Exercise · Upper body

Wall angels

  • Mobility

Works: Upper back and shoulders.

Add to a routineUsed in 3 timer routines

How to do it

Line drawing of wall angels, seen from the front: arms raised in a W shape with the elbows bent, then slid up into a Y shape.
  1. Stand with your back against a wall, feet a small step away and knees soft.
  2. Keep your head, upper back and bottom touching the wall.
  3. Raise your arms into a W shape, elbows bent, with the backs of your arms against the wall as far as is comfortable.
  4. Slowly slide your arms up into a Y, then back down to the W.

Watch out for

Your lower back arching away from the wall, and forcing your arms back.

Make it easier or harder

  1. 1Floor angels: the same movement lying on your back, knees bent.
  2. 2Wall angels.
  3. 3Slow wall angels: three seconds up and three seconds down, keeping contact with the wall.

Do the difficulty that suits you.

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Safety and disclaimer

The workouts, exercise instructions and effort guide on this page are general information for adults. They are not tailored to you, they are not medical or professional advice, and they may not be suitable for you. They do not replace advice from a professional who knows you. Although exercise can be good for your health, all exercise carries some risk of injury.

Get advice from a doctor, physiotherapist or other qualified health professional before you start if:

  • you have a heart or lung condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or any other long-term condition
  • you have ever had chest pain, fainting or dizziness, with or without exercise
  • you have an injury, a joint or back problem, or pain when you move
  • you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last year
  • you have recently had an operation, or been ill
  • you take medicine that affects your heart rate, blood pressure or balance
  • you are new to exercise, or coming back after a long break
  • a doctor or other professional has told you to limit or avoid exercise
  • you have any other concern about your health

Stop straight away if you get chest pain or tightness, feel faint or dizzy, become unusually short of breath, feel your heart racing or beating irregularly, or feel sharp pain. Call 999, or your local emergency number, if you have chest pain or tightness, or if any of these does not settle quickly with rest.

Start at a level that feels comfortable and build up gradually. Clear the space around you, use a floor that is not slippery, and make sure any chair, step, bench or equipment is sturdy and will not move.

You choose whether to do these exercises and how hard to work, and you do them at your own risk. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.