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Cable Standing Shoulder External Rotation

A standing cable rotator cuff drill that strengthens the external rotators with smooth, adjustable resistance for shoulder health and pressing stability.

ShouldersCableShoulder external rotation
GoLightWeight mediacable-standing-shoulder-external-rotation

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

InfraspinatusTeres minor

Secondary

Posterior deltoidsSupraspinatusScapular stabilizers

Equipment

Cable

Pattern

Shoulder external rotation

Setup

  1. 01Set the pulley at elbow height and attach a single handle.
  2. 02Stand side-on with the working arm on the far side from the stack.
  3. 03Pin the working elbow to your side, bent to 90 degrees, forearm across the belly.
  4. 04Place a folded towel between elbow and ribs if it helps keep the elbow fixed.

Execution

  1. 01Rotate the forearm away from the body while the elbow stays glued to the ribs.
  2. 02Turn out as far as you can without the shoulder rolling forward or the trunk twisting.
  3. 03Pause briefly at the end range.
  4. 04Return slowly across the body to the start position.

Checkpoints

  • -Elbow stays pinned to the side through the whole rep.
  • -Wrist stays neutral and in line with the forearm.
  • -Torso does not rotate to help the cable move.
  • -Tempo is slow and controlled in both directions.

Common mistakes

  • -Letting the elbow drift away from the ribs and turning it into a row.
  • -Loading too heavy for the small cuff muscles.
  • -Twisting the torso to fake extra range.
  • -Bending the wrist instead of rotating the shoulder.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 20 reps with light load.
  • -Slot it into warm-ups before pressing or as end-of-session shoulder care.
  • -Progress slowly; small load jumps go a long way on cuff work.

Related exercises

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