External Rotation

How to do the External Rotation

1. Lie sideways on a flat bench with one arm holding a dumbbell and the other hand on top of the bench folded so that you can rest your head on it.
2. Bend the elbows of the arm holding the dumbbell so that it creates a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the arm parallel to your torso.
3. Now bend the elbow while keeping the upper arm stationary. In this manner, the forearm will be parallel to the floor and perpendicular to your torso (Tip: So the forearm will be directly in front of you). The upper arm will be stationary by your torso and should be parallel to the floor (aligned with your torso at all times). This will be your starting position.
4. As you breathe out, externally rotate your forearm so that the dumbbell is lifted up in a semicircle motion as you maintain the 90 degree angle bend between the upper arms and the forearm. You will continue this external rotation until the forearm is perpendicular to the floor and the torso pointing towards the ceiling. At this point you will hold the contraction for a second.
5. As you breathe in, slowly go back to the starting position.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then switch to the other arm.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	shoulders
Equipment	dumbbell
Difficulty	beginner
Type	isolation

No dumbbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Band Pull Apart Resistance Bands Back Flyes - With Bands Resistance Bands External Rotation with Band Resistance Bands Internal Rotation with Band Resistance Bands Lateral Raise - With Bands Resistance Bands Double Kettlebell Snatch Kettlebell

Harder than the External Rotation

One-Arm Kettlebell Split Snatch expert · Kettlebell One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch expert · Kettlebell Double Kettlebell Snatch expert · Kettlebell

Superset the External Rotation with

Opposing middle back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row middle back Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In middle back Dumbbell Incline Row middle back One-Arm Dumbbell Row middle back

Common questions

What muscles does the External Rotation work?

The External Rotation primarily works the shoulders. Band Pull Apart, Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench, and Bent Over Low-Pulley Side Lateral train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the External Rotation?

Dumbbells. Without dumbbells, Band Pull Apart, Back Flyes - With Bands, and External Rotation with Band train the same muscle, and 10 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the External Rotation suitable for beginners?

Yes, the External Rotation is rated beginner. One-Arm Kettlebell Split Snatch, One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch, and Double Kettlebell Snatch are the progressions from here.

Where should the External Rotation go in a workout?

Late — the External Rotation is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row and Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

Band Pull Apart Resistance Bands Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench Dumbbell Bent Over Low-Pulley Side Lateral Cable Machine Cable Rear Delt Fly Cable Machine Cable Seated Lateral Raise Cable Machine Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise Dumbbell