How to Do Neck Circles: Proper Form, Variations, and Common Mistakes

Neck circles stretch your neck by flexing and extending the neck muscles. They can help relieve tightness and soreness in the neck and upper back muscles while decompressing the vertebrae that results from being tense. 

Overall, neck circles are relatively simple and do not require any extra equipment. They also can be done at any time. Try neck circles whenever you feel neck tension or as part of your warm-up.

How to Do Neck Circles

Do neck circles in a standing position if you can. Although you can perform them in a seated position, you will get the best range of motion if your head can move without touching the back of a chair.

Start with your head straight, looking forward. Take a few breaths to relax and try to relieve any tension in your muscles in the neck and trapezius, which sit on top of your shoulders. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms relaxed by your sides.

1. Brace your core and pull your shoulders down and back. Keep your back neutral (don’t arch your spine).
2. Tip your head gently to the right side, lowering your ear toward your right shoulder. Stop once you feel a stretch. Do not push past this point.
3. Hold here while maintaining that position—shoulders down and back and core braced—for 1 to 2 seconds.
4. Roll your head gently forward, dropping your chin toward your chest.
5. Press your chin into your neck as if you are making a double chin. Hold for 1 to 2 seconds.
6. Roll your head toward your left shoulder, pausing to hold for 1 to 2 seconds.
7. Roll your head back, tilting your chin toward the ceiling. Keep your shoulders down and back throughout.
   

Benefits of Neck Circles

If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a screen or find yourself tight after a workout, neck circles can help. Taut, tense neck muscles can interfere with your work or recreational activities if you’re feeling discomfort. Keeping your neck muscles flexible may help reduce and prevent neck strain.

Neck circles can help relieve tension and are an excellent way to help warm up your neck before a workout. They are especially useful when you will be moving your neck or tucking in your chin a lot, such as with boxing or martial arts.

Performing neck circles as part of a cool-down after lifting weights is ideal as well. Many strength training positions can cause you to tense your neck and trapezius muscles. Counteracting that with gentle post-workout stretching can bring movement back into the area.

Other Variations of Neck Circles

You can perform this exercise in different ways to meet your skill level and goals.

Partial Neck Circles

If tipping your head backward feels uncomfortable, you can perform half circles. Tip your neck to one side, roll forward and then to the other side. But instead of rolling back, tip your head back to the upright position to complete one rep.

Neck Circles with Pressure

This variation will deepen the stretch once you are fully warmed up. To begin, bring your hand to the top of your head and use your fingertips to apply some gentle pressure. Follow the same steps as the original version, with these additions:

• Use the pressure to tip a little further to the sides during the lateral flexion (side stretch) part of the movement. Be very gentle and do not yank or shove your head.  
• You can do the same thing with the forward flexion of your neck. Place your hand behind your head with your fingertips above the base of your skull. Lightly put pressure on the area to tip your head a little further forward. Be very slow and gentle.
• While tipping your head backward, place your fingers on your forehead and gently tip back.
  

Common Mistakes

While neck circles are beginner-friendly and easy to perform, good form is essential. If you break form, you risk injury. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Trying to Stretch Too Far

Sometimes deepening into a stretch is a good idea, such as with a hamstring stretch where pushing a little once you are warmed up is OK. When it comes to neck circles, however, stretching too much should be avoided.

Moving Too Quickly

To make the most of this exercise and ensure proper form, move slowly, holding the stretch over each shoulder and in the forward and backward position. Moving too quickly or rushing the movements can cause an injury.

Head Out of Alignment

On the side stretches, do not hold your head forward or backward. Your head should stay stacked over your neck, in between your shoulders, with your ears lined up above your shoulders. Avoid shifting your head forward or backward.

Hunching and Arching Back

As you roll your neck, avoid moving any other part of your body. Maintain a neutral spine without hunching it when you roll forward or arching it when you roll backward. Brace your core and move slowly to maintain your posture.

Shifting Shoulders

Just as with your back, keep your shoulders in place throughout the movement. To start, roll them back and slide your shoulder blades down to retract and depress them. Keep them locked in this position without tension.

Safety and Precautions

Before performing neck circles, speak to a healthcare provider if you have any unusual pain, shooting pain, or tingling in your neck or if you have any medical conditions that might cause neck pain or injury.

If you have no pain or discomfort during this exercise, it is safe to perform. However, it’s imperative to go slowly and smoothly and not make any jerky motions or stretch too far. 

Also, older people and those with heart conditions may want to avoid tilting the head backward. Doing so may cause the arteries in the back of the neck to become too narrow and restrict blood flow, leading to fainting.

If you have any bone or joint conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, you may want to avoid tipping your head back. Perform the half-circle version instead. Alternatively, only tilt your head from side to side and avoid the forward and backward positions. Don't forget to breathe smoothly throughout the exercise.

Complete 3 to 5 repetitions in one direction and then roll in the other direction.

Try It Out 

Incorporate this move and similar ones into one of these popular workouts:

• 10 Neck and Shoulder Stretches to Relieve Tension
• 10 Best Stretches for Office Workers
• Relaxing Total-Body Stretches