Appears in642 Workouts*

Arm Front-Back Rotation

Improve shoulder mobility simply! Gentle rotations warm up your joints and increase flexibility. Perfect for a pre-workout or stretch.

The Arm Front-Back Rotation mainly works the shoulders and chest, with help from the traps and back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

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Arm Front-Back Rotation Muscles Worked

Primary

Front Shoulder (anterior deltoid); Upper Chest (pectoralis major, clavicular head)

Secondary

Upper Traps (trapezius, upper fibers); Boxer Muscle (serratus anterior)

How to do the Arm Front-Back Rotation

Step 1: Start by standing upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms by your sides.

Step 2: In a controlled motion, extend your arms straight in front of you at shoulder height with your palms facing each other.

Step 3: Slowly raise your arms above your head, keeping them straight, until your hands are pointing towards the ceiling.

Step 4: From this raised position, start rotating your arms backward in a circular motion, making sure to maintain a full range of motion and keeping your arms extended.

Step 5: Continue the circular motion until your arms return to the starting position by your sides.

Step 6: Reverse the direction: lift your arms straight up in front of you again, then rotate the arms forward, creating a circular motion from the front to back this time.

Step 7: Continue the rotations for a set amount of time or a certain number of rotations in each direction, typically aiming for 10-20 repetitions each way.

Step 8: Focus on your breathing throughout the exercise, inhaling and exhaling smoothly and maintaining good posture with a tight core.

This exercise is excellent for warming up the shoulder joints before a workout or as a stretching exercise to improve mobility. Be mindful not to speed through the rotations and to keep the movement smooth and controlled throughout.

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Arm Front-Back Rotation FAQs

What muscles does the Arm Front-Back Rotation work?

The Arm Front-Back Rotation mainly works the shoulders and chest, with help from the traps and back. The main muscles are the anterior deltoid and pectoralis major.

What equipment do you need for the Arm Front-Back Rotation?

None. The Arm Front-Back Rotation is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

What are some Arm Front-Back Rotation variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Forward Arm Circles, Behind-Neck Arms-Forward, Arms Circles Front Step and Arm Full-Circles Squat.

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