Exercise guide · Beginner · Stretch

Standing Lateral Stretch: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The standing lateral stretch is a bodyweight exercise that targets the lats and stretches the sides of the torso. It also engages the shoulders and obliques. This movement is performed by standing with feet shoulder-width apart, extending the arms, and leaning to each side to stretch the lateral muscles.

Primary muscles
Lats
Secondary muscles
Obliques , Shoulders
Equipment
Body Weight
Level · type
Beginner · Stretch
Demonstration of the standing lateral stretch
Front view: muscles worked by the standing lateral stretch. Primary: lats. Secondary: obliques and shoulders.
Back view: muscles worked by the standing lateral stretch. Primary: lats. Secondary: obliques and shoulders.
Primary Secondary

How to do the standing lateral stretch

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  2. Step 2: Extend your arms straight out to the sides, parallel to the ground.
  3. Step 3: Slowly lean your upper body to one side, feeling a stretch in your side and lats.
  4. Step 4: Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds.
  5. Step 5: Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Standing Lateral Stretch alternatives

More exercises that train the lats as their main target:

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Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.