Strength
Training Exercises: Shoulders and Neck
Upright Row: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
This is a great exercise for the trapezius and other muscles in the shoulders.
Stand upright with your feet together, holding a barbell a few inches
from the center with both hands, palms facing your body. Extend your arms
down in front of you, holding the barbell at upper-thigh level. Your shoulders
should be slightly drooped forward, but your back should be erect with
a slight forward lean in the lower back.
Lift the barbell straight up, pulling it toward your head until it's no
higher than nipple level. your elbows should be pointed out. Don't sway
or rock for momentum. Hold the lift for a few seconds then lower the barbell.
Shoulder Shrug: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
Helps to strengthen both shoulders and neck, this particular exercise
is a great workout for the trapezius. This is an extremely shoulder-friendly
exercise since it follows a very natural range of motion. Stand upright
with your arms hanging loosely in front of you. Hold the barbell with
your hands about shoulder-width apart, palms facing your body. The barbell
should be at about upper-thigh level. Your feet are shoulder-width apart,
with your shoulders back but drooped down as far as they will natrually
go. Keep your chest out and lower back straight, with a slight forward
lean.
Lift the barbell by raising both shoulders to the front of your body.
At the highest point, rotate your shoulders toward your ears, then clench
your shoulder muscles and roll them toward your back. Do not rotate your
shoulders in a full circle.
Alternating Press with Dumbbells: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
Grasp to dumbbells while straddling a weight bench with your legs slightly
parted. Your feet should be firmly on the floor, your arms bent. Keep
the bumbbells shoulder width apart at shoulder level, palms facing each
other. Keep your shoulders back and your chest out, and put a slight forward
lean in your lower back.
Raise the dumbbells until your arms are straight, but don't lock your
elbows. Lower the dumbbells and repeat to complete the set.
|
|
Shoulder Press: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
Hold a pair of dumbbells by the sides of your head, palms facing forward.
Press the weights up to an overhead position; pause, then slowly return
to the starting position. Repeat until reps are completed.
|
|
|
Lateral Shoulder Raise: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
Hold a pair of dumbbells by the sides of your hips with your feet
together and your knees bent slightly. Starting with the weights positioned
in front of you (your hands turned out), bend over slightly and begin
raising the weight until your arms are 90 degrees. Your elbows should
be kept bent slightly. Return down until the weights touch in front
of your pelvis and repeat. Keep your back and abs tight at all times.
<<Shown here with one dumbbell instead of two. |
|
No photo available
|
Shoulder Shrug: Sets:
3 Reps: 10-15
Helps to strengthen both shoulders and neck, this particular exercise
is a great workout for the trapezius. This is an extremely shoulder-friendly
exercise since it follows a very natural range of motion. Stand upright
with your arms hanging loosely in front of you. Hold the barbell with
your hands about shoulder-width apart, palms facing your body. The
barbell should be at about upper-thigh level. Your feet are shoulder-width
apart, with your shoulders back but drooped down as far as they will
natrually go. Keep your chest out and lower back straight, with a
slight forward lean.
Lift the barbell by raising both shoulders to the front of your body.
At the highest point, rotate your shoulders toward your ears, then
clench your shoulder muscles and roll them toward your back. Do not
rotate your shoulders in a full circle. |
top of page
|