How to Do Claps Over the Head: Form and Benefits
Master claps over the head with our expert guide. Improve shoulder endurance and mobility using this simple, effective bodyweight exercise.
How to Perform
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms hanging naturally at your sides.
- Raise both arms out to your sides simultaneously with your palms facing forward.
- Continue the upward arc until your hands meet directly above the center of your head.
- Clap your hands together lightly while maintaining a tall posture and a tight core.
- Lower your arms back down through the same lateral path until they return to your sides.
- Maintain a steady rhythm and keep your elbows unlocked but straight throughout the movement.
Common Mistakes
- Shrugging your shoulders toward your ears during the upward phase
- Arching your lower back to compensate for limited shoulder range
- Dropping the arms too quickly without controlling the descent
- Bending the elbows excessively which reduces the tension on the deltoids
Muscles Worked
Primary movers
- Shoulders
Stabilizers
- Upper Back
- Trapezius
- Lateral Deltoids
Related Guides
- Arm Raises (T/Y/I) — Shoulders
- Arnold Press — Shoulders
- Australian pull-ups — Shoulders
Shoulders · Shoulders