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Shoulder Workout at Home

Shoulder Workout at Home

At Home Shoulder Workout

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Body Focus - Shoulders

What form the shoulder muscles?

Did you know that your shoulder joint, also known as the glenohumeral joint, has the highest range of motion than any other joint in your body? This joint allows for the widest range of motion in your upper extremity including adduction, flexion, extension, internal rotation, and abduction. In simple words, this joint enables any movement related to your arms or shoulders.

This joint is attached to eight shoulder muscles that give it strength, stability, and shape and are attached to the scapula, humerus, and clavicle. The largest of these muscles is known as the deltoid that is a triangular-shaped muscle and gives your shoulders their rounded-off shape along with the trapezius and rhomboid muscles. Other muscles include the four rotator cuff muscles such as subscapularis, supraspinatus, teres minor, and infraspinatus.

These muscles are voluntary and concentrated around the top of your arm where they connect to your body’s trunk.

Which are the most effective shoulder exercises?

Given the wide range of motion, shoulder muscles are extremely flexible. This makes them undergo a lot of wear and tear, making them susceptible to several degenerative conditions, stiffness, pain, and soreness.

This is where shoulder workouts come in. Also known as scapular strength exercises, shoulder exercises are aimed at increasing the flexibility, strength, and movement in your shoulder muscles.

Here are some of the best shoulder workouts that you can include in your workout regime:

1. Seated lateral raise:

This is an excellent shoulder workout that helps strengthen your entire upper body including the deltoid muscles.

1. Sit comfortably on a bench with your arms at your side. 2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and bend your torso on your thighs. 3. Gently lift the weights and bring your elbows to your shoulder height. 4. Hold this position for a few seconds and lower your arms to the starting position. 5. Do 4-5 sets of 10-15 reps.

2. Dumbbell front raises:

This is an effective full shoulder workout that enhances the mobility of your shoulder muscles and prevents injury.

1. Stand up straight and hold a dumbbell in each hand. 2. Place your hands in the front of your thighs. 3. Slowly lift your left arm while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. 4. Your arm should be parallel to the floor. 5. Pause for a couple of seconds at the top and lower your arm to the starting position. 6. Repeat on the other side. 7. Do 3-4 sets of 15-20 reps.

3. Overhead shoulder press:

This is one of the best shoulder exercises for bigger and healthier shoulders. This also works as an effective back exercise that builds strength in your upper body.

1. Stand up straight and hold a barbell slightly above your chest while keeping your hands shoulder-width wide. This can also be a dumbbell workout. 2. Lift your hands towards the ceiling. 3. Keep your elbows a little drawn in. 4. Hold the pose for a couple of seconds and return to the starting position. 5. Do 3-4 sets of 7-8 reps.

4. Reverse fly:

This is one of the best shoulder exercises that target all the major shoulder muscles along with your middle and upper back.

1. Stand straight and hold a dumbbell in each hand. 2. Your palms must be facing each other. 3. Bend your torso forward and form a 45-degree angle parallel to the floor. 4. Bend your elbows slightly and raise the dumbbells towards your sides till they are parallel to the ground. 5. Do 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps.

How can one workout for shoulders at home?

You don’t always need to invest in a fancy studio space or a gym membership to do shoulder workouts. With basic home gym equipment like exercise bands, suspension trainers, barbells, and dumbbells, you can easily strengthen and tone your shoulder muscles. Here are some of the most effective shoulder exercises at home:

1. See-saw press:

This is an excellent upper body workout that builds strength in your shoulders and improves your posture.

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. 2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and bend your elbows to bring them up to your shoulders. 3. Engage your core, face your palms inward, and extend your left arm fully towards the ceiling. 4. Bring the left arm down and repeat with the right arm. 5. Do 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps on each side.

2. Halo:

This shoulder strength exercise reduces tension in your shoulder muscles, increases their range of motion, and allows them to take more pressure, which helps improve your gym performance.

1. Start this shoulder exercise by kneeling on the floor and keeping your knees hip-width apart. 2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of your chest. Your elbows should point down at the sides. 3. Keeping both the arms slightly bent, circle the dumbbell slowly around your head and back in front of your chest. 4. Do 3-4 sets of 12-14 reps.

Why is it necessary to do a shoulder workout?

Your shoulders move a lot each day. Shoulder muscles are involved in the smallest to the largest motion and movement. Whether it is picking up a glass of water or working out in the gym, every movement involves these muscles.

When such overtly-used and flexible muscles are not exercised, it leads to farther painful implications than you would imagine.

Full shoulder workouts not just help avoid these painful conditions but have other important benefits too. These include:

Shoulder exercises make your muscles flexible and improve their range of motion. This allows you to be more agile while doing your daily chores.

By working out your shoulders through shoulder strength exercises, you can avoid problems such as muscle atrophy, shoulder joint degeneration, frozen shoulder, and instability of the shoulder joint. This lets you enjoy healthier and stronger shoulders for a long time to come.

Shoulder workouts improve the blood flow to your muscles. This not just helps in making more oxygen but also more nutrients to these muscles. This enhanced circulation makes your shoulder muscles more flexible, which has a direct impact on their range of motion. An increased range of motion allows you to play sports, improve your workout performance, and do your daily activities easily.

