Sexy shapely and sculpted shoulders are a hallmark of a well-balanced physique, yet many women fail to give this aspect of their body the attention it needs for fear of ‘bulking up’ in the upper body.
However, without a dedicated shoulder routine that targets these complex muscle structures from multiple angles, you won’t develop the rounded lines that accentuate your upper arms and deliver that strong yet feminine silhouette.
Sculpted shoulders can also help to create an illusion of a smaller waist and who wouldn’t want that?
READ MORE | Three Moves To Shapely Shoulders
Multiple angles of attack
Shoulders are complex structures as they consist of a joint and the requisite muscles that enable the movement of your arms through 360 degrees – they’re the only joint structure in the body where that’s possible.
The shoulder is also involved in almost every upper body exercise or movement pattern, which makes strong, mobile shoulders a must for anyone serious about their gym training and developing unparalleled strength.
It’s therefore essential that you target the shoulders from multiple angles. This 10-move workout does just that, ensuring you target your front, side and rear deltoid muscles, as well as your trapezius.
Selecting the right weight
It’s important to select a weight that is heavy enough to be effective, yet not so heavy that you sacrifice form and risk injury. A simple test to determine if the weight is sufficient is the ease with which you can lift the dumbbells into the starting position.
If you can’t manage to do so with proper form, or if you need to swing the weights to lift them, then rather opt for a lighter weight.
Ultimately the weight should be heavy enough to provide a challenge during the last few reps of your set.
Choose the best moves
The secret to well-rounded shoulders requires targeting them from multiple angles. Combine these moves during your training to cover all your bases.
Dumbbell shoulder presses (standing or seated)
Lateral raises (dumbbells or cables)
Bent-over rear delt kickbacks
Seated rear deltoid raises
Upright rows
Front raises
Arnold presses
Feature image: PERFORMED BY Lilian Aguilar | SHOT BY James Patrick
Author: Tanja Schmitz
Founder and Editor of Fitness Magazine. You’ll find her behind her computer or on her bike, dreaming up new ways to improve or create content for you.
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