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Fact Checked
Fact Checked
This article was written by one of our team of experienced writers, and fact-checked by our experts or our editors. The numbers in parentheses (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) throughout the article are reference links to peer-reviewed studies.
Our team of experts includes a board-certified physician, nutritionists, dietitians, certified personal trainers, strength training experts, and exercise specialists.
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How To Do The Pretzel Stretch – Tips, Benefits, and Alternatives

Stretch your glutes, core, and back muscles with this simple technique named after a favorite snack item.
Matthew Magnante

Written by Matthew Magnante

Last Updated onDecember 10, 2022

In This Article
  • How To
  • Benefits
  • Drawbacks
  • Alternatives
  • Muscles Involved
  • Wrapping Up

Before you get too excited you won’t actually be eating any pretzels during this stretch but you will look a little bit like one if it’s done properly. The pretzel stretch is not to be feared though, it’s actually a simple, usually pain-free technique to stretch glutes, obliques, and back muscles. 

It does require a little flexibility to get into position and perform the pretzel stretch properly and this guide will explain the how-to, benefits, variations, and more.

In This Exercise:

  • Target Muscle Group: Glutes, back, and obliques
  • Type: Stretch
  • Mechanics: Isolation
  • Equipment: N/A
  • Difficulty: Beginner

How To Do The Pretzel Stretch 

First, drive to the nearest store and grab a bag of your favorite pretzels… just kidding. 

Before performing the pretzel, we recommend doing a few minutes of light physical activity to warm up the muscles of the core and lower body beforehand. This is to ensure your muscles are elastic and pliable which is ideal for safe and effective stretching sessions. 

Below we’ve included step-by-step instructions for performing the pretzel stretch. 

To do it:

  1. Start from a sitting position on the floor with your legs extended out in front of you. 
  2. Bend your left leg and place it on the other side of your right leg.  
  3. Keep your left arm extended on the floor for balance, then place the right arm against the outside of your left leg/knee. 
  4. Tense your core muscles, then twist your body to the left until you feel a stretch in the glutes and back muscles. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds. 
  5. Now return to the starting position with both legs extended, cross your right foot over the left leg and switch the arm position to stretch the opposite side. 

Repeat the stretches a few times if needed. 

Watch the following video demonstration of the pretzel stretch in action. 

Pretzel stretch tips and tricks

There are a few things you should know to ensure you perform the pretzel stretch safely and effectively. 

  • Performing the pretzel stretch may cause your back to crack. This is not an issue, however, we do not recommend applying excessive force during the stretch as this could be bad for your back. 
  • Remember that the bent leg is the one being stretched. 
  • It’s important to keep your body fully relaxed when performing most stretches as it allows the muscles fibers to be adequately stretched. 

3 Pretzel Stretch Benefits

Stretching has been shown to have numerous benefits on the body and mind. But each stretch is different and will therefore have its own unique benefits. Here are a few reasons to include the pretzel stretch in your weekly health maintenance regime. 

Relieve tight muscles  

Muscle tension can be very uncomfortable but because of modern lifestyle habits such as sitting for most of the day, heavy physical activity, or even injuries, it’s unavoidable. But that’s why preventative and therapeutic maintenance is very important. Stretching out weekly can make you feel so much better overall. 

Maintain healthy joint movement

Muscles and joints work in tandem to allow us movement in our body parts. But tight or shortened muscles limit the range of motion in our joints, which prevents healthy, proper movement and that’s when we become more prone to injuries. 

Very simple – no excuses

There’s not much to the pretzel stretch, although you’d think there would be if you’re contorting your body to resemble a twisted snack food. But don’t let the name intimidate you. If you have healthy mobility in your hips and a basic level of flexibility, this technique is a good option for you. 

Drawbacks

Are there any drawbacks to such a simple stretch? Possibly. 

