We perform a myriad of tasks due to the wide range of motion that our shoulders allow us. Lifting objects, scratching our back or even throwing a spin ball are some of the tasks that we can accomplish due to the mobility of our shoulders. Nevertheless, this mobility also causes the shoulder to become vulnerable to a host of injuries. Aging, stress and other factors can cause a number of problems in the rotator cuff of the shoulder which is the most susceptible part of the shoulder. Therefore, the only way to prevent any kind of shoulder injuries is to toughen the rotator cuff with the help of rotator cuff exercises.
Like any other muscle, the development of the rotator cuff muscle requires stretching, toning, and training. This will help make it more resistant to injury, strain, and the effects of advancing age. A stronger rotator cuff is less likely to get injured.
It is important to do the exercises properly to prevent injury during exercising.
Begin with the following exercises for the rotator cuff muscles.
Start With A Warm up
Warm ups are essential to a good exercise routine-with the rotator cuff as with any other muscle group. You need to stretch the muscles slowly to help prevent injury or muscle strain. Warm ups for your rotator cuff muscles are simple. Arm circles are a great way to start. Complete 20 reps of each movement to make a complete set. Perform three sets.
* With your arms at your side, lift them slowly. * Bring your arms up over your head. * Lower your arms behind your back slowly. Then return to the original position. * Repeat for 20 reps per set.
If you’re familiar with doing arm circles, this is the basic concept with this warm up. Simply make slow imaginary circles by rotating your arms at the shoulders. Warm up exercises like these are designed to get the blood flowing to your muscles and get them ready to exercise.
Doing Rotations
Make sure that your arms are at the shoulder level and parallel to the floor. Then make a right angle with the elbow by bending the forearm. In this position, you need to rotate your arms. Then come back to the starting point. Weights can also be added for additional resistance. You can start with lighter weights and then add more as your strength increases. This exercise can be performed for three sets of twelve reps each.
Add Lateral Raises With Hand Weights
Using small weights in each hand, raise your arms up straight out from your sides until they are parallel to the surface you are standing on. Then lower your arms slowly. Complete 20 reps to make a set and do three sets.
There are a number of other exercises that can strengthen your rotator cuff and shoulder. Once you are finished with the exercises, you also need to do some gentle stretches in order to cool down. You can simply repeat the warm up stretches.
Take these exercises slow and steady. Fast movements can cause injuries rather than strengthen muscles-and you definitely don’t want that!
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. Please follow this link to learn more about somerotator cuff exercises.