 seconds. Remember, stretching can be extremely dangerous and harmful if done incorrectly, so please adhere to the following rules. Never stretch an injury, or damaged soft tissue. Warm-up prior to stretching. Stretch before and after exercise. Stretch all major muscles and their opposing muscle groups. Stretch gently and slowly. Stretch only to the point of tension. Breathe slowly and easily while stretching.
All text and drawings taken from The Anatomy of Stretching by Brad Walker. Lotus Publishing, ISBN 978-1-905367-03-0. www.AnatomyOfStretching.com
Single Heel Drop Calf Stretch
Stand on a raised object or step. Put the toes of one foot on the edge of the step and keep your leg straight. Let your heel drop toward the ground.
Plantaris Peroneus longus Gastrocnemius Flexor hallucis longus Peroneus brevis
Tensor faciae latae Gluteus medius Gluteus minimus Iliotibial band Gluteus maximus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Iliotibial band syndrome.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Calf strain. Achilles tendon strain. Achilles tendonitis. Medial tibial pain syndrome (shin splints).
Standing Leg-up Hamstring Stretch
Stand upright and raise one leg on to an object. Keep that leg straight Semitendinosus and your Semimembranosus toes pointing Soleus Gastrocnemius straight up. Lean forward while keeping your back straight.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Hamstring strain. Calf strain.
Single Heel Drop Achilles Stretch
Stand on a raised object or step and place the toes of one of your feet on the edge of the step. Bend your leg and let your heel drop toward the ground.
Peroneus longus Tibialis posterior Flexor digitorum longus Soleus Peroneus brevis Flexor hallucis longus
On-your-side Quad Stretch
Lie on your side and pull your top leg behind your buttocks. Keep your knees together and push your hips forward. This position can put undue pressure on the knee joint and ligaments, so take care if you have a knee injury.
Quadriceps Vastus medialis Vastus Vastus intermedius lateralis Rectus femoris
Squatting Leg-out Adductor Stretch
Stand with your feet wide apart. Keep one leg straight and toes facing forward while
Adductor longus Adductor magnus Gracilis
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Calf strain. Achilles tendon strain. Achilles tendonitis. Medial tibial pain syndrome (shin splints). Posterior tibial tendonitis.
Standing Leg Tuck Hip Stretch
Stand beside a chair or table and place the foot furthest from the object onto the object. Relax your leg, lean forward and bend your other leg, lowering yourself toward the ground.
Piriformis Gemellus superior Gemellus inferior Obturator internus Quadratus femoris Obturator externus
Leaning Heel Back Achilles Stretch
Pectineus Adductor brevis
Psoas major Iliacus Iliopsoas
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Hip exor strain. Avulsion fracture in the pelvic area. Osteitis pubis. Iliopsoas tendonitis. Trochanteric bursitis. Quadriceps strain. Quadriceps tendonitis. Patellofemoral pain syndrome. Patellar tendonitis. Subluxing kneecap.
bending the other leg and turning your toes out to the side. Lower your groin toward the ground and rest your hands on the bent knee or the ground.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Avulsion fracture in the pelvic area. Groin strain. Osteitis pubis. Piriformis syndrome. Tendonitis of the adductor muscles. Trochanteric bursitis.
Stand upright while leaning against a wall and place one foot behind the other. Make sure that your toes are facing forward and your heel is on the ground. Bend your back leg and lean toward the wall.
Tibialis posterior Peroneus longus Soleus Flexor hallucis longus Peroneus brevis
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Piriformis syndrome. Snapping hip syndrome. Trochanteric bursitis.
Kneeling Heel-down Achilles Stretch
Kneel on one foot and place your body weight over your knee. Keep your heel on the ground and lean forward.
Tibialis posterior Soleus Flexor digitorum longus Flexor hallucis longus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Calf strain. Achilles tendon strain. Achilles tendonitis. Medial tibial pain syndrome (shin splints). Posterior tibial tendonitis.
Leaning Heel Back Calf Stretch
Stand upright and lean against a wall. Place one foot as far from the wall as is comfortable and make sure that your toes are facing forward and your heel is on the ground. Keep your back leg straight and lean Plantaris Tibialis posterior toward Gastrocnemius Peroneus longus the Peroneus brevis wall.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Calf strain. Achilles tendon strain. Achilles tendonitis. Medial tibial pain syndrome (Shin splints)
Kneeling Quad Stretch
Kneel on one foot and the other knee. If needed, hold on to something to keep your Rectus femoris balance. Push Vastus lateralis your hips forward.
