How to Build Shoulder Muscles
Having defined shoulder muscles may seem like an odd thing to focus on, but you’ll be surprised how well-defined shoulder muscles contribute to your overall appeal. For men, having broad and well-built shoulder muscles adds bulk and a stronger silhouette and for women, defined shoulder blades make off-shoulder dresses definitely sexier. Here’s how you can build your shoulder muscles.
A reminder: Before attempting any of these exercises, start with manageable weights or dumbbells first, and don’t forget to do your warm up exercises.
Lateral Raises
muscles
Stand up straight, with your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent slightly.
Grasp the two dumbbells in your hands, with its ends facing back to front.
Keeping your elbows bent slightly, raise your arms so that you form a letter T in conjunction with your body. Keep it up for a two seconds and carefully lower again.
Repeat this for several counts, alternating with other shoulder exercises.
Shoulder Shrugs
Assume the same position you did with lateral raises. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Your arms should be bent slightly at your sides, with the dumbbells facing forward and back.
Simply shrug your shoulders up as high as you can go, hold it for a few moments, and let it go down again. Repeat for a few counts.
Overhead Shoulder Shrugs
Assume the same position as shoulder shrugs.
Raise your arms holding the dumbbells overhead, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
Shrug your shoulders as high as you can, maintaining your hold on the overhead dumbbells. Repeat shrugging for several seconds, and carefully lower the dumbbells.
Front Lateral Raises
Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Grip your dumbbells securely in your hands, with your arms slightly bent.
Raise your arms forward, until your hands are level with with your chest. Hold this pose for a few seconds, and lower them back again. Repeat for a few counts.
Back Shoulder Lift
Stand up straight, with your feet hip-width apart.
Holding your dumbbells facing front and back, and raise it over your head. Then bend it backwards so that your dumbbells are resting only a little bit near your nape. This will be your starting position.
Life the dumbbells upward so that they are nearly over your head. Hold it for a few moments, and slowly bring it downwards to your original position. It’s important that you don’t let gravity do your work, as the lifting downwards is the main point of this particular exercise move.
Doing a combination of these shoulder exercises should bring more definition to your shoulders, one of the body parts that we frequently forget about when working out. Combined with an all-body workout, you’re definitely on your way to a better and fitter body.