Arm circle

The arm circle is a non-weighted exercise targeting the shoulders. It involves extending your arms to the sides and drawing small circles in the air with your hands. It is common in warm-ups for both training and athletics, and is often performed simply until someone feels a burn, rather than for a set amount of reps.

Benefits

  1. Warms up the shoulder joints for heavier work
  2. Works the often neglected and frequently injured rotator cuffs
  3. Suitable for beginners
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Arm circle Images

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Arm circle Instructions

Arm circle muscle diagram
  1. Stand up and extend your arms straight out by the sides. The arms should be parallel to the floor and perpendicular (90-degree angle) to your torso. This will be your starting position.
  2. Slowly start to make circles of about 1 foot in diameter with each outstretched arm. Breathe normally as you perform the movement.
  3. Continue the circular motion of the outstretched arms for about ten seconds. Then reverse the movement, going the opposite direction.

Tip: Ten second movements equal one set and each circle equals one repetition.

Variations: As you get stronger you can use some light resistance.

Alternative Exercises for Arm circle

Back Flyes - With Bands thumbnail image Back Flyes - With Bands thumbnail image

Back Flyes - With Bands

Muscle Targeted: Shoulders
Equipment Type: Bands
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Cable Internal Rotation thumbnail image Cable Internal Rotation thumbnail image

Cable Internal Rotation

Muscle Targeted: Shoulders
Equipment Type: Cable
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