5 Fixes for Your Shoulder Workout

Proper Form and Technique:
Ensure that you're using proper form and technique during your shoulder exercises. Correct form is crucial to target the shoulder muscles effectively and prevent unnecessary strain on other parts of your body. For example, during shoulder presses, keep your back straight, core engaged, and lift the weights using controlled motions. Avoid excessive swinging or jerking movements.

Balanced Workout:
Incorporate a variety of shoulder exercises that target different parts of the shoulder complex, including the front, side, and rear deltoids. This could include overhead presses, lateral raises, front raises, rear deltoid flyes, and upright rows. Balancing these exercises will help prevent muscle imbalances and ensure all parts of the shoulder are worked equally.

Warm-up and Mobility Work:
Prior to diving into heavy shoulder exercises, warm up the shoulder joints and surrounding muscles. Perform mobility exercises and dynamic stretches to increase blood flow and flexibility. This can include arm circles, shoulder rolls, and gentle stretches. It's vital to prepare the shoulders for the workload and reduce the risk of injury.

Mindful Shoulder Training Volume:
Be cautious of the training volume, especially if you're experiencing shoulder discomfort or pain. Overtraining or lifting too heavy can put unnecessary stress on the shoulders. Reduce the weight and focus on proper form rather than pushing for heavy weights that compromise technique. Gradually increase weights as your strength and form improve.

Recovery and Rehabilitation:
Allow adequate time for rest and recovery between shoulder workouts. Also, consider incorporating exercises that promote shoulder stability and health. This might include external rotations, face pulls, or other exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, which can help prevent shoulder injuries.

Always pay attention to any discomfort or pain during exercises. If you're experiencing persistent pain or discomfort in your shoulders, it's crucial to seek advice from a fitness professional or healthcare provider to address any underlying issues and ensure that you're performing exercises in a way that's safe for your body.