Sitting Knee-to-chest Buttocks Stretch
Biceps femoris Iliotibial band Semimembranosus Semitendinosus
Psoas major Psoas minor Iliacus Sartorius
Gluteus maximus
Sit with one leg straight and the other leg crossed over your knee. Pull the raised knee toward your opposite shoulder while keeping your back straight and your shoulders facing forward.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Calf strain. Achilles tendon strain. Achilles tendonitis. Medial tibial pain syndrome (shin splints). Posterior tibial tendonitis.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Hip exor strain. Avulsion fracture in the pelvic area. Osteitis pubis. Iliopsoas tendonitis. Trochanteric bursitis. Quadriceps strain. Quadriceps tendonitis.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Hamstring strain. Iliotibial band syndrome.
Sitting Feet Together Adductor Stretch
Sit with the soles of your feet together and bring your feet toward your groin. Hold onto your ankles and push your knee Adductor toward the ground with brevis Adductor your elbows. Keep longus your back straight and upright.
Pectineus Gracilis
Standing Leg Cross Abductor Stretch
Stand upright and cross one foot behind the other. Lean toward the foot that is behind the other. If necessary, hold onto Gluteus minimus something for balance. Gluteus medius
Tensor fasciae latae Sartorius
Sitting Cross-legged Reach Forward Stretch
Sit cross-legged and keep your back straight. Then gently lean forward.
Front Cross-over Shin Stretch
Stand upright and place the top of your toes on the ground in front of your other foot. Slowly bend your other leg to force your ankle to the ground. Tibialis anterior
Extensor hallucis longus Extensor digitorum longus tendons
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Trochanteric bursitis. Iliotibial band syndrome.
Gluteus maximus Piriformis Gemellus superior Gemellus inferior Obturator internus Obturator externus
Adductor magnus
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Sports injury where stretch may be useful Piriformis syndrome. Groin strain. Tendonitis of the adductor muscles. Snapping hip syndrome. Trochanteric bursitis.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Avulsion fracture in the pelvic area. Groin strain. Osteitis pubis. Piriformis syndrome. Tendonitis of the adductor muscles. Trochanteric bursitis.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Anterior compartment syndrome. Medial tibial pain syndrome (shin splints). Ankle sprain. Peroneal tendon subluxation. Peroneal tendonitis.
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Neck, Back and Core Stretches
Lying Knee Roll-over Stretch
Lie on your back, keep your knees together and raise them slightly. Keep your arms out to the side and then let your back and hips rotate with your knees.
Iliotibial band
Stretching is a simple and effective activity that helps to enhance athletic performance, decrease the likelihood of soft tissue injury and minimize muscle soreness. Other benets include: improved range of movement; increased power; improved posture; and improved co-ordination. The Rules for Safe Stretching Slowly get into the stretch position and then hold each stretch for a minimum of 20 seconds. Remember, stretching can be extremely dangerous and harmful if done incorrectly, so please adhere to the following rules. Never stretch an injury, or damaged soft tissue. Warm-up prior to stretching. Stretch before and after exercise. Stretch all major muscles and their opposing muscle groups. Stretch gently and slowly. Stretch only to the point of tension. Breathe slowly and easily while stretching.
All text and drawings taken from The Anatomy of Stretching by Brad Walker. Lotus Publishing, ISBN 978-1-905367-03-0. www.AnatomyOfStretching.com
Forward Flexion Neck Stretch
Longissimus capitis Levator scapulae Semispinalis capitis Splenius capitis Semispinalis cervicis Longissimus cervicis Splenius cervicis Rhomboid minor Rhomboid major Spinalis thoracis
Iliocostalis lumborum Gluteus medius Gluteus minimus Gluteus maximus
Stand upright and let your chin fall forward towards your chest. Relax your shoulders and keep your hands by your side.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Iliotibial band syndrome.
Kneeling Reach Forward Stretch
Kneel on the ground and reach forward with your hands. Let your head fall forward and push your buttocks towards your feet. Latissimus dorsi
Serratus anterior Teres major
Rotating Neck Stretch
Stand upright while keeping your shoulders still and your head up. Slowly rotate your chin towards your shoulder.
Longissimus capitis Semispinalis capitis Splenius capitis Sternocleidomastoideus Levator scapulae Trapezius
Kneeling Back Arch Stretch
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain.
Kneeling Back Rotation Stretch
Kneel on the ground and raise one arm. Then rotate your shoulders and middle back while looking upwards.
Semispinalis cervicis Iliocostalis thoracis Spinalis thoracis Longissimus thoracis Semispinalis thoracis Iliocostalis lumborum
Reach-up Back Stretch
Stand with your arms crossed over and then raise them above your head. Reach up as far as you can.
Brachialis Triceps brachii Deltoid Teres major Latissimus dorsi
Kneel on your hands and knees. Look up and let your back slump downwards. Then let your head fall forward and arch Splenius cervicis your back upwards.
