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Exercise guide

Behind Head Chest Stretch

How to do the Behind Head Chest Stretch with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

IsolationOtherExpertStatic
Primary muscles

Chest

Secondary

Shoulders

Equipment

Other

Step by step

How to do the Behind Head Chest Stretch

  1. 1

    Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you.

  2. 2

    Place your hands behind your hand, and push your elbows back as far as you can. Your partner should hold your elbows. This will be your starting position.

  3. 3

    Gently attempt to pull your elbows forward with your hands still behind your head for 10 or more seconds. Your partner should prevent your elbows from moving.

  4. 4

    Now, relax your muscles and have your partner gently pull the elbows back as far as it comfortable for you. Be sure to let your partner know when the stretch is adequate to prevent overstretching or injury.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Behind Head Chest Stretch set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your chest volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Behind Head Chest Stretch fits

The Behind Head Chest Stretch shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More chest exercises

FAQ

Behind Head Chest Stretch: common questions

What muscles does the Behind Head Chest Stretch work?

The Behind Head Chest Stretch primarily works the Chest. It also recruits the Shoulders as supporting muscles.

Is the Behind Head Chest Stretch suitable for beginners?

The Behind Head Chest Stretch is an expert-level exercise. It demands well-developed strength, mobility and technique, so it suits experienced lifters more than beginners.

Is the Behind Head Chest Stretch a compound or isolation exercise?

The Behind Head Chest Stretch is an isolation exercise, it targets the chest through a single joint, which makes it useful for focused, targeted work.

How do I do the Behind Head Chest Stretch with correct form?

Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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