While I often hear from people that they would like exercises for their lower back, it’s not as common to have clients request an upper back workout.

It’s an area that is easily ignored when it’s actually one of the most important muscle groups for decreasing pain and improving posture!

You probably don’t even know you need an upper back workout, so I have a few questions for you:

Are you sitting at your desk right now?

Hunched over your computer?

On the couch with your phone?

Have you been driving all day?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need this 5 Minute Upper Back Workout!

We have become a society who constantly hunches forward. Whether on the computer, at the steering wheel, at our desk or texting, we are slowly ruining our posture.

A few things happen anatomically and biomechanically when we hunch forward all day:

• We end up with what we call “forward head rounded shoulders” posture.

• Our chest muscles and the muscles at the back of our necks become shortened and tight.

• Our upper back and rotator cuff muscles become lengthened and weak.

• This creates muscle imbalances which can lead to tension headaches, those pesky knots in our shoulder muscles and upper back pain!

This short upper back workout is one you can do anywhere and will help open your chest and work the muscles in your upper back. All you need is five minutes and a little floor space to help improve your posture, decrease pain and feel stronger!

So the next time you find yourself in that meeting that goes too long, driving carpool all day or in a social media blackhole on your phone, get down on the floor and do this upper back workout! Your body will thank you.