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POSTUREGUY MIKE
Exercisesupper backProne T Raise
intermediateNo equipmentStanding

Prone T Raise

Lying face down with arms extended directly out to the sides in a T shape, you lift both arms by squeezing the mid-traps and rhomboids. Combined with Y and W raises, the prone T completes the posterior shoulder and upper-back activation sequence essential for correcting rounded shoulders.

Prone T Raise
Prone T Raise
Duration
2 min
Reps
12
Sets
3

How to do it

  1. 1

    1. Lie face down on a mat with your forehead resting on a towel roll or small pillow to keep your neck neutral.

  2. 2

    2. Extend both arms out to the sides at shoulder height, forming a T shape with your body.

  3. 3

    3. Engage your core and press your hips into the mat to stabilize your lower back.

  4. 4

    4. Squeeze your mid-traps and rhomboids to lift both arms a few inches off the ground, leading with your thumbs.

  5. 5

    5. Hold the top position for 1-2 seconds, then lower your arms back down with control.

  6. 6

    6. Repeat for your target number of reps without jerking or using momentum.

Benefits

  • Activates and strengthens mid-trap and rhomboid muscles to reverse rounded shoulder posture.
  • Reduces upper back and neck tension by reinforcing proper scapular retraction patterns.
  • Improves shoulder blade stability and posterior chain engagement for better postural alignment throughout the day.

Common mistakes

  • Lifting arms too high or using your upper traps instead of your mid-traps, which defeats the purpose of correcting rounded shoulders.
  • Arching your lower back or lifting your hips off the mat, which shifts load away from the target muscles.
  • Moving too quickly or using momentum rather than controlled, deliberate contractions through the full range of motion.