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PVC Shoulder Flexion

Beginner
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PVC pipe mobility exercise targeting shoulders and lats to improve overhead range of motion and flexibility; used for warm-ups, rehab, and shoulder health preparation.

About Exercise

Equipment

Others

Difficulty

1/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Shoulders

Secondary Muscles

Traps, Triceps

Popularity Score

6

Goals

Mobility
Stability
Rehab

Training Style

Warm-up
Mobility Flow

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Shoulders

9/10

Anterior Delts, Medial Delts

Lats

7/10

Teres Major

Traps

5/10

Upper Traps

Triceps

4/10

Long Head

Programming

Typical Rep Range

3-8 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds • Breathe deeply during holds

How to Perform

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a PVC pipe wider than shoulder-width with arms extended in front.

  1. Hinge at hips to lower chest toward ground, keeping arms straight.
  2. Push head between arms to deepen shoulder flexion.
  3. Hold stretch for 10-30 seconds while breathing deeply.
  4. Return to start by extending hips and pushing through hands.
  5. Repeat for desired reps or holds.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Keep arms straight
  • Neutral spine always
  • Push through shoulders
  • Breathe into stretch
  • Head between arms

Breathing

Inhale to prepare, exhale as you deepen the stretch and maintain brace.

Tempo

3-2-1

Range of Motion

Extend arms overhead to full comfortable flexion without lower back arch or pain.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Stop if sharp pain occurs
  • Avoid lumbar hyperextension
  • Start with wide grip
  • Consult professional for injuries

Spotting

Not required; self-guided mobility exercise.

Common Mistakes

  • Arching lower back
  • Forcing beyond comfort
  • Bending elbows
  • Jerking movements
  • Gripping too narrow initially

When to Avoid

  • Acute shoulder injury
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Recent surgery

Flexibility Needed

  • Basic shoulder flexion
  • Neutral spine control

Build Up First

  • Familiarity with hip hinge

Also known as

PVC Overhead Stretch, Shoulder Flexion Stretch

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