Question:
When I look at my upper body, I’m for the most part satisfied, but I don’t like my shoulders. What are the best shoulder exercises that will make them look wider from the front?
Doug, Queens Village
Answer:
Exercises: I guess you shoulder a lot of responsibilities. The best exercises I’ve found for adding width and depth to shoulders are: military barbell presses, dumbbell shoulder presses, side and front raises.
Techniques: Pressing movements are pressed overhead and slightly forward, don't pinch back. Keep elbows positioned directly under the weight, exhaling on the up phase. Remember to do them slowly and controlled.
Lateral and front raises are done with dumbbells. Direction is obvious, brought up to shoulder height and brought down slowly and controlled.
Tip: One of the most common injuries in the gym is shoulder injuries like rotator cuff and impingement. To avoid injury remember that shoulders are a delicate joint, so movement should be controlled throughout - don't take the shoulder out of its house.
