We’re usually so busy working on hitting a new PR on a jerk or press that we tend to forget about the little guys — the tinier shoulder muscles that might not take up much space but still have a big job to do.

It might not feel as sexy as a 100kg split jerk, but the accessory work that targets those smaller muscles is vital to your strength and overall shoulder health. If you want to be lifting for a long time — while avoiding injury — you can’t neglect this part of your training.

No stranger to shoulder problems, Brooke Ence has some solid advice: the YTW complex.

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YTW: The YTW warm-up complex is quick series of exercises that you can add to your routine to help overall shoulder health. The focus should be on form and proper shoulder positioning, this ensures that the proper muscles are firing and that the posterior muscles are strengthened properly through their full range of motion. Retract scapula back and down. Starting with your hands forward and palms down, lift your hands into the Y position pausing for one second at the top of the movement. Repeat the Y position for 5 reps. Then perform 5 reps Pausing in the T position. Then finish With 5 reps Pausing in the W position. Keep squeezing shoulder blades back and down through ROM. Keep core tight and try not to extend at your low back. Keep the resistance light and work your way up to 3 sets of 5-10 reps for each movement Ys, Ts, and Ws. – Follow @nakedprogram 🔥 and join the Naked Training program 😎 … I mean, only if you want to you ❤️ – #itmakesence #nakedtrainingprogram #conventionalfitness #functionalfitness #encewear #crossfit #warmupexercise

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Don’t forget that shoulder mobility is important, too.

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