External Rotation

An isolation exercise for the shoulder and rotator cuff muscles that involves rotating the shoulder externally against resistance.
Instructions
- Lie sideways on a flat bench with your body fully supported and comfortable.
- Hold a dumbbell in your upper hand with your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Your upper arm should be parallel to the floor and aligned with your torso throughout the movement.
- Keep your forearm perpendicular to your torso, pointing straight forward. This is your starting position.
- Externally rotate your shoulder by lifting the dumbbell upward in a semicircular motion.
- Continue rotating until your forearm is perpendicular to the floor, pointing toward the ceiling.
- Hold the top position briefly and squeeze the shoulder muscles.
- Return to the starting position in a controlled manner.
- Complete the desired repetitions, then switch sides.
Tips
- Keep your upper arm stationary on the bench throughout the entire movement.
- Use light weight to focus on proper form and shoulder health.
- The 90-degree elbow bend must be maintained throughout.
- This exercise is crucial for rotator cuff health and shoulder stability.
- Excellent for prehabilitation and injury prevention.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Gain strength | 3 | 9 reps | 4 kg | 2 kg |
| Build muscle | 3 | 13 reps | 4 kg | 2 kg |
| Build endurance | 3 | 16 reps | 3 kg | 2 kg |
Alternatives
Exercises that target the same muscles with the same force and mechanic.
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench
Learn more about bent over dumbbell rear delt raise with head on bench beginner strength
Bent Over Lateral Raise (Cable)
Learn more about bent over lateral raise (cable) intermediate strength
beginner strength
Bent Over Rear Delt Raise (Dumbbell)
Learn more about bent over rear delt raise (dumbbell) beginner strength
beginner strength
Diagonal Raise (Cable)
Learn more about diagonal raise (cable) intermediate strength
beginner strength
beginner strength
Landmine Rear Delt Fly (Barbell)
Learn more about landmine rear delt fly (barbell) intermediate strength
intermediate strength
Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
Learn more about lying one-arm rear lateral raise (dumbbell) intermediate strength
intermediate strength
intermediate strength
Machine Rear Delt Fly
Learn more about machine rear delt fly beginner strength
Machine Rear Delt Row
Learn more about machine rear delt row beginner strength
Prone YTW Raise (Dumbbell)
Learn more about prone ytw raise (dumbbell) intermediate strength
beginner strength
beginner strength
Rear Delt Fly (Band)
Learn more about rear delt fly (band) beginner strength
beginner strength
Rear Delt Fly (Sled)
Learn more about rear delt fly (sled) beginner strength
Rear Delt Fly (TRX / Suspension Trainer)
Learn more about rear delt fly (trx / suspension trainer) intermediate strength
Rear Delt Raises
Learn more about rear delt raises intermediate strength
Rear Delt Row (Smith Machine)
Learn more about rear delt row (smith machine) intermediate strength
Reverse Fly (Band)
Learn more about reverse fly (band) beginner strength
intermediate strength
beginner strength
beginner strength
intermediate strength
beginner strength
intermediate strength
beginner strength