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

Kneeling Arm Raise for Strong Shoulders and Core

Do this all in one exercise to strengthen your shoulders and core. Here are your form pointers for the Kneeling Arm Raise exercise: Begin on your hands and knees on the floor. Hold a weight in each hand. Make sure each hand and weight is securely placed on the floor. Keeping your torso still, lift your right arm straight out the side of your body about six inches. Do 10 reps, then release. Next, lift your left arm straight up out to the side of your body. Do 10 reps. Be sure to keep your shoulders pulled down into your body and your back straight during the entire range of motion.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Strong Shoulders and Core

Fit Body:

Lying Tricep Press for Strong Arms

Build strong arm muscles, shoulders and abs with the Lying Tricep Press exercise. Begin lying down. Hold one weight in each hand. Lift the weight over your head, keeping your elbows directly over your shoulders. Next, keeping your upper arms straight up and down, lower the weight to the side of your head about 3-4 inches.  Then keeping your upper arms still, push your arms to straight to complete one rep. Start with 10 reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Strong Arms

Develop a Strong Back and Core

The Opposite Arm Raise exercise requires a strong and stable core. Begin with only one arm completing one motion to learn the exercise. When you’re confident in your form, add the other arm and move simultaneously. Begin without weights. Once you master form, hold a light weight in each hand. Stand with both feet together and your knees slightly bent. Bend forward from your hips, keeping your torso aligned. Bend both arms tucking your elbows into your waist. In one motion, extend your right arm forward and up, and your left arm back and up. Slowly return to your tucked-elbow position to complete one rep. Next, extend your right arm back and up, and your let arm forward and up. Begin with 10 reps total.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Develop a Strong Back and Core

Fit Body:

Seated Row

The Seated Row is an effective exercise to strengthen your upper and middle back muscles. These are essential muscles for maintaining good posture while sitting, standing and lifting. Begin seated with your feet forward and flat. The seat  should be at a level where your hips are slightly higher than your knees, and your feet can rest on the floor comfortably. Next hold a handle in each hand. Pull your shoulders down and back, and your belly button in. Begin by pinching your shoulder blades together, then keeping your torso stable, pull both handles in toward your chest about 6-8 inches. Pause to break momentum, and then slowly return to your starting position with both arms straight.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Seated Row for Better Posture

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Arm Stretch

If you’ve been sitting at a computer for hours, it’s time for a stretch break. Stand up. Extend your right arm straight out in front of you with your arm parallel to the floor. Curl your fingers down and in. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Next, extend your left arm straight out in front of you; curl your fingers down and in, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stretch Break!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Posture Reset!

Reset your posture after sitting at your desk with this exercise. Lie face down on your stability ball. Pull your torso up slightly to be in line with your legs. Tuck your chin into your chest. Raise both arms up to the side of your body. Rotate your hands to the outside of your body, so your thumbs are facing up. Balance with your legs, and lift both arms up about six inches. Pause for one seconds, and then slowly lower six inches. Start with ten reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Posture Reset!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Row for upper body strength!

Rowing strengthens your upper back, lower back, shoulders, arms and core. Master proper form without weight first, and then choose a light weight to begin adding load to your muscles. Maintain proper posture and control during the entire range of motion. Bend forward from your hips, keep your back aligned with your chin tucked into your chest. Hold the barbell slightly wider than shoulder width. Pulling your shoulders back, lift the bar toward your belly button, pause, slowly lower the bar until your arms are straight. Start with 10 reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Row for Upper Body Strength!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Strengthen your Shoulders!

Strong shoulders improves posture. Start with this Kneeling Reverse Fly exercise:

Begin on your hands and knees. Without weight, lift your right arm straight up to the side of your body. Keep your torso stable and don’t rotate your shoulders or hips. Do 10 reps, then release your right hand back to the floor. Next, lift and lower your left arm. Do 10 reps. When you have mastered correct form without weight, try lifting a small weight. This is an exercise where proper technique and form is paramount, not the amount of weight or even reps. Take your time, go slow and learn the proper movement pattern before progressing.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Strong Shoulders =Better Posture!

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Straighten Up Your Posture with Wall Snow Angels!

Doing range of motion exercise is effective in reducing muscle tension. Range of motion also works to realign posture after sitting at your desk all day. Range of motion means continuous gentle pain-free movement which can be less strenuous that a stretch hold, especially when muscles are tight. Here’s how to begin:

Stand with your back against a wall. Place both arms along side your body against the wall, with your palms forward. Bend both elbows and slide both arms up the wall about six inches, feeling a gentle stretch across your chest and front shoulder. For intermediate exercises with a good comfortable stretching base, stop when your elbows are about shoulder-level. If you’re new to exercise, stop when your hands are shoulder level. Repeat this moving range of motion 5-8 times.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Straighten Up Your Posture