Overhead Dumbbell Press
Description
If you only have time for one shoulder exercise - the overhead dumbbell press is it. No other exercise even compares to the overhead dumbbell press when it comes to targeting the shoulders and stimulating the development of lean muscle. The overhead dumbbell press is classified as a compound, multi-joint movement. These types of exercises generally trigger a greater anabolic hormone response, which is beneficial for both muscle gain and fat loss.
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Execution
- Select appropriately weighted dumbbells, sit on an upright bench and rest the weights on your thighs.
- Initiate movement by kicking up one weight at a time to provide assistance in getting the weights up to starting position. Starting position has your arms at a 90 degree angle with wrists in alignment with your elbows.
- Exhale, extend your arms and drive the weights overhead. The finishing phase of the exercise has the weights making slight contact.
- Inhale and lower the weights back to the original starting position which has your arms at a 90 degree angle with your wrist and elbow aligned.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Performing the overhead dumbbell press while standing instead of sitting on the upright bench is slightly more functional in the sense that it mimics day-to-day movements. This version also requires more stability so additional muscles - particularly those of the core - are recruited.
Arnold Shoulder Press
Description
Current governor and six time Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzengger, used this variation of the shoulder press while training for his bodybuilding competitions - which is why it has been dubbed the “Arnold shoulder press”. The variation - which involves alternating the arm position to alternate muscular recruitment within the shoulder - is quite advanced and should be performed using lighter weights than you would normally use for a typical shoulder press.
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Execution
- Select appropriately weighted dumbbells and sit on an upright bench.
- Kick the dumbbells up to a position that has the palms facing the shoulders.
- Exhale, drive the weights overhead and gradually rotate the palms away from the body throughout the motion.
- Inhale and at a controlled speed, lower the weights back down while gradually turning the palms back inwards.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Performing the Arnold shoulder press while in a standing position will draw additional recruitment from the core muscles to maintain the upright position.
Overhead Barbell Press
Description
This overhead barbell press is commonly used to strengthen the muscles within the shoulder region. Several variations are possible, all if which are discussed below. For simplicity, the instructions below are in reference to performing the movement to the front, with elbows in line with shoulders (3:00 & 9:00). Although the to-the-front version of the overhead barbell press is effective in recruiting all heads of the deltoids, the primary focus is on the anterior (front) deltoid with the secondary focus being on the middle portion of the shoulders.
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Execution
- Sit in an upright position on the appropriate bench with feet shoulder width apart.
- Reach up and grasp barbell using a closed grip at a position that has your wrists in alignment with elbows.
- Since starting can be awkward, have a spotter help you lift the bar off the rack and into a position that has you holding the barbell overhead.
- Inhale and lower down at a controlled speed until arms reach a 90 degree level. In most cases, this will be when bar reaches nose level.
- Exhale, extend arms and drive the weight back up to starting position.
- Repeat until desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Bringing the bar behind the head instead of the front when performing the overhead barbell press will increase the recruitment of the middle deltoid. However, this method comes with a heightened risk of injury due to the additional stress placed on the shoulder capsule and the cervical disks of your neck region. This method increases your chances of sustaining a hernia.
Bent Over Lateral Raises
Description
Bent over lateral raises are classed as an isolation movement and are typically completed nearing the final stages of a back or shoulder workout. However, from my personal experiences, performing bent over lateral raises immediately prior to moving to a row type exercise is a great way to pre-exhaust the muscles of the upper back before drawing assistance from the biceps. For spinal safety reasons, it is important not to allow any curvature within the spine and your body should be positioned almost parallel with the ground. Their are two versions of this movement with each drawing different muscle recruitment. This is the posterior deltoid version..
Execution
- Grasp an appropriately weighted dumbbell in each hand using a neutral grip, slightly bend knees, push buttocks out and while keeping back flat, bend over at the hip until your torso is almost parallel with the floor.
- Exhale, retract shoulder blades and while keeping the elbows slightly bent, pull arms apart until they reach torso height. The dumbbells should be drawn up in alignment with the shoulder.
