World's Greatest Stretch
Bodyweight, hip flexors and hamstrings
The world's greatest stretch steps into a deep lunge with both hands on the floor, then turns and reaches one arm to the ceiling. It opens the hips and hamstrings and turns the upper back. It suits almost anyone as a warm up before a session.
Setting up
- Stand tall with space to step forward.
- Step one foot well forward into a deep lunge.
How to do a world's greatest stretch
- Place both hands on the floor inside the front foot.
- Keep the back leg long and the hips low.
- Turn the chest toward the front leg and reach the inside arm to the ceiling.
- Follow the hand with the eyes.
- Bring the hand back down, then switch sides.
Breathing. Breathe out as you reach up and breathe in as you bring the hand down.
Muscles worked
- Mainly
- Hip flexors and hamstrings
- Also
- Upper back and glutes
Common mistakes
- Back knee sagging to the floor. A long back leg gives the hip its stretch, so keep the knee off the floor.
- Turning only the arm. The upper back should turn, so rotate the chest with the arm.
- Rushing the reach. Slow reaches give the warm up its effect, so pause at the top.
Easier
- Easier
- Low Lunge
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
