Open Exercise

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Catalogue

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

  1. Stand or sit upright with your spine neutral and shoulders relaxed.
  2. Place your fingertips lightly on top of your shoulders with your elbows pointing out to the sides.

Movement

  1. Trace large, smooth circles backward with your elbows, moving them forward, upward, backward, and downward.
  2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and down as your elbows pass through the rear and bottom of the circle.
  3. 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

  • Rear deltoid prime mover
  • Rhomboids prime mover
  • Middle trapezius prime mover
  • Rotator cuff synergist
  • Lower trapezius synergist
  • Pectoralis major stretched

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

Sources

This record: CC-BY-SA-4.0.

Data

backward-shoulder-circle.json