Exercise Library
Illustration of a person doing Warrior III

Warrior III

Flexibility

Muscles stretched

gluteshamstringscoreshoulders
Equipment
No equipment
Level
Advanced
How much to do
Hold for 20–30 seconds. Then do the same on the other side.

How to do it

  1. Stand tall and shift your weight onto one leg with a soft bend in that knee.
  2. Hinge forward from your hips, reaching your chest and arms out in front of you.
  3. Lift the other leg straight behind you until it lines up with your torso.
  4. Form one long line from your fingertips to your back heel, hips level and squared to the floor.
  5. Hold and breathe, then lower with control.

How to breathe

It is a hold, not a breath-hold — keep breathing steadily the whole way through.

Common mistakes

  • Letting your eyes wander. Fix them on one still point; balance follows your gaze.

  • Rounding your back. Lengthen your spine first, then move — the shape you start in is the shape you keep.

  • Giving one side more time than the other. Count both, and match the looser side to the tighter one.

Start here insteadWarrior II

Frequently asked questions

Which muscles does Warrior III stretch?
Warrior III mainly stretches your glutes and hamstrings. It also engages your core and shoulders.
What equipment do you need for Warrior III?
None — Warrior III is a bodyweight move you can do anywhere.
Is Warrior III good for beginners?
Warrior III is an advanced move. Master the basics before you try it.
How long should you hold Warrior III?
Hold for 20–30 seconds. Then do the same on the other side.

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