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Don't Be a Hunchback!

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Poor posture can be caused by tight muscles in your chest and weak muscles in your back. Try these exercises 3-4 times a week to stand up straight and look taller.

Stretch your chest

  • Stand in the middle of a doorway with one foot in front of the other
  • Bend your elbows to a 90 degree angle and place your forearms on either side of the doorway
  • Shift your weight to your front leg, leaning forward, until you feel a stretch in your chest muscles
  • Hold for 15 seconds
  • Relax and return to starting position
  • Repeat 10 times

Strengthen your back

Exercise 1: Shoulder Blade Squeeze

  • Stand or sit with your back straight
  • Your chin should be tucked in slightly with your shoulders slightly back
  • Slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together as hard and as far as possible provided the exercise is pain free
  • Hold for 5 seconds
  • Relax
  • Repeat 5 times

Exercise 2: Resistance Band Pull Backs

  • Stand or kneel with your back straight holding a resistance band in each hand that is tied securely to something in front of you
  • Slowly pull your arms backwards, squeezing your shoulder blades together
  • Hold for 2 seconds and slowly return to starting position
  • Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Sources: Vizniak, Nikita A. (2011). Muscle manual. Canada: Professional Health Systems Inc http://www.improvemyposture.com/

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