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Welcome to Part 1 of a 7 part series on the best exercises for mass. Today, we’re starting at the top, and talking about shoulders…
Shoulder Anatomy and Training
The shoulder muscles, known as the deltoids, are comprised of three main groups: the anterior delts, which sit in the front, the medial delts in the middle, and the posterior delts on the back of the shoulder. For most bros, the anterior delts get plenty of work through chest exercises, while the medial and posterior delts are left underdeveloped.
When it comes to training shoulders, you want to focus mostly on compound exercises, and heavy weights. Shoulders respond best to lower rep, heavy weight-type training, and isolation exercises don’t lend themselves too well to that.
Keep reps 10 or less with weights starting around 80% of your one-rep max and go from there.
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press
The first two exercises on this list are really interchangeable. However, I like the seated dumbbell (or barbell) shoulder press because it allows you to overload the shoulders more.
Plus it feels pretty badass throwing big dumbbells over your head.
Suggested Volume: 4 sets of 6 reps
Standing Barbell Shoulder Press
Both the standing and seated shoulder press allows you to better target the medial deltoids. The advantage that the standing overhead press has is that it’s more of a total body lift
Suggested Volume: 5 sets of 5 reps
Barbell Push Press
While similar to the standing overhead press, the push press differs because it calls into action the lower body as well, utilizing leg drive to help move heavier weights. Since overhead pressing can be taxing on the entire body, it’s probably best to alternate push press and standing overhead press every four to six weeks.
Suggested Volume: 5 sets of 5 reps
Seated Arnold Press
The Arnold press – popularized by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself – are a great exercise for hitting the anterior delts. This is because the weight actually starts in front of the shoulders and goes through a larger range of motion than with your typical shoulder press.
Suggested Volume: 4 sets of 10 reps
Dumbbell Front Raise
While the anterior delts get a lot of work from other pressing exercises, front raises are a great way to isolate them for additional sculpting.
Suggested Volume: 3 sets of 10
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise
Overhead pressing is great for targeting the medial delts, but should not be your only weapon. Side lateral raises should be added in as well.
As you move up in weight, you’ll likely need to switch to single arm lateral raises to maintain proper from.
One Arm Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Suggested Volume: 3 sets of 10 reps
Dumbbell Rear Lateral Raise
For well-rounded shoulders, you need to make sure you’re hitting the posterior delts as well, as they don’t get a lot of work through traditional pressing exercises.
Suggested Volume: 4 sets of 10 reps
Barbell Rear Delt Row
Keeping up with the posterior delt theme, the rear delt row is another fantastic exercise for targeting them. While similar to a bent-over barbell row, the rear delt row differs slightly in that the barbell is brought higher up on the chest, recruiting more of the rear delts and less of the traps.
Suggested Volume: 3 sets of 8 reps
Face Pull
In addition to hitting the rear delts, face pulls are also fantastic for strengthening the rotator cuff muscles.
Suggested Volume: 4 sets of 8 reps
Barbell Upright Row
Upright rows get a lot of hate, but when done correctly, are actually an effective shoulder-building exercise. The standard grip helps target the medial delts, while a wider grip will work the posterior delts more.
Suggested Volume: 3 sets of 8
Few things are more impressive than a bro with boulder shoulders. Use these exercises, combined with a good nutrition plan, and watch those shoulder grow.
More muscle building questions? Let me know.