All Exercises

World Greatest Stretch

The World's Greatest Stretch dynamically improves hip mobility, hamstring flexibility, and thoracic spine rotation.

Intermediate
Compound
Static
1 min per set30s rest

Description

This stretch is a full-body stretching exercise that targets your hips, groins, hamstrings, glutes, and thoracic spine.

How to Do World Greatest Stretch

  1. 1
    Setup

    Begin in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and feet hip-width apart, ensuring your body forms a straight line from head to heels.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Step your right foot forward and place it outside your right hand, keeping your left leg extended behind you with the heel lifted.

  3. 3

    Lower your right elbow towards the floor inside your right foot, feeling a stretch in your right hip and groin.

  4. 4

    From this low position, rotate your torso to the right, extending your right arm towards the ceiling and looking up at your hand, opening your chest.

  5. 5

    Reverse the movement to return your right hand to the floor, step your right foot back to the plank position, and repeat the entire sequence on your left side.

Tips

  • Focus on controlled breathing throughout the movement, using each exhale to deepen into the stretch and relax your muscles further.
  • Maintain a stable core by engaging your abdominal muscles to protect your lower back and enhance the effectiveness of your spinal rotation.
  • Keep the back leg straight and the heel lifted to maximize the stretch in the hip flexor of the trailing leg.
  • Move fluidly and deliberately through each phase of the stretch, prioritizing smooth transitions over speed to fully engage the target muscles.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Rounding your upper back during the rotation instead of extending your spine; actively push your chest forward and rotate from your thoracic region to improve mobility.
  • ×Lifting the heel of your front foot off the ground; keep it firmly planted to maintain stability and ensure a deeper, more effective hip stretch.
  • ×Rushing through the different phases of the stretch; instead, move slowly and with control to fully explore your range of motion and maximize flexibility gains.

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