For this edition of Fitness Friday with Tracie Long, we’re going to focus on upper back posture which is something every woman has to think about (since we tend to carry our stress in our shoulders and hunch), and of course makes that angle that everyone sees during the ceremony if you are wearing a strapless dress look amazing!

Posture / band pulls- This simple exercise works on scapular retraction (pulling the shoulder blades together) and reinforces good upper back posture. You can find a long band in any sporting goods store or online.

1.    Sit in a comfortable manner for you (on the floor, in a chair, on your knees)

2.    Keep abdominals tight & ribs down to keep good spinal alignment.

3.    Extend your arms out in front of your chest with a little bend at the elbows.

4.    Without arching the back pull the shoulder blades together and hold for a 3 second count. Fully release the arms back to the front to finish.

5.     Try to keep your chin level and avoid hunching shoulders up as you pull the arms back.

6.    Do 10 times, rest, repeat for a total of 3 sets. (can also be performed diagonally which is great for back of shoulders)