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Around the World Exercise: All you need to know in 2025

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Around the World Exercise

As the fitness world is evolving rapidly, techniques are changing and everyone is looking to improve their life in every aspect to look good and healthy, “Around the world exercise” is a game-changer. It doesn’t matter if you are an athlete, body-weight trainer, or a total beginner this fully body rotational movement can transform your workout routine, enhance your mobility by engaging your core, and strengthen your shoulders.

Around the world exercise: A dynamic multi-joint movement targeting shoulders, core, and legs. Mostly, it comes with strength training that can be considered it only target your shoulders or chest, which is performed with a dumbbell, plates, or kettlebell. It is not completely true.

Let’s find out the complete truth to understand its effectiveness together,

What Is the Around the World Exercise?

Around the world exercise is a compound movement that combines the elements of squats, lunges, and arm rotations, for which the most needed types of equipment are plates, kettlebells, plates, or any kind of body weight. It covers all the major muscle groups depending on the weight type and can also help you to try different variations for each muscle.

For example, if you are bored or sick of doing the same exercises repeatedly, then you must change the way and try something new to feel fresh and gather more energy to perform well. This is definitely going to give you more results as you progress. Remember patience is a key in any game or field of life.

Benefits of the Around the World Exercise 

There are plenty of benefits of doing this exercise that make it valuable, and that’s why it deserves a Spot in your workout routine, some of them are mentioned below,

  • Full-Body Engagement: Each major muscle, like the shoulders, core, glutes, and legs
  • Versatile: Can be done with dumbells, kettlebells, plates or any body weight that you can hold and control easily
  • Enhance Balance: When you use kettlebells for core exercise, you perform 360-degree movement, which helps in improved coordination.
  • Functional Fitness: Real-life movements, which are like lifting and twisting.
  • Injury Prevention: It helps you focus on correct movements to avoid injuries and movements with stability.
  • Calorie Burn: Best for fat loss and could be done together with cardio, it helps to burn more calories.
  • Adaptability: It works well with all levels of fitness (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced)

How the Around the World Exercise Improves Shoulder Health

It enhances the dynamic range of Motion, and this exercise requires moving the arms in a circular motion (like., drawing a globe), which forces your shoulder through its full range of motion.

Key Benefit: 

  1. Rotational movements protect stretches and strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, deltoids, and scapular stabilizers.
  2. It is also used in rehabilitation and injury prevention, as when we work mostly sitting on a chair or desk for a long time, it helps us combat stiffness from such a sedentary lifestyle.

Science-proved Insight: 

In 2019, a study in the “Journal of Sports Science & Medicine” found that a multi-planner shoulder movement helps to strengthen and improve joint flexibility and reduce injury risk.

1- Improves Scapular Stability

  • Role of Scapula: The shoulder blades(scapulae) must stay engaged and fully stable during the exercise so that you are able to control the circular motion that prevents injury.
  • Important Benefit: Strengthens the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles, which leads to the scapula. It fixes the “winged scapula” problems and creates the correct angle.
  • Visual Indication: You can imagine squeezing a pen between your shoulder blades during the move.

2- Balances Muscle Development

As we do workouts in our daily lives, we need to focus on control and correct movements; one wrong angle can lead to a disastrous injury. If we compare around the world exercise with traditional workouts, many exercises (e.g., bench press) focus on the specific muscle (e.g., front deltoids,) which is good, but sometimes it creates muscle imbalance. 

  • How the exercise Helps: Now, the 360-degree movement targets anterior (front), lateral (side), and posterior (rear) deltoids equally on each spot.
  • Reduce Injury Risk: Decrease the potential risks due to muscle imbalance that will lead to incorrect posture and chronic pain.

3- Upgrade Functional Shoulder Mobility

  • Real-Life Scenarios: While doing these shoulder movements using the technique of around the world, there are some other similar exercises used with this name “around the world shoulder exercise”  movement mimicking daily activities like lifting groceries, reaching overhead, and playing sports (e.g., tennis serves).
  • Key Takeaways: Trains the shoulders to move safely under load in multiple planes. Enhances performance in sports like CrossFit, boxing, or swimming. 