- Inhale and lower back down to starting position at a controlled speed.
- Repeat until desired number of repetitions are completed.
Front Dumbbell Raises
Description
In most cases, isolating the front of the shoulders (anterior deltoids) isn’t necessary due to the fact they’re recruited and strengthened every time a pressing movement is performed for the chest. With that being said, if rehabilitation is your goal or your anterior deltoids are stubborn and require specific isolation, then front dumbbell raises make for a great additon to your routine. Front dumbbell raises are quite similar to the lateral raise, only instead of raising your arms laterally (to the sides), you raise them straight out to the front while holding a weight.
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Execution
- Stand in an erect position with an appropriately weighted dumbbell in each hand.
- Exhale and with palm facing the ground, elevate your arm to the front, halting movement once dumbbell reaches shoulder height. It is important to keep a slight bend in the elbow throughout the movement to alleviate joint stress.
- Inhale and lower back down at a controlled speed. You want to stop the downward descent just shy of the thigh in order to keep constant resistance on the shoulder and prevent any rest the muscles will get during the set.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Front dumbbell raises can be done with both arms simultaneously until fatigue sets in. Once this happens, alternate repetitions between arms. This will give each arm a slightly longer rest period and allow a few more repetitions to be completed.
Performing front dumbbell raises with your hands in a thumb-up position rather than pointing your palms down will place slightly more stress on the anterior deltoid and draw recruitment from the biceps to hold the elbow in a slightly bent position.
Front dumbbell raises work extremely well when performed before a close grip overhead plate press in a superset. Performing the plate press immediately after the frontal raise will allow you to take the anterior deltoids to a further level of muscle fatigue.
Front Rope Raises
Description
Using the cable machine and the rope attachment to perform front raises is yet another effective way to strengthen the front of the shoulders (anterior deltoids). The notable techniques to be employed throughout execution involve limiting the range of motion. On the decent, it is important to stop prior to the hands reaching the top of the thigh. Doing so will keep the resistance on the shoulders between repetitions. Also, the trainee should also be careful not to extend the arms beyond shoulder height to reduce the risk of sustaining an injury.
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Execution
- Attach the rope to the cable attachment and slide it to the bottom of the column.
- While standing with back towards the weight stack, bend down and pull the rope up between the legs.
- Exhale and while maintaining only a slight bent at the elbows, draw the rope straight forward until the hands reach shoulder height. Briefly hold position.
- Inhale and lower the arms back down at a controlled speed until the hands are approximately 6-8 inches from the thighs.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Lateral Dumbbell Raises
Description
Lateral dumbbell raises - when done correctly - are very effective in strengthening the middle or “lateral” portion of the deltoids. The shoulder joint is more susceptible to injury due to its increased mobility. Because of this heightened risk of injury, extra caution must be taken and exercises - lateral dumbbell raises included - should be completed using proper form. Unfortunately, when it comes to lateral dumbbell raises, an astonishing amount of people are doing it wrong. Although lateral dumbbell raises are fairly simplistic compared to some of the more involved compound (multi-joint) movements, people still seem to perform them incorrectly and use poor, often-times dangerous form.
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Lateral Dumbbell Raises - Do’s & Don’ts
DO
1) Bend forward slightly at the hips prior to and throughout movement initiation. The lateral portion of the deltoid is located more to the back of the shoulder than the actual middle. Slight hip flexion will create a more effective line of pull for lateral deltoid recruitment.
2) Keep a slight bend in the elbow to minimize stress on the joint.
3) Stop raising arms once hands have reached shoulder level. Raising beyond this point will increase the risk of sustaining an injury to the supraspinatus as it becomes impinged between the clavicle.
4) Perform a “shoulder set” which involves raising the shoulders up, back and down, prior to movement initiation.
DON’T
1) Allow too much of a bend at the elbow. The greater angle in which the elbow is bent, the easier the movement is to complete. You’re better off to simply lighten the weight and perform the exercise with only a slight bend.
