Back · Bodyweight
Overhead Lat Stretch
How to do the overhead lat stretch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Timed hold
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Mobility
How to do it
Raise one arm overhead and bend the elbow so your hand rests behind your head or upper back. Use the opposite hand to guide the elbow slightly inward while you keep your ribs down, creating a stretch through the side of the torso and lat. Hold, then switch sides.
- 1Feel the stretch run from your triceps down through your lat and side body as the elbow points up
- 2Keep your ribs stacked and your torso tall so the stretch stays in the side rather than the low back
- 3Use light pressure on the elbow and let the stretch build gradually
Common mistakes
- Do not crank the elbow forcefully or pinch the shoulder joint
- Avoid flaring your ribs or leaning sideways to fake more range
- Do not hold tension in your neck while reaching overhead
Muscles worked
The overhead lat stretch mainly works the lats.
- LatsPrimary
- TricepsMinor
Kovo programs the overhead lat stretch for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More back exercises
- How to do the archer pull-up
- How to do the resistance band assisted pull-up
- How to do the machine assisted pull-up
- How to do the back extension bench back extension
- How to do the machine back extension
- How to do the back lever
Last reviewed April 2026.