Shoulder strength exercises make your muscles stronger. Stronger muscles offer better and more support to the joints. This helps in reducing and preventing pain in your shoulders. Plus, these exercises release endorphins. These are the body’s natural painkillers that reduce painful conditions.

Shoulder workouts stabilize your muscles. This stabilization prevents bone dislocation and their breakage from friction and injuries.

One of the best shoulder exercises benefits is that they help you lose weight. This prevents serious obesity-related health concerns such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes, kidney problems, etc.

Full shoulder workouts make your shoulders well-developed and more proportional. This not just adds strength to them but also makes you look healthier and toned. This enhanced appearance improves your confidence levels.

If you are someone who leads a sedentary lifestyle and spends a lot of time sitting, full shoulder workouts are even more essential for you. They help in preventing postural problems such as pains and stiffness and in improving your posture.

One of the best benefits of shoulder workouts at home is that they are pretty simple to do at home or anywhere if you are traveling. They don’t require you to invest in expensive equipment or a gym membership to do these workouts.

What are bodyweight shoulder exercises?

Bodyweight shoulder exercises are a form of strength training exercises that do not require the use of equipment. They use your bodyweight to build strength, flexibility, and balance in your shoulder muscles.

Bodyweight shoulder workouts, including plyometric and callisthenic routines, also create better resistance, endurance, and coordination in your shoulder muscle movements.

Since they include both strength and cardio exercises along with compound movements, bodyweight shoulder exercises at home are extremely efficient in giving great results.

How can one get bigger shoulders at home without weights?

Here are some of the best shoulder exercises that can be easily done at home. These shoulder workouts at home don’t require any equipment and use your body weight for strengthening and sculpting your shoulders.

1. Incline push-up:

This is one of the best shoulder workouts that target your deltoid, triceps, and pectoral and strengthen them. It also reduces and prevents shoulder pain.

1. Start in a plank position keeping your hands shoulder-width apart elevated on a bench. 2. Gently lower your chest towards the bench and use your chest and triceps to push your body back to the starting position. 3. Do 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps.

2. Plank to down dog:

This is an excellent shoulder workout at home that also doubles up as a great chest workout. It makes your shoulders, back, biceps, triceps, and legs stronger, making it one of the best shoulder exercises.

1. Start by getting into a plank position. 2. Exhale and lift your hips while transferring your weight backward. Try to create a straight line from the wrists to the hips. 3. Slowly lower back into the starting plank position.

3. Side plank with lateral raise:

One of the best shoulder workouts, side plank with lateral raise gives a serious challenge to your shoulder muscles and strengthens them in turn.

1. Get into a side plank position and rest your body weight on one elbow. 2. Keep your body in a straight line. 3. You can either keep both or one knee bent or both legs straight. 4. Lift your hips off the floor slowly and remain elevated. 5. Lift your free arm towards the ceiling and bring it back to rest it on your hip 6. Do 5 sets of 10 reps.

Who can do these exercises?

Shoulder workouts can be done by anyone who wants to stabilise their posture and increase the strength in their shoulder muscles irrespective of their age. These workouts can be done by children as young as 7 years, seniors, those who want to lose weight, etc. People who are recovering from surgeries, injuries, or limited mobility can also do simpler forms of these exercises after consulting the doctor. Shoulder workouts are especially recommended for people who need to lift heavy weights or those who lead sedentary lives.

It is a good idea to consult with your doctor before beginning shoulder workouts at home. This helps rule out any health risks and possible injuries.

Who should avoid doing shoulder exercises?

Following categories of people should never start shoulder exercises at home or gym without consulting a doctor:

1. Avoid doing shoulder workouts if you are suffering from pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, or back. 2. If you have recently undergone surgery and are yet to heal. 3. If you have suffered a recent injury. 4. People who are sleep-deprived or fatigued. 5. People who have heart disease, asthma, spondylitis, arthritis, etc. 6. Those who are feeling excessively stressed or anxious. 7. Those who have sore or fatigued muscles. 8. Pregnant women.

What are some precautions to follow while doing shoulder exercises?

For even the best shoulder workout to benefit you, it needs to be done with care. Here are some tips to ensure your safety while doing these exercises:

1. Never start doing shoulder workouts on your own. Always learn their techniques from an experienced trainer to avoid serious injuries. 2. Always incorporate a warm-up and cool-down session in your regime of shoulder strength exercises. This helps prevent muscle pains, stiffness, and soreness. 3. Never give yourself unrealistic goals and overexert yourself. Getting toned shoulders takes time. 4. Always include an adequate rest period in your shoulder workouts regime. 5. Be consistent with your workouts. Taking too many breaks may not yield the desired results. 6. Mix up different shoulder exercises at home such as yoga postures and cardio-strength exercises. This will keep you engaged and motivated. 7. Use proper equipment to avoid injuries. 8. Always keep yourself hydrated during your workout sessions. 9. Listen to your body. If you feel stress, pains, dizziness, or shortness of breath while exercising, stop immediately.

Keeping your shoulders healthy goes a long way in helping you enjoy an active and healthy life. For conditioned and strong shoulders, ensure that you balance shoulder workouts with sensible lifestyle choices.