2) Allow your arms to fully fall to the sides between repetitions. When this happens, it gives the deltoids a rest between reps. To maintain constant involvement of the deltoids, stop downward phase of the movement approximately 12 inches from the outer thighs.
3) Turn thumbs down at the top of the movement if you’re bent over at the hips. The purpose of turning the thumb down is to draw optimal recruitment from the lateral region of the deltoid. This is already accomplished by flexing forward, therefore, alternating hand position is unnecessary. If both methods are completed simultaneously, the risk of sustaining a shoulder injury is increased.
Execution
- With appropriately weighted dumbbells in each hand, perform a “shoulder set” by drawing the shoulders up, back and down.
- While maintaining a comfortable bend in the knees, bend over slightly at the hips while maintaining spinal alignment.
- Exhale an draw arms up and out to the sides. Elbows should be bent slightly and your hand should be in alignment with your shoulder at the top phase of the movement.
- Inhale and lower back down at a controlled speed. The downward phase should be halted once hands come within 12 inches of the outer thighs.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
A similar movement can be performed using cables instead of dumbbells.
Lying Dumbbell Laterals
Description
The lying dumbbell raise draws a slightly different recruitment pattern than the standing method. While both versions effectively target the mid-shoulder region, maximum emphasis is placed on the muscle at different ranges of motion. While standing, the mid-shoulder maximally contracts while the dumbbell is brought up to shoulder height. However, the lying version draws maximal mid-shoulder recruitment upon movement initiation. As a result, it may be a good idea to mix up the two versions to keep the muscles guessing.
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Execution
- Select an appropriately weighted dumbbell, keeping in mind that the lying version is slightly more difficult to perform than the standing method.
- While lying to the side on a flat bench, prop yourself up using your elbow. The dumbbell should be placed in your opposing hand and resting alongside the outer-thigh.
- Exhale and while maintaining a slight bend in the elbow, elevate your arm out to the side. Stop at a 45 degree angle. Hold position for 1-2 seconds.
- Inhale and at a controlled speed, lower your arm back down to a position approximately 2 inches from the outer thigh. By not dropping the arm completely back down to starting position, the mid-shoulder does not get alleviated from the resistance.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Incline Shoulder Raises
Description
Front dumbbell raises can be done with either a straight bar or dumbbells and they are an excellent method to isolate the anterior (front) aspect of the shoulder region. Throughout execution, it is important not to raise the weights too high and at the same time, it is equally important not to lower the weights too low. When the dumbbells / straight bar is lowered to a point where they make contact with the legs, the stress is alleviated from the shoulders - the opposite of what you want. If the dumbbell / straight bar is raised too high, the same effect will occur and the shoulder stress will be reduced. It is important to work within a specific range of motion to maximize the involvement of the anterior deltoid. That range is approximately 45 degrees during the upward phase and stopping just above the legs on the downward phase.
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Execution
- Set the incline bench to a 35 to 45 degree angle.
- After making an appropriate weight selection (dumbbells or straight bar), lay back on the bench and rest the weights atop the thighs.
NOTE: the elbows should be slightly bent and the hands should be positioned shoulder width apart with the palms facing downwards. - Exhale and elevate the arms up to a 45 degree angle.
- Inhale and lower the weight back down at a controlled speed, stopping just short of leg contact.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Shoulder Press Machine
Description
The seated shoulder press machine has become somewhat of a staple within fitness facilities. Along with the majority of circuit equipment, the shoulder press machine is an ideal selection for beginners. The pre-determined movement path allows the primary focus to be on the muscle contraction rather than trying to stabilize a complex movement. Overhead pressing movements are the best way to add lean mass to the shoulders.
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Execution
- Adjust the seat to your desired level.
- Grasp handles with a hand placement that allows for wrist-to-elbow alignment.
- Exhale and drive the handles overhead to a position just shy of full elbow extension.
- Inhale and lower down at a controlled speed until the arms reach a 90 degree angle.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.