6 Shoulder Exercises for Strength, Size, and Stability

Regular resistance training that engages your shoulder muscles—primarily your deltoids, the rounded muscles that cover your shoulder joint—can help you remain functionally fit and avoid painful injuries. These shoulder exercises can help you develop shoulder strength, stability, and muscle mass. 

Research shows that the overhead press more effectively activates the anterior (front) and medial (middle) deltoid than other popular shoulder exercises, like the bench press and dumbbell fly. Plus, the option to use a barbell allows you to lift heavier loads to build more strength and muscle mass.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in front of each shoulder, palms facing out. Alternatively, you can use a barbell and hold it in front of your shoulders.
2. Keeping your core engaged and spine straight, extend your arms to press the weight directly overhead. 
3. Pause for a second, then slowly lower the weight to the starting position. 

This variation on a standard push-up improves functional strength and stability in your shoulders using just your body weight. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. 
2. Keeping your legs straight, walk your feet forward so that your hips are raised in a downward-facing dog position. 
3. With a flat back and a neutral neck, bend your elbows to lower the top of your head toward the ground. 
4. Push through your hands and straighten your arms to return to a piked push-up position. 

It’s easy to overlook the medial deltoids. Traditional “push” and “pull’ lifts, like the overhead press and row, primarily target your anterior and posterior (rear) deltoids. The lateral raise can help round out your shoulder workouts by engaging the middle deltoids, which stabilize the shoulder and give it shape.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Your palms should be facing in toward each other. 
2. Engage your core and, with a slight bend in your elbows, raise your arms to about shoulder height.
3. Pause for a second, then slowly lower your arms. 

Resistance bands are affordable, portable, and require minimal storage space, making them ideal for people who frequently travel or work out at home. The banded face pull develops stability and strength, especially in the posterior deltoids, without heavy weights or lots of equipment. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Secure a large resistance band to a pole or stationary object at eye level. 
2. With your hands about shoulder-width apart, hold the other end of the resistance band. Step back until your arms are extended in front of you and there’s tension on the band. 
3. Keeping your spine straight and core engaged, pull the band toward your face and squeeze your shoulder blades together. 
4. Pause, then extend your arms back to the starting position. 

Using just a resistance band, this two-part shoulder exercise engages all three heads of the deltoid: the anterior deltoid, the medial deltoid, and the posterior deltoid.

Here’s how to do it:

1. With one end of a large resistance band looped under the arches of your feet, stand with your feet hip-width apart or wider. 
2. Hold the other end of the resistance band with your hands about shoulder-width apart. 
3. Keeping your spine straight and core engaged, lift your hands to shoulder height with straight arms. Slightly bent elbows are okay. 
4. In that position, keep your arms straight as you pull the band apart and bring your arms out to your sides. 
5. Pause for a second, then draw your arms inward and lower them to the starting position. 

If you’re looking for an exercise that engages the entire upper body and core as well as the shoulders, the bent-over row is an excellent option. Leaning forward demands strength and stability in your core and lower back, while a rowing motion activates your shoulder, arm, and upper back muscles. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Your palms should be facing your body. 
2. Hinge at your hips, push your butt back, and lower your chest so that your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
3. Keep your back straight as you bend your elbows and row the weights up toward your rib cage. 
4. Pause for a second, then slowly lower the dumbbells. 

To get the most benefits from your shoulder workout, consider the following advice.

• Don’t rely on momentum: Avoid jerking your torso up and down during bent-over rows or swinging your arms during front, lateral, and rear raises. You may get more reps that way, but you won’t fully engage your muscles. Instead, keep your trunk stable and think about activating your shoulders with each rep. 
• Pay attention to posture: Arching your lower back during the overhead press or rounding your spine during the bent-over row can cause back pain and increase your risk of injury. Think about keeping your chest up, back flat, neck neutral, and core engaged. 
• Don’t overdo it: Lifting a load that’s too heavy can contribute to improper form and problematic movement compensations. Lifting too much without adequate rest and recovery can also lead to overtraining and injury. As with any exercise, start with light resistance and gradually increase your load and training volume over time.