The Abdominals Stretch Variation One is a beginner-friendly bodyweight stretch that targets the abdominals. Here's how to do it right, and what to stop doing.
Primary musclesAbs
Secondary musclesNone
EquipmentBodyweight
LevelBeginner
TypeStretching
3D demo in the EGON app
01 Execution
How to do the Abdominals Stretch Variation One
Lie face down with your legs extended, forearms on the floor, elbows beneath the shoulders, and palms planted.
Press through your hands and begin lifting your chest as your elbows move away from the floor.
Continue straightening your arms into a comfortable cobra-style position while keeping your hips and thighs grounded.
Draw your shoulders down away from your ears and breathe slowly into the stretch across the abdomen.
Bend your elbows to lower with control until your forearms return to the floor.
Repeat through the same smooth forearm-to-extended-arm path without forcing the height.
02 The payoff
Why it earns its spot
Releases tension in the front of the core after heavy ab training.
Opens up the chest and improves overhead posture.
Resets the breath and prepares the body for the next exercise.
03 Don't do this
Common mistakes
Forcing the back bend with your shoulders instead of letting the chest lead — this strains the lower back without stretching the abs.
Holding your breath through the stretch, which tightens the core and works against the lengthening you're after.
Rushing in and out of the position rather than easing in slowly — the stretch needs time under tension to release.
Dropping the head too far back, putting needless pressure on the neck instead of the abdominal wall.
EGON Put it on record
Track it in EGON.
Log every set of the Abdominals Stretch Variation One, get your PRs detected automatically, earn aura for the work, and climb five leagues of statues, from Stone to Ego.
