Introduction

Hi everyone, welcome back! I hope that you all enjoyed and potentially even benefited off my last post emphasizing the importance of exercise in your everyday life! Today, I will be discussing the significance of training your shoulders! Shoulders are a key contributor to arm mobility and your ability to carry out everyday tasks. Straining them is common, so maintaining strong, healthy shoulders is crucial! 

Shoulder Movements

The most important part of a shoulder workout is loosening up before you begin. Although stretching has unfortunately not been proven to reduce injury, it will maximize flexibility before getting physically active. A few beneficial shoulder stretches include cross body shoulder pulls, wall climbs, and shoulder rotation with rotation. Though they may sound complicated, everyone can participate! Personally, I have shoulder issues and wall climbs have been my best friend in my recovery process! You simply begin with your chest flat on a wall, and your hand at shoulder height. Then, slowly slide your hand up the wall as high as possible and hold the stretch for ten to thirty seconds. Repeat this a few times and you will feel rejuvenated! When ready, your workout can begin. The first exercise requires a barbell or dumbbells, whichever you have access to. The military press is a challenging, yet amazingly profitable movement that is a repeated motion of lifting the weight from under your chin to over your head. To ensure proper form and minimize the risk of injury, aim to raise and lower the bar at the same rate. Repeat this for eight to ten repetitions and three sets. If you do not have access to special gym equipment, do not worry! Healthy shoulders are not built by an excessive amount of weight, but much rather light movements targeting rotational abilities. For example, prior to my parents purchasing dumbbells, I searched for and utilized household items for weight! I understand that you may be confused by what I just said, but seriously! Lighter objects, such as canned goods, may sound skeptical, but will surely meet expectations. For beginners and experts, lateral front and side raises focus on the fibers within the deltoids, the primary muscle of the shoulder. Think of these variations as peanut butter and jelly. They complement each other without question. There are three main parts of a deltoid (lateral, anterior, and posterior), all of which will be activated! To execute these movements, start with your arms at your sides, then slowly raise them straight up, either forwards or to the sides. Repeat these movements for around ten to twelve repetitions for three sets. There are plenty of other shoulder exercises, so if these are not for you, feel free to venture out!

Takeaways and Closure

To conclude, training shoulders is vital for overall upper body strength and stability, as shoulders support everyday movements and activities. Also, training your shoulders helps improve your posture by strengthening the muscles that keep your shoulders stable, which lowers the risk of injuries and discomfort from poor alignment. If interested in a more in-depth workout, feel free to comment below!