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Shoulders are one of the most important muscles in your body. They are essential for everyday activities such as carrying groceries, reaching for items on high shelves, driving a car and even playing sports. Unfortunately, shoulder injuries are also common due to age, poor posture, or overuse. To keep your shoulders healthy and strong, it’s important to know how to use machines to increase shoulder strength. Here, we’ll discuss some of the best exercises and machines you can use to strengthen your shoulders.
Shop The Collection: BarbellsThe overhead shoulder press is one of the most popular exercises for strengthening the shoulders. It involves pressing a weight above your head with both arms extended. This exercise targets all three heads of the deltoids (anterior, lateral and posterior). The overhead press can be done with a barbell or dumbbells, and is often performed while seated or standing. If you opt for the standing variation, make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and your core is engaged. You can also perform this exercise on a machine, such as the Smith machine or a seated shoulder press machine.
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Upright rows are another great exercise for targeting the shoulders. They involve holding a barbell or dumbbells at arm's length in front of your body and then lifting them up towards your chin. This exercise works the anterior and medial deltoids, as well as the trapezius muscles. As with the overhead press, you can perform upright rows either with a barbell or dumbbells, or with a machine. When using a machine, make sure the seat height is adjusted properly so that your arms are at a comfortable level when performing the exercise.
Rear delt flyes are a great way to strengthen the posterior deltoid muscles. This exercise involves standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding a pair of dumbbells at arm’s length in front of you. Then, slowly raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together as you perform the movement. You can also do this exercise on a machine, such as a pec deck or cable machine. Make sure the seat height is adjusted correctly so that your arms are at a comfortable level.
Lateral raises are a great exercise for targeting the lateral deltoids. This exercise involves standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding a pair of dumbbells at arm’s length in front of you. Then, slowly raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor. Focus on keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement. You can also do this exercise on a machine, such as a cable machine or a resistance band machine. Adjust the seat height so that your arms are at a comfortable level.
Shoulder shrugs are an effective exercise for strengthening the trapezius muscles. This exercise involves standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding a pair of dumbbells at arm’s length in front of you. Then, slowly raise your shoulders up towards your ears and hold for a few seconds. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together as you perform the movement. You can also do this exercise on a machine, such as a cable machine or a resistance band machine. Adjust the seat height so that your arms are at a comfortable level.
Using machines to increase shoulder strength is a great way to improve your overall fitness and prevent injury. Machines allow you to target specific muscle groups and increase resistance in a safe and controlled manner. Some of the best exercises for strengthening the shoulders include overhead presses, upright rows, rear delt flyes, lateral raises, and shoulder shrugs. So if you’re looking to improve your shoulder strength, be sure to give these exercises a try!
