Fit Body:

Shoulder Posture Stretch

Stretch Break: Stand up. Raise your right hand straight up overhead and then lower it behind your upper back. At the same time, move your left hand down and behind your back, then up to grasp your right hand. Hold for 3 deep breaths, and then release. Repeat with your left hand up and over, and your right hand down and back.

Stretch Break: Shoulder Posture Stretch

Fit Body:

At the Office Neck Stretch

Tight neck and upper back muscles contribute to a forward-hunched posture. Take a break from sitting every hour and do this neck, shoulder and upper back stretch. Stand up tall. Inhale and pull your shoulders down and back. Exhale and drop your right ear toward your right shoulder. If comfortable, place your right hand on top of your right ear. Be sure you’re not pulling with your hand, but simply resting your hand. Then release. Next, inhale and pull your shoulders down and back again to set correct posture and alignment, and then exhale dropping your left ear toward your left shoulder.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

At the Office Neck Stretch

Fit Body:

Hand and Finger Range of Motion

Do your hands ache? Do you work at a computer all day or perform small detailed work using your hands often? Performing hand and finger range of motion daily is important to increase circulation and decrease soreness and stiffness. Here’s how to begin:

Make a loose fist with each hand, and then release. Do 5-8 times.

Squeeze your fingers together (keeping your fingers straight), then separate 5-8 times.

Curl in your fingertips only, then straighten. Do 5-8 times.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Do your hands ache?

Palm-Down Wrist Stretch

Un-do your computer work with this every day wrist stretch. Here’s how:

Extend your right arm forward with your palm facing down and your elbow straight. Curl your fingers down and in. Gently hold your right hand with your left hand if more comfortable. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Next, extend your left arm forward and curl your fingers down and in.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

At-Your-Computer Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Side Stretch

Do this full body stretch daily to release muscle tension. Begin standing. Reach your right arm straight up overhead, gently lean to your left. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.  Next, reach your left arm straight up overhead, lean to your right. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Standing Side Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Shoulder Stretch

Tight shoulders from sitting at your desk? Do this stretch every few hours. Reach your right arm straight up overhead. Keeping your torso upright, bend your right elbow and reach your right hand toward your upper back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, or 3 deep breaths. Release. Repeat reach your left arm straight up overhead.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Feel-Good Shoulder Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Hamstring Stretch

Been sitting a lot? Stretch your hamstrings a lot!

Begin standing, facing a step or chair. Place your right foot up on the chair. Keeping your back straight, bend forward slightly from your hips. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch placing your left foot up on the chair. Bend forward from your hips, hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Sitting all day? Do this stretch…

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Inner Thigh and Hamstring Stretch

Do this stretch for runners after your next workout. Begin standing and pull your right foot up in front of your belly button. Move your right knee to the side of your body. Hold your lower leg and ankle with both hands, keeping  your lower leg parallel to the floor. Keep your torso straight and shoulders back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat pulling your left foot up in front of your body. Using both hands hold your left calf and ankle, letting your knee fall to the side. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise. This stretch is for those without injury concerns.

Stretch for Runners

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Computer stretch for your hands.

Extend one arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing down. Pull your shoulders down and back. Gently curl your fingers in and bend your wrist down. Hold for a count of 10, then release. Repeat with your other arm.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Do this stretch at your desk

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Stretch your Chest and Front Shoulder!

Stand up. Place your right hand on the wall or door frame slightly lower than shoulder level. Keep your elbow straight, and gently turn your body away from your hand. Pull your right shoulder down and back feeling a stretch across your chest and front shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch placing your left hand on the wall or door frame.

Stretching your chest and front shoulder allows for proper posture. This means you stand up straight, longer! Proper posture reduces muscle tension and stress that comes from slouching. Taking regular stand up stretching breaks during your day reminds your body of neutral or a properly aligned body position. You’ll have more energy and feel better!

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stand Up Straight with this Stretch!