Shoulder Muscles Workout

To achieve a perfect muscular body, you cannot afford to ignore a single muscle group in the body. Many health and bodybuilding experts will insist that you pay attention to shoulder muscles workouts. Ignoring this group of muscles can primarily cause some injuries while you exercise some other set of muscles, or it can result in your body looking disproportionate. Plan out your routine in such a way that you dedicate at least two days of your week to shoulder muscles workouts.

Understanding the Shoulder Muscles
Before we venture forth into the descriptions of shoulder muscles exercises, it is crucial for you to understand the workings of the shoulder muscle. The round cap on top of your shoulder is known as the deltoid (or "delts"), and the deltoid is further divided into three parts - namely the front head, the side head and the rear head. The group of muscles around the shoulder joint are collectively known as the rotator cuff. The rotation of the arm around its socket is made possible by the presence of this rotator cuff. These muscles can be injured easily, causing extreme shoulder pain, making it a necessity for you to regularly perform shoulder muscles workouts. Read more about the anatomy of shoulder.

Shoulder Muscles Exercises
As far as shoulder muscles are concerned, there are two main types of shoulder muscles exercises that are commonly used. These are shoulder presses and shoulder raises. Shoulder pressing exercises also involve the triceps, and you can lift heavier weights when you perform this workout for shoulder muscles. Shoulder raises, on the other hand, make you raise your arms in wide arcs after extending them. In these exercises your triceps are not involved, and your shoulder muscles are getting isolated. As a result, you will be able to lift lighter amounts of weight during these shoulder muscles workouts.

Before you actually begin working out your muscles, remember to warm up sufficiently and properly. The risk of injury while performing shoulder muscles workouts is very high and the only precautions you can take are to warm up and carry out your exercises with proper technique. Carry out your repetitions slowly and do not rush yourself to complete a set. It will be more beneficial for you to complete 10 repetitions with a heavier weight, than to perform 30 repetitions with a lighter weight. Quality matters more than quantity.

Here are a few shoulder muscles workouts that are guaranteed to strengthen your shoulder muscles.

Seated Barbell Press (Military Press)
To begin this exercise you need to locate a free weight military press machine. These machines can be easily found at any gym. This is one of the best workout for shoulder muscles. Before you get started, you must remember to keep your back absolutely straight and firmly inclined against the back rest. Now you must hold the bar while keeping your shoulders wide apart. Slowly lift the barbell over your head till your arms are outstretched. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly bring your arms to their original position. Carry out as many repetitions as you can. Learn some more shoulder exercises.

Seated Dumbbell Press
This exercise is similar to the military press. But instead of a barbell at a machine, you use free weights here. Hold a dumbbell in each hand just outside your shoulder, and ensure that your thumbs are facing each other. Slowly lift the weights till your arms are vertically straight, and then return to your original position. Remember to keep your back absolutely upright. If you're looking for some lighter exercises, here are some shoulder exercises for women.

Side Lateral Raises
To perform this shoulder muscles workout, hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs, while simultaneously keeping your elbows slightly bent. Now you must bend your knees forward slightly, and also bend your back in front at a slight angle. Now lift your arms sideways till your arms are parallel to the ground. Carry out these repetitions slowly and increase the number of repetitions as your shoulders get stronger.

Front Lateral Raises
Position yourself in a similar manner to the position for carrying out the side lateral raises. Do not bend your elbows, knees or your back. Lift your arms in front of you, as far up as you can and then lower them back to their original position. It is recommended to lift your arms one at a time, in order to increase the strain on your shoulder muscles.

Bent Lateral Raises
This is another version of the side lateral raises. Stand in a similar manner, but bend your back forward till it is almost horizontal, or parallel to the ground. Lift your arms to your sides, till they reach shoulder level. Carry out many sets of repetitions.

Barbell Shrugs
This is a slightly unorthodox mode of shoulder muscles workout. You need to hold a barbell at shoulder width, with your arms stretched down in front of you as far as possible. Hold the barbells with an overhand grip, and lift your shoulders as high as you can, imitating a shrugging movement. Now bring your shoulders back to their original position, and repeat this move as many times as you can.

One Armed Cable Laterals
This exercise can only be carried out with the one arm cable lateral machine, and not with free weights. You need to hold the stirrup with the hand whose shoulder muscle you will be working. You will be standing sideways and the opposite side of your body will be facing the machine. Now use your shoulder to pull the stirrup till your arm is at the shoulder level. Slowly lower your arm back to its original position and carry out as many repetitions as you can. Read more on some shoulder exercises without weights.

Building up the strength of your shoulder muscles takes a lot of time and commitment. Make a schedule and stick to it on a regular basis. Keep some days as days of rest, change your workout routines frequently, get adequate amounts of sleep and eat right. Without all these additional factors your shoulder muscles workout will be pointless.