4- Low-impact Rehabilitation Potential

  • For Injury Recovery: In any exercise or physical activity as you progress in your routine all the time controlled, circular motion (with light weights or no weights) can rehab weak shoulders post-injury. The eccentric (lowering) phase builds tendon( a fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones that allows you to move your limbs)
  • Caution: Avoid this exercise during acute shoulder injuries unless you go to a physiotherapist who suggested you while seeing your condition.

How to Perform the Around the World Exercise Correctly

When It comes to doing any exercise, correct form and right angle are important things So that we can only focus on what matters and, according to the right technique. Let’s understand it below,

Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Form

Steps:

  • Starting Position: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weight or kettlebell (would be easier to hold).
  • Movement: Squat, rotate the weight in a circular motion, and transition into a lunge. Must control all parts of the body and rotate the necessary.
  • Key Things: Keep your core tight and back straight make sure not to bend it.
  • Pro Tip: Include a warning about common mistakes (e.g., arching the back or rushing reps). Make sure your ego doesn’t get in the way.

When you are sure about your form next step is to perform the exercise in real-time, let’s not wait to kickstart with one of the “around the world exercises” 

Dumbbell Around the World Exercise: A Walkthrough:-

This is a detailed guide on how to perform around the world exercise with a dumbbell, so hold your dumbbell, pack your energy and let’s do it together, here is how,

  1. Start Position – Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Grip – Hold a dumbbell with both hands at waist level.
  3. Movement – Slowly rotate the weight in a circular motion around your head
  4. Control – Keep movements slow and controlled
  5. Breathing – Inhale as you move up, exhale as you complete the circle.
  6. Repetitions – Perform 8-12 reps per direction. Or, according to your stamina, make sure the angle is correct.

This was the written guideline below I attached a video link from YouTube that will help you visualize how to perform it.

Dumbbell Around the World Exercise

Dumbbell Around the World Exercise: Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using Too Much Weight (Ego Lifting)
  • Incorrect Grip or Wrist Position
  • Moving Too Fast
  • Not Engaging the Core
  • Arching the Lower Back (Poor Posture)

Different Types of the Around the World Exercise

When it comes to doing any exercise that is associated with bodybuilding and fitness, choosing the right exercise that is not only helpful but also spices up your workout routine then variations in exercise make it more entertaining, so let’s know for now some common exercises associated with around the world exercise, what are they are to whom they work for.

1- Dumbbell Around the World Exercise

  • The most common and popular gym-friendly version is also tried in an open space.
  • Excellent for Shoulders & Arms

2- Kettlebell Around the World Exercise (Best for Core Strength)

  • Engages core and grip strength more than dumbbells because you can have more hold using a kettlebell
  • If you are a boxer, martial artist or athlete, this can make your day. Don’t worry; others can also try this.

3- Plate Around the World Exercise

  • Very good for home workouts
  • Beginner friendly

4- Bodyweight Around the World Exercise

  • Performed with no weights involved using dynamic arm circles

These are just for your knowledge If you want in-depth knowledge on every exercise, please do let me know in the Comments sections. I am available for your guidance and suggestions.

Best Warm-Ups Before Doing the Around the World Exercise

It’s very common whenever a patient goes to a doctor; after checking the situation, the doctor suggests medicine according to the disease while also mentioning some precautions like what to eat and what not to eat; in this way, we will also look at some of the best pre-workout warm-ups, that are relevant to the around the world exercise.

1- Arm Circles (Forward and Backward)

  • Why: Activates shoulders and rotator cuffs
  • How: 10 reps forward + 10 reps backward (small to large circles)

2- Leg Swings (Side-to-Side & Front-Back)

  • Why: Losens hips and hamstrings for smooth transitions 
  • How: You need to do 10 Swings per leg in each direction.

3- Torso Twists 

  • Why: It warms up the core and spine for rotational moves.
  • How: 15 slow twists (hold arms out or use a light stick) quantity of reps on your strength.

4- Jumping Jacks (1-2 minutes)

  • Elevates your heart rate and also engages full-body muscles.

5- Light Dynamic Flow

  • For Example: 5 bodyweight squats + 5 lunges + 5 arm reaches overhead
  • Why: It’s very best for the exercise’s compound motion.

