Rotator Cuff Exercises Are Important for Shoulder Health and Strength

Rotator Cuff Exercises might be the most important exercises to include in your upper body workout routines. The rotator muscles dynamically stabilize the shoulder joint and are responsible for rotating the shoulder. When these muscles are strong, you will be much stronger and less likely to injure your shoulder.

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 small muscles-the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles are all anchored to the shoulder blade, and they surround the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Individually, all of the muscles will assist in moving the shoulder in different directions, but collectively they will all work together to dynamically stabilize the shoulder joint.

Because of their role in shoulder stability, the rotator muscles will actually contract during every upper body exercise. But you can also do specific exercises that will emphasize or isolate these muscles. Internal rotation and external rotation are the 2 main motions that will emphasize the rotator cuff, and you can perform these motions with many different tools.

Dumbbells and resistance bands are 2 of the best tools for rotator exercises. When using dumbbells you can do both internal rotation and external rotation while lying on your side on a workout bench. If you have a resistance band you can do both internal and external rotation while standing up.

Internal rotation is rotating the shoulder inwards toward the middle of the body and external rotation is moving the shoulder outwards away from the body. If you include these 2 motions in your workout, you can strengthen your rotator muscles.

Both motions and both tools are used by physical therapists in rehab programs to help decrease shoulder pain. But these motions are also used by athletic trainers and strength coaches to prevent shoulder injuries. Try adding in some rotator cuff strengthening to your workout so you can strengthen your shoulder and decrease your risk of shoulder injuries.

Charles Inniss is a Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer. Visit his website to learn all the best rotator cuff exercises, and also learn all the best arm exercises.