Bridge Stretch for Gymnastics Warm Ups

Part of the Video Series Gymnastics Warm Ups

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Learn gymnastics warm ups such as the bridge stretch in this free instructional video on gymnastics warm-ups.

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Tags: calisthenics, cartwheel, gymnastics, stretching, warm up
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Video Transcript

Bridge Stretch for Gymnastics Warm Ups
I’m Heater McCanna with expertvillage.com and in this clip I’ll be discussing gymnastics warm-ups, specifically the bridge. Bend your knees with your bottom as close to your feet as possible and lay flat on your back. At this point, raise your hands upwards and point your fingers to the ceiling. Then try and turn them behind you. Once you’ve set them on the ground, your hands should be facing towards your feet. It’s important that your elbows stay as close to your body as possible and that they are also facing upward. At this point, walk your feet any closer to your body that you can and begin to push through your hands and your feet. You should be able to rise off the ground with your body in an arched or bridge position. At this point, try and hold your stretch, feeling the motion of your body moving upward through your shoulders and your lower back. After holding this position for 10-15 seconds, slowly with your elbows bending and still pointing towards the ceiling, lower your body back to the ground. This needs to be done gently as your lower back and your shoulders are very sensitive to quick motion and stress that this stretch may put on your body. This stretch should be performed 2-3 times to ensure that your back is completely stretched as it is manipulated quite a great amount whenever you’re performing most gymnastic stretches. It’s important that you do the stretch correctly and slowly and that you allow your body to move very delicately and not to overstretch yourself.

About the Expert

Expert: Heather McCanna is a Texas state champion in gymnastics on balance beam, floor, vault, as well as all-around. She received 2nd place all-around at Region-Nationals in Colorado. Read More