Seated Rib Cage Opener

Equipment Needed

Chair or bench

Instructions:

1. Sit in a chair and cross one leg over the other so both feet are near flat on the floor
2. Place your hands behind your head, you can interlock your fingers but don’t have to
3. Rotate your torso to the left as far as you can
4. Once you are at the end range lean left, bending at the rib cage as much as possible
5. Take 2 deep breaths into your chest
6. Stay rotated but return to the upright position
7. You should now be able to rotate left a bit further, repeat steps 3 – 6
8. After performing 3 repetitions to the left return to the starting position and follow the same steps but to the right

Common Error

Leaning from the low back. Many people can’t move well from the ribcage so they lean using their low back. This drill opens up the ribcage so focus on trying to lean from that region, even if it isn’t a lot of movement.

Progressions / Regressions:

If this is too challenging:

• N/A

If you want more of a challenge:

• N/A