Thoracic Bridges: Party Tricks for Strength & Mobility
Video by Aush Chatman
Thoracic bridges are a great way to open up the shoulders, thoracic spine and chest and also build strength in these areas. If you don’t have strength and mobility in these areas, it will be exposed in your pull-ups, handstands, muscle-ups and lifts like front squats. Bridges also develop elbow and wrist strength through their range of motion which helps develop control through that range – something very important in injury prevention. Plus, they are a cool party trick!
In this video, Coach Aush takes you through a warm-up your shoulders and upper back before getting into the thoracic bridge progressions: table top, table in-and-outs (table turners), bench bridge and finally, the thoracic bridge on the floor.
Thoracic bridges are super easy to work into your warm-up or even mix in for one of your stations on gymnastics day. Try them out and let us know what you think!