Backward Shoulder Circle
oec:backward-shoulder-circle
A dynamic mobility exercise where the shoulders and elbows trace backward circular paths to warm up the shoulder girdle and improve range of motion.
Generated by gemini-3.8-flash from the sources below. No person has checked this record. Don't rely on it for safety.
Also called: Backward Shoulder Rotation, Reverse Shoulder Circle, Backward Elbow Circle
How to do it
Setup
- Stand or sit upright with your spine neutral and shoulders relaxed.
- Place your fingertips lightly on top of your shoulders with your elbows pointing out to the sides.
Movement
- Trace large, smooth circles backward with your elbows, moving them forward, upward, backward, and downward.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together and down as your elbows pass through the rear and bottom of the circle.
- Continue circling backward in a continuous, controlled rhythm for the desired repetitions or duration.
Breathing
Breathe smoothly and continuously, inhaling as the chest opens and exhaling as the elbows cycle forward.
Cues
- Lead with the elbows
- Open the chest
- Pinch your shoulder blades on the way back
Common faults
- Arching the lower back to compensate for limited shoulder mobility.
- Brace your core and keep your ribcage down throughout the movement.
- Rushing through a small, jerky range of motion.
- Slow down and actively draw the largest smooth circle possible with your elbows.
Safety
- If you feel sharp pain or pinching in the shoulder, reduce the diameter of the circle or stop.
Muscles
Joints
- Shoulder: Circumduction, Extension, External rotation
- Shoulder blade: Elevation, Depression, Retraction
Details
- Movement
- Mobility drill
- Modality
- Mobility, Flexibility
- Mechanics
- compound
- Force
- not applicable
- Laterality
- bilateral
- Kinetic chain
- open
- Level
- beginner
- Equipment
- None
- Record
- Repetitions; or Duration
- Load
- none, not applicable
Related
- regression of Backward Arm Circle
- substitute for Backward Arm Circle
Sources
- wger: Backward shoulder rotation (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
This record: CC-BY-SA-4.0.