5 Post Workout Stretches (Recommended by A CrossFit Games Athlete)

Kristi Eramo O’Connell, 6-time CrossFit Games athlete, loves these five post workout stretches, and if they’re good enough to satisfy her needs then they’ll most likely satisfy yours too.

She uses them whenever she feels tight after workouts to release tension in her body and feel better

5 Post Workout Stretches

Trap stretch

Grab one arm and put it all the way behind your back, then push your head towards the opposite side.

Make sure to sink your shoulder down and back and gently pull your arm down and back. Keep your shoulders aligned with your hips.

Hold 1 minute per arm.

Forearm stretch

Source: Photo by RF._.studio on Pexels

This great post workout stretch for whenever you’ve worked on your forearms includes stretching one arm in front of you, bending your wrist so your palm faces forward and pulling your fingers towards you.

Make sure you press all your fingertips towards you with the same force and press your palm in the opposite direction. Your shoulder should be semi-relaxed down and back, not up close to your ears.

Hold each arm in this position for around 1 minute.

Rhomboid stretch

Pull one elbow across your body and hook your hands, bringing your second arm under and around the one you’re stretching.

You should feel this stretch in your upper back and forearms. Make sure you pull your stretching arm down for more tension relief.

Hold 1 minute per arm.

Tabletop stretch

This is a great post workout stretch for your elbows and chest. To do it go into a tabletop position by sitting down with your legs bent in front of you and your arms behind supporting the weight of your torso, then bring your hips up.

Your fingers should face away and you should squeeze your shoulder blades together. The goal is to get the hips as high as the knees, which themselves should form a 90-degree angle.

If you’re able hold this position for a full minute, otherwise accumulate about 50 seconds of active holding with little breaks.

Corpse pose

Kristi Eramo’s last favourite stretch is more of a mental one and involves simply laying down. She thinks of the day’s wins, what she needs to work on, and focuses on her breathing.

She uses this stretch to calm herself down and close off the routine.

Hold for as long as you want.

Watch CrossFit Games Athlete Kristi Eramo O’Connell Doing Her Favourite Stretches