Spinalis thoracis Longissimus thoracis Transversus abdominis Gluteus maximus Semispinalis thoracis
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck.
Rising Stomach Stretch
External intercostal Internal intercostal Transversus abdominis External oblique Psoas minor
Rectus abdominis
Longissimus cervicis
Lie face down and bring your hands close to your shoulders. Keep your hips on the ground, look forward and rise up by straightening Rectus your arms. abdominis
Internal oblique
Psoas major Iliacus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck. Upper back muscle strain. Upper back ligament sprain.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck. Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain.
Pectoralis major Internal abdominal oblique External abdominal oblique
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Abdominal muscle strain. Hip exor strain. Iliopsoas tendonitis.
Standing Lateral Side Stretch
Stand with your feet about shoulderwidth apart and look forward. Keep your body upright and slowly bend to the left or right.
Rotatores Quadratus lumborum Intertransversarii Multidus
Standing Back Rotation Stretch
Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Place your hands across your chest while keeping your back and shoulders upright. Slowly rotate your shoulders to one side.
Internal abdominal oblique External abdominal oblique Quadratus lumborum
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain. Abdominal muscle strain (obliques).
Standing Reach-up Back Rotation Stretch
Quadratus lumborum Internal abdominal oblique External abdominal oblique
Sitting Bent-over Back Stretch
Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front or at 45 degrees apart. Keep your toes pointing upwards and rest your arms by your side or on your lap. Relax your back and neck and then let your head and chest fall forward.
Semispinalis cervicis Semispinalis thoracis Spinalis thoracis Longissimus thoracis Iliocostalis lumborum Interspinales Rotatores
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your hands above your head while keeping your back and shoulders upright. Slowly rotate your shoulders to one side.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain. Abdominal muscle strain (obliques).
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain. Abdominal muscle strain (obliques).
Internal oblique External oblique Iliocostalis lumborum
Lateral Neck Stretch
Levator scapulae Sternocleidomastoideus Trapezius Scalenus anterior Scalenus medius
Sitting Side Reach Stretch
Sit with one leg straight out to the side and your toes pointing up. Then bring your other foot up to your knee and let your head fall forward. Reach towards the outside of your toes with both Intertransversarii hands. Multidus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Abdominal muscle strain (obliques).
Rotating Stomach Stretch
Lie face down and bring your hands close to your shoulders. Keep your hips on the ground, look forward and rise up by straightening your arms. Then slowly bend one arm and rotate that shoulder toward the ground.
External oblique Psoas major and minor Quadratus lumborum Internal oblique Iliacus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck. Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain.
Lying Knee-to-chest Stretch
Lie on your back and keep one leg at on the ground. Use your hands to bring your other knee into your chest.
Look forward while keeping your head up. Slowly move your ear towards your shoulder while keeping your hands behind your back.
Rotatores Obliques Semimembranosus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck.
Gluteus maximus Iliocostalis lumborum Transversus abdominis Rectus abdominis
Semitendinosus Biceps femoris
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Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck. Back muscle strain. Back ligament sprain.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Abdominal muscle strain. Hip exor strain. Iliopsoas tendonitis.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Lower back muscle strain. Lower back ligament sprain. Hamstring strain.
www.TheStretchingInstitute.com
Upper Body Stretches
Bent Arm Chest Stretch
Stand with your arm extended and your forearm at right angles to the ground. Rest your forearm against an immovable object and then turn your shoulders and body away from your extended arm.
Pectoralis minor Pectoralis major Anterior deltoid
Stretching is a simple and effective activity that helps to enhance athletic performance, decrease the likelihood of soft tissue injury and minimize muscle soreness. Other benets include: improved range of movement; increased power; improved posture; and improved co-ordination. The Rules for Safe Stretching Slowly get into the stretch position and then hold each stretch for a minimum of 20 seconds. Remember, stretching can be extremely dangerous and harmful if done incorrectly, so please adhere to the following rules. Never stretch an injury, or damaged soft tissue. Warm-up prior to stretching. Stretch before and after exercise. Stretch all major muscles and their opposing muscle groups. Stretch gently and slowly. Stretch only to the point of tension. Breathe slowly and easily while stretching.
All text and drawings taken from The Anatomy of Stretching by Brad Walker. Lotus Publishing, ISBN 978-1-905367-03-0. www.AnatomyOfStretching.com
Behind the Back Chest Stretch
Stand upright and clasp your hands together behind your back. Slowly lift your hands upward. Do not lean forward while lifting your hands upward.
Anterior deltoid Brachialis Biceps brachii
Serratus anterior
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder. Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inammation.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder. Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inammation.
Above Head Chest Stretch
Stand upright and interlock your ngers. Bend your arms and place them above your head while forcing your elbows and hands backwards. Vary the height of your hands.
