Pole Chest Stretch

This page provides details for the Pole Chest Stretch. This stretch focuses on the chest, shoulder and upper back muscles. It is used by martial artists to loosen up before training for grappling techniques and/or punching routines. Martial arts students use these stretches to warm up their muscles, improve their overall flexibility and reduce the potential for some injuries (i.e. strained pectoral muscles). If you are looking for additional chest stretches, please visit the main Chest Stretches section.

In this stretch, a martial artist will grab a pole or column with one hand. The martial artist takes one step forward until he/she feels a stretch in their chest and shoulders. This stretch is a one-arm variation of the Doorway Chest Stretch.

All stretches and exercises should be supervised by a trained instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized. For information on other stretches (i.e. hamstring or triceps stretches), please visit the main Martial Arts Stretching section.