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Direction-of-travel diagram for the trunk extension pattern. Photography for the Prone I Raise is not shot yet.
CalisthenicsIn review

Prone I Raise

A face-down shoulder exercise that lifts both straight arms overhead, in line with the body, into an I.

This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.

Pattern
Trunk extension
Modality
Calisthenics
Difficulty
Beginner
Mechanic
Unknown
Force
Unknown
Laterality
Bilateral
Impact
Low
Trains where
Gym, Home
At home
Yes

How to do it

Set up

  1. Lie face down with the legs straight and the arms straight overhead, in line with the body.
  2. Turn the thumbs up and rest the forehead on the floor or the mat.

Do the rep

  1. Lift both arms a little off the floor and keep the elbows straight.
  2. Hold for two seconds.
  3. Lower the arms under control.

What counts as a rep

A rep counts when both straight arms lift off the floor, hold for a moment, and return to the floor under control.

One rep starts face down with the arms straight overhead, lifts both arms off the floor, holds for a moment, and lowers.

Breathing

Exhale as you lift; inhale as you lower.

Cues

  • Pull the shoulder blades down before you lift.
  • Keep the forehead down and the neck long.
  • Hold each lift longer when the reps get easy.

Common mistakes

  • Lifting the chest

    What you seeThe chest and the head lift with the arms.

    FixKeep the chest on the floor and lift only the arms.

    The arms, not the lower back, should do the lift.

  • Shrugging

    What you seeThe shoulders move up toward the ears.

    FixPull the shoulder blades down toward the back pockets.

    Shoulders down keep the work in the lower trapezius.

Stop the set if

  • Stop if you feel sharp pain.
  • Stop if you feel a pinch in the front of the shoulder.
  • End the set when you cannot lift both arms with straight elbows.

General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.

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