Shoulder Strength Training Exercises - For a Stronger and Better-Looking You

Most shoulder strength training exercises are easy enough to execute, in that they do not require high end equipment and can be done both at the gym and at home. Shoulder exercises can give you both strength and a better looking set of shoulders. Below are some of the most effective ones.

1. Shoulder Press. This is the most common workout for developing shoulder strength. It can be performed either by standing or sitting, as long as your back remains straight and your feet are flat on the floor. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level, with your palms facing outward. Raise the dumbbells until your arms are straight up and then lower them slowly and back at starting position. Draw your breath from your diaphragm by contracting your abdominal muscles. Exhale when raising your arms and inhale when lowering them.

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2. Upright Row. Stand straight with your feet apart and your back straight. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing toward your body. Bend your elbows and lift the dumbbells up to chest level. As you do this, your wrists should be straight. Repeat the action several times.

3. Outward Shoulder Rotation. This workout is meant for the internal and smaller muscles of the shoulder. For this, you need a resistance band. Hold it with your hands inches apart and your palms facing upward. Rotate your forearms without moving your elbows. A few inches are good enough as long as you feel your shoulder rotator muscles being worked out. Rotate back to return to the initial position without losing the tension in the resistance band.

4. Lateral Raise. You can do this either by standing or sitting at the edge of a chair with your back straight, elbows slightly bent and arms straight down the sides of the body. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing the sides of the body. Raise your arms slowly upward and away from the sides of your body in a spread-eagle movement up to shoulder level. Repeat several times.

5. Overhead Press. Hold a barbell with your hands apart. The distance between your hands should be slightly wider than the width of your shoulders. The barbell should not be too heavy, particularly if you're just starting these exercises, but not too light either. Hold the barbell at the level of your forehead with elbows bent. Raise it slowly over your head until your arms are straight up. Be careful not to bend or arch your back. Lower the barbell back to starting position and repeat several times.

These shoulder strength training exercises should get you on your way towards having a stronger and better-looking set of shoulders. Just make sure they are done correctly to avoid injuries.