The shoulder muscles have been known for centuries as being the icon of strength; from ancient Greek wrestlers to bodybuilders today. The shoulders are where you get noticed.
There is a common theme amongst bodybuilders today and in Western society that the chest is developed much more than the shoulders. I personally don't think that's a great look. I mean, who want to have big boobs if you're a man anyway!
I know, muscle is muscle, and strength is strength. If you're not concerned with a great Greek god like physique, then stop reading now. I'm interested in a proportioned body, not just a massive strong one.
Anyway, I digress.
Shoulder exercises should be used to develop your upper body strength the majority of the time.
Bench is good, because it targets the shoulders and chest at the same time, but again, it's primarily a chest exercise and you'll develop way too much chest muscle if this is all you do to workout your shoulders.
Try the Military Press instead. Sometimes called the behind the neck press. It's the best comprehensive shoulder muscle exercise you will find and if you're looking for size, and strength you've got it all right here.
It's similar to any other pressing exercise. You can use either dumbbells or a bar. Even the smith machine, but as stated in previous articles, you do not get the whole range of movement available and therefore do not develop the supporting muscles as easily. This can lead to injury so grab the free weights.
How it works:
1. Take a seat on your favorite bench
2. Position the dumbbells to each side of your shoulders with your elbows below your wrists. (If you're using a bar, place bar behind your back and rest on the nape of your neck)
3. Push that weight above your head until you reach a full arm extension, but do not lock your elbows
4. Lower the weight slowly, and repeat
It's easy to perform this exercise, and you can build up to some massive weight and shoulder strength.
I've personally found that using the shoulder press, lat pull downs (or chins), and bench press will be a great all round upper body workout wherever you are.
It's simple, they are all comprehensive exercises that target major muscle groups, and they all pack on stacks of strength and muscle.
Here are some extra tips:
Try doing the shoulder press standing up to get a whole body stability workout. Even start by lifting the weight from the floor in a clean and jerk motion, to the shoulders in a lateral raise motion, then shoulder press a few times before lowering the weight. It's intense, and will stimulate your body to grow VERY quickly.
Vary the focus. Try cycling about an 8 week turnover focusing on Shoulder press, then Bench, then Chins.
i.e. Workout Shoulder Press FIRST during the first 8 week cycle, then complete the rest of your workout. Next cycle, workout the Bench FIRST... etc.
You'll find that by the time you get back to shoulder press, you've packed on massive muscle all over your upper body, and you've improved your overall strength for each exercise.
As always: If you're not getting better, you're getting worse. So get back to work!
Do you need answers to any of the following questions?
What's the best training program?
What do I eat, and when?
What exercises should I do for my body type?
How long will it be until I will see results?
Get answers to these questions and more when you check out these FREE tips on how to achieve bigger muscles fast and the techniques I use to help me keep building muscles now
These are proven effective and 100% guaranteed to pack on stacks of muscle to your body fast.
See you there...
Sincerely,
Dave Vower
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