How to Stretch Before Headbanging

Stretching before any physical activity prevents soreness after the activity. For headbanging, it is important to warm up and stretch not only your neck but your back as well. The violent moves involved with whipping around your head call for neck circles and some resistance stretching that will get your body ready for action.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin with neck circles. Move your head in slow, exaggerated circles to the right, then down, left and back in one big, sweeping motion. Repeat 10 times. Then switch directions.

    • 2

      Hold your head to the side with your hand on top of your head, gently pulling your head down to the right and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat the action to the left side.

    • 3

      Get down on your hands and knees. Have someone stand next to your head on the side and push your head into the person's leg while he resists strongly at first and then gradually decreases resistance. Repeat this movement on the other side.

    • 4

      Staying on hands and knees, have the person stand in front of you with both hands on the top of your head. Start with your chin down and then push upwards as she applies resistance. Then, go in the opposite direction, having the person place hands under your chin while you push your head down against the resistance.

    • 5

      Continuing from hands and knees without a partner, perform what in yoga is called a cat/cow stretch. To start, arch your back as high as possible, concentrating on the area between your shoulder blades and hold for five seconds. Reverse direction, swaying your back by pulling your belly button down towards the floor. Repeat several times.