How to do the Standing Lateral Stretch
Standing Lateral Stretch is a beginner multi-joint compound pulling exercise targeting the Lats in the Back region. Performed using bodyweight, it falls under the flexibility category. Secondary muscles engaged include Shoulders and Obliques.
Standing Lateral Stretch demonstration · © GymiaFit
Standing Lateral Stretch at a glance
- Primary muscles
- Lats
- Secondary muscles
- Shoulders, Obliques
- Equipment
- Body Weight
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Compound (multi-joint)
- Force
- Pull
Standing Lateral Stretch step by step
- 1Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- 2Extend your arms straight out to the sides, parallel to the ground.
- 3Slowly lean your upper body to one side, feeling a stretch in your side and lats.
- 4Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds.
- 5Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- 6Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Standing Lateral Stretch — questions
What muscles does the Standing Lateral Stretch work?
The Standing Lateral Stretch primarily targets the Lats. It also recruits the Shoulders, Obliques as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for the Standing Lateral Stretch?
None — the Standing Lateral Stretch uses your bodyweight only, so it works at home with nothing but floor space.
Is the Standing Lateral Stretch suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is classed as a beginner movement: the pattern is simple enough to learn in a session and easy to scale by adjusting range of motion or load.
What can I do instead of the Standing Lateral Stretch?
Back Pec Stretch, Gironda Sternum Chin, Kneeling Lat Stretch train the same muscles and make good substitutes when the equipment is taken or the movement does not suit you.
Log it, don't guess it.
The GymiaFit app has the Standing Lateral Stretch demo, form cues and set logging built in — plus a muscle map that shows what you have actually trained this week. Free on iOS and Android.