Your shoulders take a beating – whether you’re hauling gear, breaking through barriers, or reaching overhead. This shoulder rotation exercise is designed to aid mobility, improve joint health, and activate the muscles that support your upper body under load. By moving through both backward and forward rotations with control and intention, you’ll increase circulation, loosen tight areas, and prepare your body for the physical demands of the job.
Backward Shoulder Rotation Instructions
- Stand tall with your arms at your sides and feet slightly wider than hip-width apart
- Reach up, back, down and forward with one arm and then the other
- Perform repetitions at a slow tempo through your full range of motion for 30 seconds
- Increase tempo to create a more dynamic movement for another 30 seconds
- Allow for subtle rotation through your torso while anchoring into the ground with your feet
Forward Shoulder Rotation Instructions
- Stand tall with your arms at your sides and feet slightly wider than hip-width apart
- With one arm, reach down, back, up, and forward and then repeat with the opposite arm
- Maintain a slow tempo through your full range of motion for 30 seconds
- Increase tempo to create a more dynamic movement for 30 seconds
- Allow for subtle rotation through your torso while anchoring into the ground with your feet
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