4 Part Shoulder Warmup

By Chad Wesley Smith

Struggling with shoulder pain? A lack of scapular mobility and stability can lead to pain and poor performance in pressing and overhead movements. Use these 4 drills to get your shoulders and upper back moving through a full ROM with control and intent to alleviate pain, build stability and boost performance.



Upper Back Cat/Cow

-Hands Stacked Under Shoulders

-Drive the Upper Back High, As If A String Is Pulling From Between Your Shoulder Blades Toward the Ceiling

-Drop Your Chest Between Your Shoulders, Feel Your Movement Come from Your Scapula

-10 Reps In Both Directions

Bear Crawl Shoulder Touches

-Hands Under Shoulders. Knees 1” Off Ground

-Move With Control and Intent

-Keep Hips Level Like Balancing A Glass of Water on Your Low Back

-5 to 10 Reps Each Hand

Band Pullaparts

-Grip Band with Overhand or Underhand Grip

-Pinch Scapula Together As If Squeezing a Pencil b/t Your Shoulder Blades

-Pull Band Apart with Straight Arms

-Band Should Contact Chest In Same Spot That Bar Does in Bench

-Perform 10-20 Reps

Cuban Press

-Maintain A Neutral Trunk Position w/ Ribs Stacked Over Hips

-Raise Elbows w/ Minimal Shoulder Shrug

-Externally Rotate w/ Control

-Press While Maintaining Neutral Spine

-Internally Rotate w/ Control

-Perform 10-15 Reps

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