/* MAKE SURE TO CHANGE THE NAME HERE AS WELL OTHERWISE CSS WONT CHANGE AND THE POPUP WONT WORK */

HOW TO HELP YOUR POSTURE

18.12.2017

Fitness

Modern office life – too much time on mobile phones and staring at computer screens – is giving us rounded shoulders and poor posture. This one move can help undo the damage.

It’s called the Prone Cobra (great name), a simple postural improvement exercise that will strengthen all the anti-slouch muscles of your back to improve your posture. Best of all, you can do it anytime, anywhere – without any equipment.

  • Start lying face down
  • Squeeze your butt hard
  • Lift your chest just off the floor – you don’t need to raise it super high
  • Turn your palms out and away from your body, so that your thumbs are turned up
  • Squeeze your shoulder blades tight
  • Keep your chin gently tucked so that your neck is long
  • Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat 3-4 times.

When you are in the correct position you should feel like your shoulders have rolled back and your chest is open. If you find it difficult to get your palms to turn out, you may need to stretch your pecs to help you get the correct range.

TIP: If you find holding for 20-30 seconds too challenging, simply aim for 10 x 10-second holds.

Watch me show how it’s done here:

Prone Cobra

You’ll find exercises similar to this in CXWORX™ so if you are looking to strengthen your core and improve your posture find a class.

Corey Baird

Corey Baird is one of New Zealand’s leading fitness professionals. He is a sought-after personal trainer, online trainer and group fitness presenter who regularly shares his technical advice and expertise across the Les Mills team.

Follow the freshest thinking @fitplanetmag.

Sign up to Fit Planet and get fresh health and fitness news and advice straight to your inbox. Subscribe

Fitness

MORE ARTICLES

Explore all
Research roundup: the true power of intensity revealed

Fit Planet

Research roundup: the true power of intensity revealed

Research roundup: the true power of intensity revealed
Food trends: What’s set to change about how we fuel our bodies?

Fit Planet

Food trends: What’s set to change about how we fuel our bodies?

Food trends: What’s set to change about how we fuel our bodies?
Why women can't afford to skip strength

Fit Planet

Why women can't afford to skip strength

Why women can't afford to skip strength
 Weight loss jabs: The side effect nobody’s talking about. And how to avoid it

Fit Planet

Weight loss jabs: The side effect nobody’s talking about. And how to avoid it

Weight loss jabs: The side effect nobody’s talking about. And how to avoid it
How to inspire fitness without saying a single naggy word

Fit Planet

How to inspire fitness without saying a single naggy word

How to inspire fitness without saying a single naggy word
Why it's time to switch up your fitness game

Fit Planet

Why it's time to switch up your fitness game

Why it's time to switch up your fitness game
Habit-forming advice and resolution myth-busting

Fit Planet

Habit-forming advice and resolution myth-busting

Habit-forming advice and resolution myth-busting
BODYPUMP HEAVY explained: Introducing the new workout of the decade

Fit Planet

BODYPUMP HEAVY explained: Introducing the new workout of the decade

BODYPUMP HEAVY explained: Introducing the new workout of the decade
Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Fit Planet

Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Get your pre-holiday HIIT
TRY THIS …  SIMPLE STRETCH

Fit Planet

TRY THIS … SIMPLE STRETCH

TRY THIS … SIMPLE STRETCH
7 quick wins for your health

Fit Planet

7 quick wins for your health

7 quick wins for your health
START 2026 F.R.E.S.H

Fit Planet

START 2026 F.R.E.S.H

START 2026 F.R.E.S.H