Arm circles are a simple exercise that can provide multiple benefits to your upper body. This exercise involves holding your arms out to the sides, and then making small circular motions with them. While arm circles may seem easy, they can actually work a variety of different muscles throughout your arms, shoulders, and upper back.
Shoulders
The primary muscle group that arm circles work is your shoulders. The circular motion of the exercise helps to engage the deltoids, which are the muscles that wrap around the top of your shoulder. The deltoids are responsible for lifting your arm up and away from your body, so they play a critical role in many upper body movements.
Upper Back
In addition to the shoulders, arm circles also work the muscles in your upper back. As you make the circular motion with your arms, you will feel your rhomboids and trapezius muscles working to stabilize your shoulder blades. These muscles are important for maintaining good posture and preventing neck and shoulder pain.
Biceps and Triceps
While the primary focus of arm circles is on the shoulders and upper back, they can also provide a secondary workout for your biceps and triceps. These muscles are located in your upper arms and are responsible for flexing and extending your elbow. As you make the circular motion with your arms, your biceps and triceps will engage to help keep your arms lifted.
Chest
Arm circles can also work the muscles in your chest, specifically the pectoralis major and minor. While the engagement of these muscles may not be as significant as the other muscle groups, they can still benefit from the circular motion of the exercise.
Rotator Cuff
Finally, arm circles can be a good exercise for strengthening your rotator cuff muscles. These muscles are located in your shoulder joint and are responsible for stabilizing and rotating your arm. By performing arm circles, you can help improve the strength and stability of these important muscles.
Conclusion
Overall, arm circles are a simple yet effective exercise that can work multiple muscle groups throughout your upper body. By incorporating arm circles into your workout routine, you can help improve your shoulder strength and stability, reduce neck and shoulder pain, and improve your overall posture.