The move: Shoulder Blade Kiss

Works on: There are many muscles in our backs, great and small, and it's the small muscles that support good posture that we sometimes overlook! We all know the lats and traps. But, right near the middle trapezius muscle there is a smaller muscle group called the rhomboids, directly between the shoulder blades, and so very important to good posture. The posterior or back portion of the shoulder also works together with the rhomboids to do this next exercise. I refer to the exercise for this area as the Shoulder Blade Kiss.

Tina Burch/Los Angeles Daily News (ENLARGE)
Richard Simmons begins the Shoulder Blade Kiss in the Ski Slope position.
Tina Burch/Los Angeles Daily News (ENLARGE)
Arms go out -- work that back
Tina Burch/Los Angeles Daily News (ENLARGE)
Dana Miller, who joined the Slimmons studio seven years ago, demonstrates the Shoulder Blade Kiss from a seated position, and without weights.
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Give feedback: On this week?s tip; share your exercise tips Related: • Diet & fitness news and tips • Weight loss success stories • More health news Previous tips: The iso-ab plank  Front Raise  Weighted alternating backward lunge with initial knee-up position  Crisscross with 1- or 2-pound weights  Double leg stretch  Active Side Squat with Weights  Bent Forward Row  Wrist Curl  Plie With Upright Rows  Side Waist Toner  Triceps push-up (bench dip) off chair with added weight  Single leg stretch  Inclined Push-Up Off Step  Angled Simultaneous Biceps Curls  Super Man (Back Hyperextension)  Roll-Up With Weights  Hip flexor stretch  Floor Butt Lift  Standing Quadriceps Stretch  Deadlift with shoulder press and rotation  Milk/Detergent Jug Diagonal Lunge With Reach  Isometric Chest Press  The 100  Water Bottle Squat, Curl, Press, Extend and Lateral Descent  Butt Blasters with rotation  Deadlift with shoulder press  Milk/Detergent Jug Single Leg Crossover  Heel Digs  Shoulder Blade Kiss  Hip Lift  Push-up to Reach Back  Hamstring curls  Stagger Stance Two-Arm Band Chest Press  Knee Lift  Neck Stretch  One-Legged Lateral Raise  T-pose

Step 1: Using the weight (or no weight at first) that's best for you, place your right leg forward in Ski Slope position.

Step 2: Bring your arms to the front and begin the movement by squeezing your shoulder blades together.

Fit tip: Do not lift your shoulders as you try to bring your elbows together behind you.

Alternate move: The seated modification is performed more horizontally for those who cannot bend forward. Keep the abdominals

tight!

Repetitions: Work up to two sets of 12-15 repetitions.

Richard Simmons has helped millions of overweight men and women through his exercise videos, eating programs, books, and national television and radio appearances. This year, Simmons leads his 26th Cruise to Lose weight-loss program aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. He also continues to teach at Slimmons, a motivational exercise studio he established in 1974.

— Los Angeles Daily News