Standing Neck Stretch | Illustrated Exercise Guide

Primary muscles: Neck
Secondary muscles: Shoulders, obliques
Equipment: No equipment

STANDING NECK STRETCH INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stand straight with your feet hip-width apart, grab your left wrist with your right hand and bring it toward your right hip.
2. Bend your torso to the right and gently drop your right ear toward your right shoulder.
3. Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, reverse sides and repeat.

PROPER FORM AND BREATHING PATTERN

Balance your weight evenly across both legs, lengthen the spine and breathe out as you bend your torso and stretch. Keep your neck soft and gently drop your ear toward the shoulder.

EXERCISE BENEFITS

The standing neck stretch helps relieve stress and tension in the neck area, stretches the shoulders and the obliques, improves range of motion and reduces the risk of injury.

INTENSITY AND DURATION

Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, reverse sides and repeat. If you’re experiencing persistent neck and shoulder tension, try this 16-minute tension relief flow.

CALORIES BURNED

To calculate the number of calories burned doing this standing neck stretch, enter your weight and the duration of the exercise:

RELATED STATIC STRETCHES

Try these other static stretches to help your body relax and reduce stress and tension in your muscles:
Ab stretch
Obliques stretch
Back stretch
Wall shoulder stretch