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Neck 3

A series of stretches designed to increase flexibility in the neck.

Exercise Overview

Exercise Instructions

Shoulder Rolls demonstration

1. Shoulder Rolls

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Lift your shoulders up towards your ears.
  • Roll your shoulders back and down, making a circular motion.
  • Repeat the movement and reverse direction at the halfway point.

Tips

  • Focus on creating a smooth, fluid motion to avoid straining your neck.
  • Keep your neck relaxed and your gaze forward.

Modifications

  • If you experience discomfort, perform smaller circles or just lift and lower your shoulders.

Benefits

Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back

Neck Roll demonstration

2. Neck Roll

Instructions

  • Start from a seated position with your back straight and your shoulder relaxed.
  • Tuck your chin down towards your chest and gently roll your neck to the right, bringing your right ear towards your right shoulder.
  • Roll your chin back down towards your chest and then roll your neck to the left, bringing your left ear towards your left shoulder.
  • Repeat this back and forth in a slow, continuous motion.

Tips

  • Move slowly and gently to avoid strain or dizziness.
  • Minimize your risk of injury by avoiding full neck circles.

Modifications

  • If you have neck pain, limit your range of motion to a comfortable level.

Benefits

Neck, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Upward Salute demonstration

3. Upward Salute

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly sweep your arms out and up over your head.
  • Keep your hands shoulder-width apart and reach toward the ceiling.
  • Relax your shoulders and look slightly upward.

Tips

  • Ground your feet firmly into the floor and distribute your weight evenly between your feet.
  • Engage your core muscles to avoid arching your lower back.

Modifications

  • For less intensity, place your hands behind your head or on your hips.

Benefits

Abdomen, Chest, Lats, Obliques, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Chin Retractions demonstration

4. Chin Retractions

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Engage your neck muscles to tuck your chin down and draw it backwards.
  • Use your hand to assist the movement and hold the position.

Tips

  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid tilting your head up or down.

Modifications

  • To ensure proper form, perform the exercise while lying on your back.

Benefits

Neck

Diver demonstration

5. Diver

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your back straight and your arms resting at your sides.
  • Extend your arms out in front of you, bringing your hands together so one hand is on top of the other.
  • Tuck your head down between your arms and round your back while reaching forward with your hands.

Tips

  • Keep your core engaged and your feet flat on the floor.

Benefits

Lower Back, Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back

Cactus Arms demonstration

6. Cactus Arms

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your back straight and your arms resting at your sides.
  • Raise your arms to shoulder height, bending your elbows at a 90-degree angle with your palms facing forward.
  • Keep your elbows in line with your shoulders and your forearms perpendicular to the floor.
  • Squeeze your shoulder blades together, opening your chest.

Tips

  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and away from your ears.
  • Keep your neck long and gaze straight ahead.

Modifications

  • If you experience shoulder discomfort, lower your elbows slightly.
  • For added support, practice the pose with your back against a wall.

Benefits

Chest, Neck, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Neck Extension demonstration

7. Neck Extension

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly tilt your head back, lifting your chin towards the ceiling.
  • Place your fingertips under your chin and gently push your head further back.

Tips

  • Keep your mouth closed and your jaw relaxed.
  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders down.

Benefits

Neck

Neck Flexion demonstration

8. Neck Flexion

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly tilt your head forward, bringing your chin towards your chest.
  • Interlace your fingers behind your head and gently pull your head further down.

Tips

  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
  • Avoid rounding your upper back.

Benefits

Neck, Upper Back

Ear-to-Shoulder demonstration

9. Ear-to-Shoulder

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder.
  • Place your opposite hand behind your back and your other hand on the top of your head and gently pull down.

Tips

  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
  • Don't lift or tuck your chin; keep it in a neutral position.

Benefits

Neck, Shoulders

Scalene Stretch demonstration

10. Scalene Stretch

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Cross your hands and place them firmly on your chest, just below your neck.
  • Slowly lower your ear to your shoulder, then rotate your neck and point your chin up toward the ceiling.

Tips

  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Benefits

Chest, Neck, Shoulders, Spine

Scapula Stretch demonstration

11. Scapula Stretch

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly turn your head to one side, then tilt your head downward to look at your armpit.
  • Place your hand on the top of your head and gently pull down.

Tips

  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Benefits

Neck, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Neck Rotation demonstration

12. Neck Rotation

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms at your sides.
  • Slowly turn your head to one side, looking over your shoulder.
  • Place your fingertips on the side of your chin and gently push your head further.

Tips

  • Keep your head level throughout the rotation; don't tilt it up or down.
  • Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Benefits

Neck

Wall Arms demonstration

13. Wall Arms

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and the side of your shoulder against a wall.
  • Keeping your feet in place, rotate your torso and reach back with your arm to place your palm against the wall at shoulder height.
  • Keep your hand against the wall and rotate your torso back to face forward.

Tips

  • Your knees, hips, and shoulders should be square and in line at the end of the movement.

Benefits

Biceps, Chest, Shoulders

One Arm Hug demonstration

14. One Arm Hug

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your back straight and your arms resting at your sides.
  • Extend one arm across your body, bringing it towards the opposite shoulder.
  • Hook your other arm around your extended arm to pull it closer to your chest.

Tips

  • Maintain an upright posture and avoid leaning to either side.
  • Keep your extended arm relaxed.

Modifications

  • For a gentler stretch, lower your extended arm to your abdomen and pull it with your other hand.

Benefits

Lats, Shoulders, Triceps

Doorway Pecs demonstration

15. Doorway Pecs

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position in an open doorway.
  • Place both of your palms and forearms against the sides of the doorframe at shoulder height, forming 90-degrees at your elbows.
  • Step one foot forward and lean forward through the doorway until your feel a stretch in your chest.

Tips

  • Keep your shoulder blades pulled down and back.
  • Maintain a neutral spine and avoid arching your lower back.

Modifications

  • For less intensity, don't lean as far forward.

Benefits

Chest, Shoulders

Overhead Tricep demonstration

16. Overhead Tricep

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your back straight and your arms resting at your sides.
  • Raise one arm overhead and bend your elbow, bringing your hand towards the opposite shoulder blade.
  • Use your opposite hand to gently press your elbow down towards the middle of your back

Benefits

Chest, Lats, Lower Back, Obliques, Shoulders, Triceps, Upper Back

Reverse Shoulder demonstration

17. Reverse Shoulder

Instructions

  • Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.
  • Clasp your hands behind your back with your thumbs pointing towards the floor.
  • Straighten your arms and gently lift your hands away from your back.
  • Pull your shoulders back and down, lift your chest, and slightly tuck your chin.

Tips

  • Keep your core engaged to support your lower back.
  • Avoid arching your back excessively.

Modifications

  • For less intensity, don't lift your hands as high behind your back.

Benefits

Biceps, Chest, Shoulders

Bear Hug demonstration

18. Bear Hug

Instructions

  • Start from a standing or seated position with your back straight and your arms out to the sides.
  • Wrap your arms around yourself, placing your hands on your shoulder blades.
  • Squeeze your arms around your upper body, round your upper back, and tuck your chin to your chest.

Tips

  • Exhale at the beginning of the movement to make it easier to wrap your arms around your body.

Modifications

  • For less intensity, perform the exercise with your arms crossed in front of your chest.

Benefits

Neck, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

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