Your Body Almanac

Do wall angels

Slide your arms up and down a wall to train the muscles that hold your shoulders and upper back upright.

How often
Daily
Time
3 min
Recommended for
10 factors
Standing with head, upper back and hips against a wall, the arms slide from a goalpost position up overhead and back down, elbows and backs of the hands touching the wall.

How to do it

  1. Stand with your back against a wall. Your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touch the wall; feet a few inches out.
  2. Raise your arms to the sides with elbows bent, palms facing out, the backs of your hands touching the wall.
  3. Slowly slide your arms up overhead, keeping the backs of your hands and your body against the wall.
  4. Hold for a few seconds at the top, then slowly slide back down.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Why it helps

Long hours hunched over screens let the shoulders roll forward and the upper back round. Wall angels practice the opposite position: shoulder blades back and down, upper back tall. They are a common posture exercise.

Be careful

Only go as high as you can while keeping contact with the wall. Stop if you feel pinching or pain in your shoulders, and see a physical therapist if pain persists.

Recommended for