Resistance Band Half-Kneeling Shoulder External Rotation exercise demonstration image

Video Coming Soon

We're working on adding video demonstrations for this exercise.

Resistance Band Half-Kneeling Shoulder External Rotation

Beginner
Home Friendly

Resistance band exercise in half-kneeling position that targets rotator cuff and rear deltoids for shoulder stability and injury prevention; used in prehab, warmups, and rehab programs.

About Exercise

Equipment

Bands

Difficulty

2/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Shoulders

Secondary Muscles

Traps, Abs

Accessory Muscles

Glutes

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Stability
Rehab
Mobility

Training Style

Functional Training
Warm-up

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Shoulders

9/10

Rear Delts

Traps

4/10

Lower Traps

Abs

3/10

Transverse Abdominis

Glutes

2/10

Glute Medius

Programming

Typical Rep Range

12-20 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds

How to Perform

Kneel in half-kneeling position with working side knee down and opposite foot flat. Anchor band at elbow height to the side and grasp with working hand.

  1. Bend elbow to 90 degrees and tuck to side.
  2. Rotate forearm outward against band resistance, keeping elbow fixed.
  3. Hold briefly at end range if desired.
  4. Slowly return forearm to start position under control.
  5. Switch sides after completing reps.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Elbow glued to side
  • Core tight, ribs down
  • Rotate at shoulder only
  • No momentum
  • Feel rotators working

Breathing

Inhale during return to start; exhale as you rotate outward. Brace core throughout.

Tempo

2-1-2

Range of Motion

From forearm parallel to torso to perpendicular, without elbow moving from side or shoulder shrugging.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute shoulder pain or impingement
  • Use light band; stop if sharp pain
  • Maintain neutral spine
  • Ensure stable half-kneeling position

Spotting

Not required for light band work; self-spot by controlling tension.

Common Mistakes

  • Allowing elbow to flare out
  • Arching back or shrugging shoulder
  • Using body momentum
  • Incomplete range of motion

When to Avoid

  • Shoulder impingement
  • Rotator cuff tear
  • Acute shoulder instability

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate shoulder external rotation
  • Hip and knee flexibility for half-kneeling

Build Up First

  • Basic half-kneeling stability
  • Familiarity with band tension control

Also known as

Half-Kneeling Banded External Rotation, Banded Shoulder External Rotation Kneeling, Resistance Band Kneeling External Rotation

Found this helpful?

Share your thoughts or help us improve this guide.

Hero Image

Master your movement.

Experience automatic exercise detection and rep counting - powered by the motion of your Apple Watch.

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking 'Accept All', you consent to our use of cookies.