Parallel Arm Shoulder Stretch
Trapezius Supraspinatus Rhomboid minor Deltoid Rhomboid major Latissimus dorsi
Stand upright and place one arm across your body. Keep your arm parallel to the ground and pull your elbow towards your opposite shoulder.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder.
Anterior deltoid Pectoralis minor Pectoralis major
Rotating Wrist Stretch
Place one arm straight out in front and parallel to the ground. Rotate your wrist down and outwards and then use Brachioradialis your other Extensor digitorum hand to further Supinator (deep layer) Extensor carpi ulnaris rotate your hand Extensor pollicis brevis upwards. Extensor pollicis longus
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Tennis elbow. Golfers elbow. Throwers elbow. Wrist sprain. Wrist dislocation. Wrist tendonitis. Carpel tunnel syndrome. Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Palms-out Wrist Stretch
Interlock your ngers in front of your chest and then straighten your arms and turn the palms of your hands outwards.
Flexor carpi radialis Flexor carpi ulnaris Flexor digitorum supercialis Flexor pollicis longus Flexor digitorum profundus
Latissimus dorsi Serratus anterior
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder. Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inammation.
Kneeling Forearm Stretch
While crouching on your knees with your forearms facing forward and hands pointing backwards, slowly move Biceps brachii rearward. Brachioradialis
Reaching Upper Back Stretch
Trapezius Rhomboid minor Rhomboid major
Palmaris longus Pronator teres Anconeus
Stand with your arms out in front and crossed over. Push your hands forward as far as possible and let your head fall forward.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Neck muscle strain. Whiplash. Cervical nerve stretch syndrome. Wryneck. Upper back muscle strain. Upper back ligament sprain.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Tennis elbow. Golfers elbow. Throwers elbow. Wrist sprain. Wrist dislocation. Wrist tendonitis. Carpel tunnel syndrome. Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Parallel Arm Chest Stretch
Stand with your arm extended to the rear and parallel to the ground. Hold on to an immovable object and then turn your shoulders and body away from your outstretched arm.
Triceps Stretch
Stand with your hand behind your neck and your elbow pointing upwards. Then use your other hand (or a rope or towel) to pull your elbow down.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Biceps tendon rupture. Bicepital tendonitis. Biceps strain. Elbow strain. Elbow dislocation. Elbow bursitis. Tennis elbow. Golfers elbow. Throwers elbow.
Finger Stretch
Place the tips of your ngers together and push your palms toward each other.
Flexor digitorum supercialis Flexor carpi ulnaris
Cross Over Shoulder Stretch
Stand with your knees bent. Cross your arms over and grab the back of your knees. Then start to rise upwards until you feel tension in your upper back and shoulders.
Trapezius
Brachioradialis Brachialis Biceps brachii Anterior deltoid Pectoralis minor Pectoralis major
Triceps brachii Teres minor Teres major Latissimus dorsi
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder. Biceps tendon rupture. Bicepital tendonitis. Biceps strain. Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inammation.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Elbow sprain. Elbow dislocation. Elbow bursitis. Triceps tendon rupture.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Tennis elbow. Golfers elbow. Throwers elbow. Wrist sprain. Wrist dislocation. Wrist tendonitis. Carpel tunnel syndrome. Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Fingers-down Wrist Stretch
Hold on to your ngers while straightening your arm. Pull your ngers toward your body.
Extensor carpi radialis brevis Extensor carpi radialis longus Extensor digitorum Extensor indicis (deep layer) Extensor digiti minimi Extensor carpi ulnaris
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder.
Elbow-out Rotator Stretch
Stand with your hand behind the middle of your back and your elbow pointing out. Reach over with your other hand and gently pull your elbow forward.
Sternocleidomastoideus Deltoid Pectoralis major
Arm-up Rotator Stretch
Stand with your arm out and your forearm pointing upwards at 90 degrees. Place a broomstick in your hand and behind your elbow. With your other hand pull the bottom of the broomstick forward.
Bent-over Chest Stretch
Anterior deltoid Teres major Pectoralis minor Pectoralis major Serratus anterior
Face a wall and place both hands on the wall just above your head. Slowly lower your shoulders as if moving your chin toward the ground.
Biceps brachii Triceps brachii
Subscapularis
Teres minor
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Tennis elbow. Golfers elbow. Throwers elbow. Wrist sprain. Wrist dislocation. Wrist tendonitis. Carpel tunnel syndrome. Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Supraspinatus Infraspinatus Teres minor Teres major
Teres major
Teres major
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder. Chest strain. Pectoral muscle insertion inammation.
US$19.97
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder.
Sports injury where stretch may be useful Dislocation. Subluxation. Acromioclavicular separation. Sternoclavicular separation. Impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis. Frozen shoulder.
www.TheStretchingInstitute.com
