02/16/2026
3 Things Ruining Your Rotator Cuff Warm-Up
Mistake #1
Standing external rotations
with light dumbbells at your side.
Minimal tension.
Minimal carryover.
Mostly momentum.
The cuff doesn’t just rotate.
It stabilizes the humeral head
under load.
Your warm-up should reflect that.
Mistake #2
No isometrics.
Isometrics improve:
• Tendon stiffness
• Joint stability
• Motor control
Before movement even begins.
Better option:
Band ER iso holds
Iso + controlled reps
Time under tension > quick reps
Mistake #3
Skipping closed-chain work.
The shoulder is built to
accept force through the arm.
Planks + shoulder tap.
Bear positions.
Controlled weight shifts.
Warm-ups should prepare the cuff
to stabilize under load -
not just “activate.”
Train the cuff for function.
Not just rotation.
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