Workout Plan Featuring the Around the World Exercise

LevelExerciseSets x RepsRest Time
BeginnerWarm-up: Shoulder Circles, Arm Swings, Plank (30s)  –1 minute
Dumbbells Around the World (Light Weight)3 x 10 (each direction)30 seconds
Bodyweight Squats3 x 12 30 seconds
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press3 x 1230 seconds
Glute Bridges3 x 1545 seconds
Plank Hold3 sets x 20 sec30 seconds
IntermediateWarm-up: Resistance Band Shoulder Activation, Core Twists, Jump Rope (2 min)1 minute
Kettlebell Around the World (Moderate Weight)3 x 12 (each direction)30 seconds
Bulgarian Split Squats3 x 10 (each leg)45 seconds
Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press3 x 1230 seconds
Hanging Leg Raises3 x 1245 seconds
Russian Twists (Using Weight)3 x 20 (total)45 seconds
AdvancedWarm-up: Dynamic Stretches, Resistance Band Pull-Aparts, Core Rotations1 minute
Plate Around the World (Heavy Weight)4 x 15 (each direction)45 seconds
Kettlebell Swings3 x 1245 seconds
Barbell Overhead Press4 x 860 seconds
Hanging Windshield Wipers3 x 1045 seconds
Weighted Plank Hold3 x 40seconds30 seconds

While focusing on this exercise, the main purpose of a person is to achieve the goals and purposes in life, To be hones,t this is the Goal or purpose in our lives that makes us stay alive and energetic and do something When sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and life looks like everything stopped I am useless, I can’t do something mostly happens when we are far away from our purpose don’t involve ourself in a goal or destination. Starting with a little is the key to becoming the best version of yourself. In the meantime, we were talking about around the world exercise, and many other terms and studies are similar to this, We can know them for motivation for our fitness journey, I am going to share some real-life scenarios when people achieve something.

Case Studies & Real-Life Success Stories

Below are the real-life success stories or case studies of people who took on “around the world” challenges (or globally-oriented fitness endeavors) and achieved remarkable outcomes. These examples show individual dedication, and perseverance as well as global community initiatives.

1) Mark Beaumont — Cycling Around the World

  • Who: Mark Beaumont, a Scottish endurance cyclist.
  • Challenge: In 2008, he set a record of completing the first cycle around the world in 194 days. Secondly, he broke his record in 2017 by completing an 18,000-mile journey.
  • Key Success Factors
  1. Conscientious Planning: Beaumont coordinated logistics, nutrition, and rest stops down to the hour
  2. Team Support: Despite solo riding, he had the remote team handling route updates, equipment, and dietary needs.
  3. Mental Endurance: By spending long hours on the bike each day, he proved his mental stamina and strength 

His story became an inspiration for cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts all over the world, this portrays a real image of self-believe and honesty with your purpose.

2) Rosie Swale-Pope — Running Around the World

  • Who: Rosie Swale-Pope, a British adventurer and Marathon runner.
  • Challenge: In the early 2000s, She undertook a 5-year journey running across Europe, Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Continental America before returning to the United Kingdom  
  • Key Success Elements
  • Resilience: Undergone extreme climates, from Siberian Winters to Alaskan Wilderness.
  • Community Help: Local communities during her journey, often provided shelters, supplies of food and other, and moral support.
  • Purposeful Motivation: She ran in the memory of her husband, which helped her gather her strength.

Became an emblem of human endurance and a motivational figure for people aiming to tackle long-distance running or philanthropic journeys.

Popular YouTube Videos for Extra Learning

As you are reading now, I respect your time and appreciate it, So around the world exercise is a popular technique of doing exercise to try something new, I would like to add links to some popular YouTube videos that would definitely provide more value.

Best Video Tutorials for the Around the World Exercise

  1. Bodyweight Around the World exercise
  2. Kettlebell Around the World Exercise
  3. Plate Around the World Exercise

Conclusion

In the end, around the world exercise isn’t something about rotating the weights in a circular motion, but it is definitely about unlocking your body’s potential in a way that builds strength, and improves mobility and endurance while keeping your workout routine more exciting. 

It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out, or you have been training for so many years adding this movement to your routine can really make a difference.

As well as fitness isn’t just about lifting heavy weights or doing more reps, it’s something called, moving better, feeling stronger, and staying injury-free.

As a matter of fact we all are on a journey to become the best version of ourselves, so don’t think too much sometimes a small change in our routine can lead to big results.

If you want more workouts, tips, and fitness insights, we are coming up with plenty of new advanced topics in AI and fitness together soon, So visit our site for expert fitness advice, workout guides,  and practical tips to level up your training. 

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