Strong shoulders are much more than just an attractive physical feature. There are many smaller muscles in the shoulder area that provide support and stability for the biceps and triceps. If these muscles are not kept strong, they can become unstable and lead to physical injuries.
Injuries to any of the shoulder muscles can lead to a great deal of pain, inflammation, and a limited range of motion that takes a lot of time to heal. The following four exercises can help build shoulder strength to prevent injuries and allow you to perform your daily tasks more efficiently.
Four Exercises that Build Shoulder Strength
Overhead Press
The overhead press is performed by standing straight and holding weights at shoulder level. By lifting these weights straight up and lowering them back down, you can effectively engage the shoulder muscles to build strength. If you are a beginner, you don’t even need to add weights. Merely performing this exercise with the resistance of your body weight can help you get started toward stronger shoulders.
Shoulder Shrugs
Shoulder shrugs are exactly what they sound like. Imagine shrugging your shoulders when engaged in conversation with a friend. Making this same movement will effectively activate and engage the shoulder muscles. Shoulder shrugs can be made more challenging by adding dumbbells, but they are an efficient way to strengthen the shoulders by using the natural resistance of your body as well.
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a time-tested, classic exercise for shoulder strength that many people overlook today. If you are unable to perform floor classic push-ups, you can try them from a kneeling position. If this is still too difficult, wall push-ups are a great way to get started for those just beginning a shoulder workout routine.
Planks
Planks are another often overlooked exercise that provides an excellent workout for the shoulders and arms. Maintaining a planking position is much harder than it may appear. Beginners can start off with just 20 to 30-second increments and build from there. To get into the planking position, place your forearms on the floor and keep your elbows aligned properly below your shoulders. Your arms should remain shoulder-width apart with your legs extended behind you. Holding your body weight up with your arms extended and palms flat on the floor engages all of your shoulder muscles and activates your core as well.
For those just starting a workout routine, obtaining strong and firm shoulders may seem like a daunting task. With persistence and dedication to a few simple moves you can do at home, you can greatly improve the overall strength of your shoulders. Strong shoulders look attractive, but they also serve to protect you from serious injuries to the area.
At Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, we understand how important it is to maintain a strong body that can see you through all the activities of your busy life. If you are in need of any orthopedic services, please contact us today to find out how we can help you maintain a healthy and active body.
