Best exercise to build your shoulder muscles.
When building up shoulder muscles there are several different exercises you may perform. Keep in mind the key to shoulder exercises is quality not quantity. Always warm up with a light cardiovascular exercise along with stretching your muscles. If you do this before beginning your workout routine you will be far les likely to get injured.
Shoulder exercises should always be performed at the beginning of your workout while muscles are fresh. You don't want to start working on other smaller muscles like your biceps before your shoulder muscles. Start with the bigger muscles than work on smaller muscle groups. The shoulders are the biggest muscles in your arm/chest area so begin with them. Many times people spend too much time performing exercises to build up their shoulder muscles and neglecting other major muscle groups in their workout routine. Remember it is quality not quantity when building shoulder muscles. Some shoulder muscle building exercises you may want to try are:
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Clean and press: This exercise involves not only building shoulder muscles but almost all the other major muscles in the body making it a whole body workout. This exercise is performed using a barbell. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, position your hands shoulder width apart. Hold the barbell in a squat position. Now using your legs lift the bar with your arms straight up to approximately shoulder height. You are ready to perform shoulder press exercises and at the midpoint position. Press the weight overhead, then bring it back to the midpoint position. Now just reverse the cleaning movement to get the weight back on the floor. Remember your breathing, exert while you exert. Also 50% of weight should be done in your warm up routine for 1-2 sets.
Overhead shoulder press also known as barbell military press: You can use either a machine or free weights to perform this exercise. You may stand or sit when trying this exercise. Firmly grip the bar with an overhand grip, your hands should be positioned shoulder width apart. With your elbows bent and hands at eye level, push the weight above your head. Then lower the bar back to the starting position using controlled motion. Also don't forget your breathing, exert while you exert.
Lateral raise exercises: When performing lateral raise exercises form is important. Use controlled motion. Don't let your arms just swing. Front lateral raise; Hold dumbbells in each hand and bring them together directly in front of you. The palms of your hands should be facing each other and elbows should be bent. Lower dumbbells in a controlled motion in front of you, then bring back to the starting position. Side lateral raise: Holding weights in each hand, elbows bent. Lift your arms out to the side about shoulder level. Using controlled movement lower arms back down and repeat. One arm raises: Using weights, begin in a wide stance right hand resting on left knee. Tip from the hips and bend forward keeping back flat and abs in, lunge to the right while bringing arm up to shoulder level. Keeping your elbow slightly bent lower arm while lunging to the other side. Don't twist your hips while bringing weight up, keep movements slow and controlled. Perform 10-16 reps before switching sides.
There are several exercises that build shoulder muscles you may want to try. Many of these exercises will involve weights. You may either want to go to the gym or purchase your own equipment. Try to not neglect working out your other major muscles. Good nutrition can also be a major factor in building your muscles. Good eating habits along with a healthy lifestyle are also factors in building and strengthening body muscles.