Requires decent hip mobility and upper body flexibility

It’s true that not every stretch or exercise is for everyone. Well, the same goes for the pretzel stretch. Some people simply don’t have much mobility in their hip joint to comfortably cross one leg over the other, or a flexible enough waist to twist and hold their torso to get a good stretch. 

It’s also good to maintain a somewhat upright torso which may mean having some core strength. All in all though, the pretzel stretch seems to be a safe exercise for most people who do it properly. 

Too much force

It’s perfectly fine to apply decent pressure during the pretzel stretch, however, we don’t recommend doing this excessively. You should feel a good stretch in the target muscles, but if you’re straining or feel pain then you’re doing it wrong. 

Variations and Alternatives

While the pretzel stretch is a great stretch because of its simplicity, we also like these variations that may have some advantages or may be preferred over the basic pretzel stretch technique. 

Lying pretzel stretch

Variations are great because if you don’t like one or if it doesn’t feel best for you then you can do another. The lying pretzel stretch is performed exactly as it sounds, on your side, and many will feel it much better because of how the body is positioned. It’s also a little more complex compared to the basic pretzel stretch. 

To do it:

  1. Lie on your right side, then cross your left (top) leg over your right (bottom) leg. 
  2. Bend your right (bottom) knee to bring your foot behind you then grab and hold it with your left hand. 
  3. Lie flat on your back so that you’re facing the ceiling and pull your left leg down toward the floor with your right hand until you feel an amazing stretching in your leg butt muscle. 
  4. Hold this for 10-20 seconds then switch sides and repeat. 
  5. To stretch your right glute, turn in the other direction, cross your right leg over your left, then bend your left foot back and pull down on your right leg with the left hand. 

Another method is to lie on your back with both knees propped up. You’ll then place one leg over the other to hold it in place, and then pull that leg to the opposite shoulder.

Note: This variation is shown as the second exercise in the same video demonstration of the pretzel stretch included above under the exercise instructions. 

Different version of pretzel stretch

Lying knee to chest stretch

One alternative to the pretzel stretch is the lying knee to chest stretch. It’s as simple as lying on your back and pulling your knees into your chest one at a time. It’s a hip flexor focused stretch but it’s a good option to loosen up the glutes and lower back. 

Muscles Involved

Below we’ve included the primary muscles involved in the pretzel stretch.

Pretzel Stretch Muscles Involved
Pretzel Stretch Muscles Involved

Gluteus medius

Most people don’t know their butt has three main muscles – gluteus maximus (largest muscle in the butt and body), minimus (smallest of the three) and medius (found between maximus and minimus). It’s a hip adductor muscles that pull the leg in toward the center of the body but it also works in conjunction with minimus to internally rotate the thigh. 

Obliques 

Second to the rectus abdominis or abs in popularity, the oblique are also an important core muscle that rotate, laterally flex (bend to the side), and stabilize the trunk.

Erector spinae

Back extensor muscles line the length of the spine and make it possible to bend over and backwards. They also work with the obliques to flex the trunk from side to side.

Bottom Line

The pretzel stretch is just one of the many effective techniques used to help maintain healthy muscles, range of motion in the joints, and general well-being. There’s not much to it but it is a simple and convenient method to either maintain or increase flexibility in the core and glutes.

Also make sure to include the variations as they’ll allow you to take this stretch a little further (pun intended). 


This article was written by Matthew Magnante, a Senior Writer for Fitness Volt. Matthew is passionate about writing fact-based articles and is always happy to answer any questions readers may have.

If you have any questions about this article, please feel free to contact Matthew Magnante by leaving a comment below.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
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Categories: Back Exercise Guides Legs and Glutes
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Matthew Magnante

Matthew Magnante

Matthew is an ACE (American Council On Exercise) certified fitness professional who has had a passion for fitness since elementary school and continues to research and learn how to build muscle effectively through training and diet. He also loves to help others to achieve their fitness goals and spread the knowledge where needed. Matthew's other passions include learning about mindfulness, strolling through nature, traveling, and always working to improve overall.

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