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Hi,
I was wondering what people think are the best shoulder exercises - I find mine tend to lag a little in development.

I currently alternate between a shoulder press and a military press, but was thinking of throwing in a Hang Clean and Press?

What does everybody else do?

Cheers,

Chris

The two you alterternate are great ones. Others that work well for people are the lateral raise, the foward raise, the upward row, the rear delt deck, wide gripped sitting row, bent over rear delt raise, etc.

Which exercise choices can depend on whether or not you are evenly developed in all three deltoid heads or whether certain ones need more work then others. The shoulders can be challenging to develop, and this is one of the rare muscle group that tends to respond better to higher reps then higher weight.

Here is an excellent link for you with most of the different exercises for the shoulders. http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/ShouldWt.html

try the arnold press and behind the neck press

I do also enjoy the arnold press! Shoulders are sexy!

Keep it up guys!

YngHungSFSD saidThe two you alterternate are great ones. Others that work well for people are the lateral raise, the foward raise, the upward row, the rear delt deck, wide gripped sitting row, bent over rear delt raise, etc.

Which exercise choices can depend on whether or not you are evenly developed in all three deltoid heads or whether certain ones need more work then others. The shoulders can be challenging to develop, and this is one of the rare muscle group that tends to respond better to higher reps then higher weight.

Here is an excellent link for you with most of the different exercises for the shoulders. http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/ShouldWt.html

thanks for that - I'm quite familar with www.exrx.net, it's agreat resource
I probably need more work on my rear deltoid heads - is there an exercise you'd recommend that target those more?

The Arnold press is my favorite... and I feel a little dorky for having a favorite, but it hurts so good.

I do overhead press either with DB's or smith machine. upright row. front and lateral raises. handstand pushups. and shrugs. I superset the front and lateral raises since it is true they respond to higher reps rather than higher weight. I also superset the overhead press with the handstand pushup done after for a complete burnout. I also make sure my shoulders are VERY warm before I start my exercise and ALWAYS am cautious with the weight I choose for my overhead press... you can always add more and do an extra set instead of "pinching" your shoulder trying to do too much weight on the first set.

shoulders are NOTHING to mess around with.

The gods seem to be listening today!

I wish mine were nicer, so this may not be worth much, but reverse pec decs are great as they render you into proper positioning AND most guys neglect the rear delts.

Some great answers. The boy from SF was pretty good. Covered all the bases.

But don't forget, shoulders are really a small muscle group. Very small. Easily over-trained. Plus, they get a workout, especially the front deltoid, in most chest exercises. They also come into play with most bicep, tricep and upper back workouts.

I use the standing military press as my basic all shoulder exercise. Front of the neck as behind the neck puts your shoulders in a very dangerous position and is prone to injury.

Then add some front, side and bent over raises to finish off. Shrugs for the traps, and you are set.

Whether high or low reps work best, the jury is out. I read every study that come out and I have seen nothing conclusive either way. I do both to hit both high and low rep fibers.

Ok - Great - thanks for the advice