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Open Book Stretch

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Open Book Stretch.

EasyAbsFront shoulders

About this exercise

The Open Book Stretch is a thoracic mobility drill performed lying on your side. You rotate your top arm and chest open toward the floor behind you, mimicking the action of opening a book, which releases tightness in the chest, obliques, and thoracic spine.

How to Perform

  • Lie on your side with your hips and knees bent to 90 degrees, arms extended in front of you at chest height
  • Keep your bottom arm on the floor and your knees stacked and pressed together
  • Slowly rotate your top arm up and over, following it with your eyes and chest until your upper back approaches the floor
  • Let your top arm rest or hover near the floor at the end range — breathe and hold briefly
  • Return your top arm back to the starting position
  • Complete all reps on one side, then switch sides

Muscle Activation

Primary
AbsFront shouldersUpper chestMiddle chestObliques

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Open Book Stretch

The Open Book Stretch is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.

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