The rotating stomach stretch is performed in a cobra-like position where you press your upper body off the floor, then rotate your torso to look over each shoulder alternately. It stretches the abs, obliques, and chest while mobilizing the thoracic spine through rotation. It is an effective stretch for the entire front body.
Muscle Group
Abs, Back
Equipment Required
Bodyweight
Type
Flexibility
Equipment
Band
Difficulty
Intermediate
Key Benefits
- Stretches the abs, obliques, and chest
- Mobilizes the thoracic spine through rotation
- Counteracts hunched posture from sitting
- Combines extension with rotation in one stretch
- No equipment needed
- Excellent ab counter-stretch after core training
How to perform
- Lie face down on the floor with hands placed beside your shoulders.
- Press your hands into the floor and lift your chest into a cobra position. Keep hips on the floor.
- From the cobra position, rotate your torso to the right, looking over your right shoulder toward your right heel.
- Hold the rotation for 5 to 10 seconds. Feel the deeper stretch through your left abdominal and side.
- Return to center cobra.
- Rotate to the left, looking over your left shoulder.
- Hold and return to center.
- Repeat 3 to 5 rotations per side. Move slowly with breath control.
FRONT VIEW
BACK VIEW
Abs
Primary
Chest
Primary
Hip Flexors
Primary
Obliques
Primary