Can't get arms in the proper position during full bridge#1685

When I’m doing full bridges, I struggle to have my hands and arms facing the same wall as my feet. If I twist so my fingers are pointing towards the opposite wall, I can do them. Otherwise it feels like a shortening of my entire posture, with a weird tension in my shoulders and down the front of my arms. Is it OK to have my hands facing the opposite wall (or even at a 90 degree angle from the rest of me?)

I’m a little confused what this progression is challenging so it just always feels like I’m doing it wrong.

Hey. This is Chrys, one of the trainers at Hybrid.

Early on, it’s totally okay if your hands can’t face the same direction as your feet yet. What you’re feeling is shoulder and biceps tightness, not a failure of form. Forcing your hands to turn before your shoulders are ready just creates that “everything feels jammed” feeling you described. You can keep your hands turned out or angled for now as long as there’s no pain and you’re still pushing through your arms and opening your chest.

The full bridge is mainly challenging shoulder extension, spine mobility, and glute drive together, so it’s normal if one part lags. Over time, as your shoulders open up, you’ll naturally be able to rotate your hands forward. Don’t force it, just let it come as the flexibility improves.