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How To Build Massive Shoulder Muscles

November 22, 2010 Print This ArticleShare

Author: Michael Greeves


Get Huge Shoulders

Shoulder muscles that are well developed are key to an impressive physique. Massive shoulder muscles actually make your whole upper body appear wider and contribute to the coveted “v” all bodybuilders are working to achieve. The shoulder is actually a three-headed muscle whose main function is lifting and rotating the arm. You can stimulate the three heads of the shoulder muscles by doing side lateral raises and overhead presses.

Side lateral raises are isolation exercises that can be performed with a set of dumbbells. The majority of stress put on the shoulder through performing this exercise is put on the medial head of the shoulder muscle. This means you can build greater shoulder width and help give that impression of a wide upper body. You can do these by standing with your knees slightly bent (this is essential to ensuring you don’t injure yourself) and holding the dumbbells with your palms facing inward. You then keep your arm slightly bent and raise the dumbbells up to shoulder level for a few seconds and then lower them slowly (taking at least three seconds). Remember that the resistance involved in lowering the weights is what really helps build those shoulder muscles so resist the urge to just quickly drop your arms.

The overhead press is another exercise that gives really effective shoulder training. Most experts will say this is actually the most effective of all exercises for developing those massive shoulder muscles. Dumbbells are the best way to perform these as they allow for a more natural range of motion. Dumbbells also place more stress on the shoulder region, and doing this seated means you’re forcing your core muscle group to get into the action as well.

Only two main exercises are listed here because almost every upper body exercise you do will call upon the shoulder muscles to get the job done. Performing a lot of extra work on your shoulders can actually hinder the process as you can easily overwork these muscles.

The most effective workout you can do for building massive shoulder muscles incorporates mostly upper body exercises, with two sets each of the overhead dumbbell press and the side laterals. Doing each of these until muscle fatigue, slowly increasing your weight, will have you well on your way to building those coveted massive shoulder muscles all body builders want. Keep a record of the weights you’re using to make sure you’re continually increasing weight.



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