/* 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

Man in black athletic wear performing a prone back extension exercise on a carpeted floor with arms extended backward.

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
Strength training truths revealed

Fit Planet

Strength training truths revealed

Strength training truths revealed
From side-hustle to motivating millions

Fit Planet

From side-hustle to motivating millions

From side-hustle to motivating millions
A new era of circuit training: How modern circuits can elevate your routine

Fit Planet

A new era of circuit training: How modern circuits can elevate your routine

A new era of circuit training: How modern circuits can elevate your routine
Exercise for anxiety and depression: New research reveals what works best

Fit Planet

Exercise for anxiety and depression: New research reveals what works best

Exercise for anxiety and depression: New research reveals what works best
Pregnancy modifications

Fit Planet

Pregnancy modifications

Pregnancy modifications
Les Mills and HYROX partner to maximize motivation for global fitness community

Fit Planet

Les Mills and HYROX partner to maximize motivation for global fitness community

Les Mills and HYROX partner to maximize motivation for global fitness community
Les Mills launches groundbreaking docuseries about search for world’s greatest fitness trainers

Fit Planet

Les Mills launches groundbreaking docuseries about search for world’s greatest fitness trainers

Les Mills launches groundbreaking docuseries about search for world’s greatest fitness trainers
Inside the surprising lives of fitness Instructors

Fit Planet

Inside the surprising lives of fitness Instructors

Inside the surprising lives of fitness Instructors
Why BMI is failing us (and what to use instead)

Fit Planet

Why BMI is failing us (and what to use instead)

Why BMI is failing us (and what to use instead)
How to train smarter: A leading performance coach explains

Fit Planet

How to train smarter: A leading performance coach explains

How to train smarter: A leading performance coach explains
Zing Coach integrates Les Mills workouts to help users unlock the 'omnifitness effect'

Fit Planet

Zing Coach integrates Les Mills workouts to help users unlock the 'omnifitness effect'

Zing Coach integrates Les Mills workouts to help users unlock the 'omnifitness effect'
Les Mills and Life Fitness announce strategic partnership to elevate fitness experiences

Fit Planet

Les Mills and Life Fitness announce strategic partnership to elevate fitness experiences

Les Mills and Life Fitness announce strategic partnership to elevate fitness experiences