A lot of the attention is paid to the biceps, stomach and back, and yet the shoulders are ignored. This is unfortunate as a lot of serious injuries can be prevented with proper exercise. Here are the most effective ways of strengthening your shoulders.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
The dumbbell shoulder press does an excellent job of building strength without being too difficult. You can use this at the start of your shoulder workout or it may be used as the last. This can also be used along with the barbell shoulder press for greater effect.
Cable Lateral Raises
What makes cable lateral raises effective is it provides a lot of balance for your shoulders and adds power. As you perform the routine there is always tension applied to your muscles, giving your shoulders lots of strength.
To get the best results you’ll want to do cable lateral raises near the end of your exercise routine. This might sound counter intuitive but you’ll benefit more when your shoulders are a little tired.
External/Internal Rotations
Not too many people perform this routine, but internal and external rotations are great for your shoulders without causing injury. Done on a regular basis it’s going to reinforce your rotator cuff muscles. That is one of the most injury areas of your body so strengthening it makes sense.
You can do this routine using a pair of dumbbells or resistance bands. Either way, do it 2 to 3 times a week for maximum benefits.
Barbell Shoulder Press
The barbell shoulder press not only increases shoulder strength but also makes the shoulder less susceptible to wear and tear. Compared to dumbbells, you don’t have to utilize too much energy for stability.
Push ups
This should come as no surprise. Push ups not only build upper body strength, but it also adds a lot of power and strength to your shoulders.
Do as many push ups as you can and you’ll notice an increase in shoulder strength and power. The important thing to remember is to increase the repetitions so you’ll increase your strength as well. This applies not just to push ups but the other exercises mentioned above.
Conclusion
So the next time you’re at Fitness First and looking for ways to improve your workout, focus more on your shoulders and you’ll be happy that you did. You might be surprised at what major improvements in this area can bring you.