Workshop gym, no. 16

Big arm circles

Loosens the shoulders and gets the blood moving before any other work. Big, slow circles, no rush.

Press start when you’re ready

Pin it up in the shed: the moves, the beat and a tally board for your week, on one A4 page.

Download the A4 sheet (PDF)

How to do it

Stand tall, feet hip-width apart, with space around you.
Let your arms hang by your sides.
Swing both arms forwards, up past your ears and round in a big slow circle.
After each forward circle, do one backwards.
Keep your shoulders relaxed and breathe normally.

Easier

Make the circles smaller, or do one arm at a time.

Harder

Do 10 each way, or hold a tin of beans in each hand.

Shoulders

Only go as high as is comfortable. Any pinching pain, make the circles smaller.

This is what worked for me, not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, have had surgery, or feel dizzy, chest pain or breathlessness, stop and check with your GP before carrying on.