Help prevent torn rotator cuffs with this easy exercise!
Torn rotator cuffs are an extremely common injury and can lead to even worse injuries. So help protect your shoulder health with this great exercise!
Remember these things when doing this exercise:
- Brain over matter. It may seem strange but how you think about the exercise can help you feel it more in the shoulder and less in your arm. Imagine the ball moving in the shoulder joint, which is what makes your hand move.
- Keep your money. Don’t let your elbow move away from your side. You should be able to keep a single bill (your choice of denomination) between your elbow and your side (or pillow if you need one) and not lose it as you do this exercise.
- Less is more! Not only are rotator cuffs exercised best by using less resistance and doing more reps (think long distance runner, not sprinter), but, if you move your hand too far, your arm muscles will take over to move your hand and your rotator cuff muscles will stop working. Therefore, don’t worry about how far your hand moves, just focus on where you feel it.
Check out our companion exercise to this one: Shoulder Rotator Exercise – External Rotation Using a Theraband
Want more exercise to help protect against or recover from shoulder injuries? Schedule your free 90 minute consultation.
Addie Kelzer is a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. She believes that by making fitness and good food practical, her clients will hold the power to positively change their health and the health of those closest to them.