Elbow Circles

What it is

This is a fundamental isolation exercise designed to improve shoulder mobility and gently warm up the shoulder joints. You perform controlled circular movements with your elbows, primarily engaging your deltoids and secondarily activating your trapezius muscles.

Technique tips

• Keep your hands lightly on your shoulders for guidance.
• Maintain your elbows at shoulder height throughout the circles.
• Perform the circles slowly and with controlled, smooth motion.
• Coordinate your breathing by exhaling as you begin the circle.
• Reverse the direction of the circles after your set.
• Engage your shoulder blades gently as you move.

How to track your progress

Log the hold time of each set. Straddly keeps your best hold for this exercise and tells you when you beat it, so a two-second gain does not go unnoticed.