Back · Bodyweight
Overhead Stretch
How to do the overhead 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
Stand tall and lace your fingers together overhead with your palms facing up. Reach upward through your hands while keeping your shoulders down and ribs stacked, creating length through the front and back of your torso. Hold while breathing steadily.
- 1Feel a long stretch through your lats, rib cage, and shoulders as you reach upward
- 2Keep your torso tall and your ribs down so the stretch comes from lengthening, not from arching your back
- 3Let the reach feel smooth and expansive rather than forceful
Common mistakes
- Do not shrug your shoulders up into your ears or lock out your neck
- Avoid flaring your ribs or leaning backward to make the stretch look bigger
- Do not force your palms together if it strains your wrists or shoulders
Muscles worked
The overhead stretch works the lats.
- LatsSupport
- TricepsMinor
- Upper ChestMinor
- ObliquesMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the overhead 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.