Head Tilt
The Head Tilt is a fundamental neck mobility exercise that targets the upper trapezius and lateral neck muscles. It involves gently lowering your ear toward your shoulder to relieve tension, improve posture, and increase cervical range of motion.
Iridium classifies this as a time-based mobility drill and schedules it within warmups according to your preference for dynamic routines. Since the intensity is insufficient to drive hypertrophy, the system excludes it from your Upper Trapezius volume scores to ensure your Maximum Recoverable Volume data remains accurate.
Form Cues
- Sit or stand with a tall, neutral spine
- Relax your shoulders down away from your ears
- Gently lower your ear toward your shoulder
- Breathe deeply into the stretch
- Move slowly and with control
- Don't shrug your shoulder up to meet your ear
- Don't force your head down aggressively
- Don't rotate your chin while tilting
- Don't hold your breath during the stretch
- Don't round your upper back
Common Mistakes
- Shrugging the shoulders upwards
- Pulling the head too hard
- Rounding the spine
- Holding tension in the jaw
- Rushing the movement
Muscles Worked
This movement primarily targets the upper trapezius fibers, which often become tight from stress and prolonged sitting. It also stretches the lateral neck muscles, including the scalenes, assisting in better neck alignment and reduced tension headaches.
Primary
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