How to Perform a Bicep Stretch: Techniques, Benefits, Variations

Also known as: Chest opener (if standing)

Target: Biceps, Chest, Shoulders

Necessary equipment: No equipment needed

Level: Beginners

A thigh lift is a great way to improve flexibility, range of motion, arm strength, and reduce your risk of injury. Doing this stretch is aimed at focusing on the biceps (biceps), but is also beneficial for opening the chest and shoulder muscles depending on the variation.

Flexibility is one of the five components of fitness and is significantly improved with a stretching program. This is a good reason to include biceps stretch during an arm or upper body workout. Stretching not only complements your workout, but also plays an essential role in a comprehensive exercise program.

Arm exercises can include biceps curl exercises, where biceps shortening and elongation occur. The muscle is located in the front of the upper arm and affects movement in the shoulder and elbow. In fact, the biceps muscles are the main driving force when you flex your elbows during biceps curls. It also supports flexion and lowering of the shoulder, and supination (rotation) of the forearm.

A tummy tuck requires no equipment and can be done at the gym or in the comfort of your home. It’s a great way to supplement your existing arm or upper body workout.

If you’re new to biceps stretching and aren’t used to stretching, you may want to consider joining a qualified personal trainer.

Benefit

The biceps stretch targets the biceps (biceps) muscles but can also open the chest and shoulder muscles. This stretch, like all stretching, helps relieve muscle tension and tension caused by exercise stress or other daily activities.

The following benefits are great reasons you might want to consider adding a biceps lift to your current arm or upper body workout routine:

• Increased flexibility
• Improved range of motion
• Improve muscle function
• Reduce muscle tension/tension
• Improve your posture
• Relax and be happy
• Reduce the risk of injury
• Strength improvement
• Improve athletic performance

Step by step instructions

The tummy tuck has many variations to choose from and is easy to add to your biceps workout. The following instructions will teach you how to stretch your calves while sitting:

1. Sit on the floor/exercise mat with your head, neck, and spine aligned. Avoid arching or arching your back during the stretch.
2. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor in front of your hips.
3. Place your palms on the floor behind your back, fingers pointing away from your body.
4. Adjust body weight evenly between feet, buttocks, and arms.
5. Without moving your hands, exhale and slowly slide your butt forward toward your legs until you feel a stretch in your biceps (you should also feel a stretch in your shoulders/chest). Avoid bouncing or stretching that causes pain.
6. Hold the pose for about 30 seconds.
7. Back to the starting position
8. Repeat for a specified period of interval intervals.

Common mistake

The thigh lift is a great addition to your biceps or upper body workout. However, even stretching can cause discomfort or injury if not done properly. Avoid these common mistakes for a safe and effective facelift:

Curved / Backwards

Curved or arched back indicates improper posture during exercise. This can be easily remedied by maintaining a tight core and having your chest lifted when stretched. Focus on good body mechanics and spine awareness to stretch the biceps correctly.

Learn too much

Overtraining can increase the risk of muscle injury. Perform the exercise by stretching to a painless, stretch point. This will maximize your stretching benefits, reduce potential injury, and promote a positive experience.

Bounces during movement

The biceps stretch is not a ballistic stretch (bounce) but a controlled movement consisting of a static stretch (hold). Ballistic stretching should be avoided as muscles/tissues are more prone to injury. It is also recommended to perform ballistic stretching under the supervision of a qualified sports professional.

Modifications and Variations

Thigh lifts can be performed in a variety of ways to suit your fitness level and stretching preference.

Need a modification?

If you’re new to a tummy tuck, you may want to try these simple variations:

Alternate biceps stretch: Perform a biceps stretch with your hands on the table behind you instead of sitting on the floor. Step your feet out a little and squat down about halfway down your body until you can feel your biceps stretch.

Standing biceps muscle tension: A simplified version is done in a standing position with fingers interlaced behind your back, palms facing up or down. Raise your arms behind you until you feel a stretch in your biceps. You will also feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders. Find the angle and hand position that works best for you.

Stretch biceps wall: Stretch your biceps one by one with this easy version. Standing with your palms against the wall and with one arm straight, slowly rotate away from the wall until you feel a stretch in your arms, chest, and shoulders. Repeat on the other side. (This stretch can be done at high, mid, and low points on the wall for an even greater challenge of flexibility.)

Doorway biceps stretch: Similar to stretch wall bicep but stand in doorway. Grip the door to your back and step forward with your legs on the same side, bending your knees slightly and shifting your weight forward until you feel a stretch in your arms and shoulders. Repeat on the other side.

Horizontal Arm Extension: This simple version can be done sitting or standing and extending your arms to the side parallel to the floor. Rotate your thumbs down, palms facing back until you feel a stretch in your biceps. Hold the pose for about 30 seconds.

Want to join a challenge?

Once you’ve gained significant arm strength and are comfortable with the biceps stretches above, you can add these advanced variations to increase the challenge of the stretch:

Overhead Holding Bicep Bar Stretching hands: This version of the biceps stretch requires an overhead bar for a tight hold. Bring both hands up, grasp the bar with your elbows extended, and lean your body weight forward until you feel a stretch in your biceps.

Stretch the upper arm muscles: Challenging biceps stretch that uses hovering body weight to stretch the biceps. Raise your arms overhead, grab onto a stabilizer bar with elbows extended, and hang freely without feet touching the ground. Keep your core active to prevent swaying to stretch the biceps.

Hanging on the head Single biceps stretch: A more advanced version of the biceps sling, except that you’re free to hang one hand to the stabilizer bar at a time. Grasp the overhead guard with one hand and hold the core firmly to prevent swaying during this stretch.

Safety and Precautions

Thigh lifts, like all stretching exercises, require good form and technique to be effective and safe.

The following tips will help you perform the biceps stretch correctly and reduce your risk of injury:

• Do a 3- to 5-minute aerobic warm-up to increase blood flow to the muscles before stretching. This will reduce your risk of injury and maximize your flexibility during the stretch. Or stretch your biceps after upper body when your muscles are ready.
• Avoid arching or arching your back to maintain good body mechanics during the stretch.
• Stretch to a painless tension point using keen body awareness. You should feel a gentle pulling sensation on the muscle that is considered normal. Feeling pain is a sign that you are pushing too hard.
• Avoid bouncing (ballistic motion) while stretching to avoid injury to the muscle.
• Do not hold your breath. Maintain a steady, relaxed breathing rate during the stretch to provide much-needed oxygenated blood to the muscles.
• Avoid locking the elbow while the arm is extended.
• If you feel pain or discomfort that doesn’t feel right during the biceps stretch, stop the exercise.

Trial

Incorporate this and similar moves into one of these popular exercises: