Wrist Circles

A beginner stretch for the forearms, with no equipment.

Movement guide

Wrist Circles

Demand · source-assignedEasy (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredBodyweight

Muscle focusForearms

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

This is already one of the gentlest options for these muscles.

This move

Wrist Circles demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoWrist CirclesBeginner · No equipment

Beginner grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

3D demoBar hangIntermediate · Pull-up bar + A step

Similar move, intermediate grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Start by standing straight with your feet being shoulder width apart from each other. Elevate your arms to the side of you until they are fully extended and parallel to the floor at a height that is evenly aligned with your shoulders. Tip: Your torso and arms should form the letter "T: Your palms should be facing down. This is the starting position.
Keeping your entire body stationary except for the wrists, begin to rotate both wrists forward in a circular motion. Tip: Pretend that you are trying to draw circles by using your hands as the brush. Breathe normally as you perform this exercise.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

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Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Forearms.

Equipment

None: body weight and floor space.

Level

Beginner (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Quadruped Wrist Rocks demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoQuadruped Wrist RocksBeginner · No equipment

Wrist & forearm flow demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoWrist & forearm flowBeginner · No equipment

Wrist Flexor Stretch demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoWrist Flexor StretchBeginner · A wall

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Wrist Circles work?

Mainly the forearms.

What equipment do I need for the Wrist Circles?

No equipment: your body weight and a little floor space.

Is the Wrist Circles good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. When it feels easy, try the Bar hang.

How do I make the Wrist Circles harder?

Progress to the Bar hang, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.