Skip to content
ascend.
Exercise guide

Upward Stretch

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

BeginnerStatic
Primary muscles

Shoulders

Secondary

Chest, Lats

Equipment

Bodyweight

Step by step

How to do the Upward Stretch

  1. 1

    Extend both hands straight above your head, palms touching.

  2. 2

    Slowly push your hands up and back, keeping your back straight.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

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

Train with a goal

Where the Upward Stretch fits

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

Related

More shoulders exercises

FAQ

Upward Stretch: common questions

What muscles does the Upward Stretch work?

The Upward Stretch primarily works the Shoulders. It also recruits the Chest and Lats as supporting muscles.

Is the Upward Stretch suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Upward Stretch is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Upward Stretch?

None. The Upward Stretch is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it without any equipment.

How do I do the Upward Stretch with correct form?

Extend both hands straight above your head, palms touching. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

Try the climb

Log your Upward Stretch sets, free.

Waitlist members get TestFlight + Play Store internal-track invites and a founder badge on their profile.

Free to join · No card · Founder badge kept
Ascend Club

The app is free. Club adds the coach, leagues and analytics.

Core tracking stays free forever, the climb, streaks, logging and your league tiers. Club is for when you want the full coach, worldwide competition and the depth, at about the price of one coffee a month.

See Club plans

14-day free trial · no card to start

 FreeClub
Tracking, the climb and streaks
Per-set logging, PR detection, wearables
Muscle-league tiers
The AI coachnudgesFull conversation
Worldwide leagues and challenges,
PR projections and deep analytics,
Unlimited crews,
Themes, export and higher AI limits,