Unlock Your Lats: Top Stretching Exercises!

Do you need to stretch? Do your lats look like they’ve been locked away in prison with no chance of parole? Fear not, for I have the top stretching exercises that will unlock those bad boys and have you feeling like a free man (or woman) again.

What are Lats?

Before we dive into the stretches, let’s talk about what exactly our “lats” are. The latissimus dorsi muscles, or lats for short, are large muscles that span from the upper arm bones all the way down to the lower spine area. They play a major role in many activities such as reaching overhead or pulling movements. So if yours feel tight and unyielding – don’t despair just yet!

Why You Should Stretch

  1. Improves Mobility
  2. Relieves Tightness
  3. Prevents Injury

You may be wondering why you should stretch your lats in particular? Well, besides improving mobility and preventing injury, loosening these muscles can help relieve tightness which can lead to better posture over time – because let’s be honest here – nobody wants to walk around with shoulders hunched up by their ears!

Now onto some stretches:

1. Arm Across Chest Stretch

  • Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Extend one arm straight out in front of your
    chest.
  • Use your opposite hand to gently pull elbow
    towards chest until a gentle stretch is felt
    through outer aspect of shoulder complex.

Hold this position for at least 30 seconds before switching arms.

2. Wall-Assisted Lat Stretch

This one requires only a wall so there really isn’t any excuse not to give it a try!

  • Place both hands on wall with palms facing
    downward extending out from shoulders height.
  • Walk forward until body forms an ″L″ shape.
  • Lower body down slightly by bending the hips
    and keeping back straight until a gentle stretch is felt through lats area.

Hold this position for at least 30 seconds before standing up and repeating if necessary.

3. Floor Angel Stretch

This exercise can be used as both an assessment tool or simply as a stretch. All you need is comfortable clothing and enough space on the floor to lie flat on your back (no yoga mat required – in fact, the harder surface of flooring may provide better sensation).

  • Lie flat on your back with arms extended out
    from shoulders so that they’re in line with
    shoulders.
  • Keeping contact with floor throughout entire
    range of motion, slowly lower hands overhead
    towards ground (stopping at any point where
    discomfort or inability to maintain good
    posture is noted).

Hold this position for 10 seconds before returning to starting position. Repeat sequence at least five times overall – gradually increasing time spent holding stretch each go round.

4. Child’s Pose

It’s important not to forget about our backs when stretching areas like ours lats! Sometimes we forget how effective yoga poses can be without even trying too hard!

Here are some steps you should take:

  1. Begin kneeling on all fours .
  2. Slowly push backwards into Child’s Pose.The
    tip here is not using complete force but just let gravity bring you comfortably into pose whilst still controlling it(not completely falling forward).
    3 .Place arms extended straight ahead palms faced down onto mat/ground
    (without dropping below shoulder height)
    4.Relax neck .You will feel neat & comfortable inside your skin,believe me!I know,right?😛

Take deep breaths while relaxing under gravity-provided pressure.And after about 30 seconds, come out foward back ito initial start-up posture.#phew#

5. Seated Forward Bend

This stretch is beyond basic! It provides a great hamstring stretch that extends to the lower back too.

  • Start seated with legs straight out in front
    of you.
  • Lengthen through your spine as you fold
    forward from the hips and extend arms out
    towards toes,flexing your feet towards facing up
    (toes pointing you).

You should maintain position for at least 30 seconds before switching things up !

6. Foam Roller Lat Stretch

If you have access to a foam roller (which happens to be my best friend when it comes to rolling away tight muscles) or towel, this exercise can provide additional comfort compared stretching just using just your hands and body weight .

Here are some two ways of doing it ;

  1. Place foam roller on ground and get positioned
    close enough such that left side of ribcage is
    sitting entirely atop equipment.Roll along ribs in slow,pain-free manner until tightness under
    shoulder blade area dissipates.Make about
    fifteen movements on each side alternatively.

  2. Try the same exercise against wall.Follow steps
    one all throughout only thsi tym ,end of rolling,
    pause somewhere around middle part.Create an
    angle as though there’s taller person behind
    pushing down slightly on shoulders.

Repeat these motions every day for effective results!

7.The Dynamic Scorpion Exercise

It’s intense,hilarious and rewarding combined.It also takes less then five minutes so no excuse not attempt this cool guy right here.

Let’s start with these easy-to-follows:

Place yourself face-down flat onto mat.Start making alternating scorpions by touching left foot with right hand across mid-back while extending opposites out fully;reversing motion,during next contact instance.Use head,and dip supporting leg upwards accordingly.Reverse sides after twenty reps.Leave yourself spinning internally & feeling like you’re experiencing a cyborg malfunction.

8. Thread the Needle Stretch

This stretch does its magic even better than detox tea! Watch us unravel this golden thread below.

  • Starting position is on hands and knees with wrists just in front of shoulders.
  • Rotate one arm to reach under opposite arm, allowing shoulder and upper torso area to open up with supported twist.Some will opt do it at full arm extension for more intensity on shoulders .
    (avoid rotating hips entirely here)

Hols that pose poperly for 30 seconds prioring switching sides.

9. Extended Puppy Pose

Here’s another yoga-inspired stretch that targets tension around the whole spinal region since it includes stretching both lats & hams.Man can live without many things but luxury of extending freely laying flat..Right?

Follow these steps:

1.Place yourself onto all fours – This should be your basic starting position .
2.Slide your arms forward while simultaneously sinking hips down towards floor
3.Make sure palms are touching ground whilst straightening out elbows sans locking them(just bee relaxing throughout)
4.Hold until fully relaxed before bringing yourself back into initial pose

So,slowly breathe in, exhale out..relax as much remaining semi-active.#itsuntimatelyworthit!

10. Quadruped T-Spine Windmill

In computer terminology,this would translate major systems update cycle.This drill completely revamps ones core stability which ultimately balances your strength values alongside mobility.Therefore,it is one formidabble exercise.We’ve got you covered(tightly stretched)

These four steps are enough:

1.Start off literally stating like a quadruped–on hands & feet (e.g., bear crawl).
2.Extend right hand towards ceiling;rotating chest.with elbow extended directly from wrist
and open upwards,twist torso toward direction ceiling end faces.Arrive at top opening
maximizes feel.
3-4.Repeat the same move with other arm.

Do at least ten sets to make your schedule work.#Funfun

11. Shoulder Opener Stretch

Get ready for this nice and easy drill! Just halfway through & feel lighter on shoulders 😄🥳 !

1.Start off standing, shoulder-width distance maintained.
2.Use right hand grab left elbow, placing it way far behind,reaching over or between into lower back as you will,by flexing spine backwards and looking up(optional).
3-4.Switch arms according to previous sequence outlined(so that both sides of lats area are reached).

Hold each side replacement stretch position for atleast twenty seconds before coming out.

In conclusion these top stretching exercises should be more than enough to help ease tension in your lats. Remember that while performing any type of exercise,it’s important to listen carefully to your body ; there is no need push yourself further if something feels uncomfortable – this defeats entire purpose .Stretch regularly and see The ununsuprisingly unexpected miracle unfold considering how little effort it takes.Stay unlocked,ladies!

Random Posts