The best shoulder exercises of all time hit your deltoids, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, rotator cuff muscles, and levator scapulae to truly build three-dimensional shoulders. Aside from strengthening your upper body muscles and the bones beneath them, you’ll safeguard your body against injury and, let’s face it, create the ultimate aesthetic too.
Overhead pressing and lateral raises can only do so much to build strong, functional shoulders—although they’re definitely in the top tier of muscle-building moves—so here are 50 shoulder exercises that’ll improve flexibility, add size, build strength, and complete your physique.
Traveling or training outside of a gym? We’ve included some of the best shoulder exercises to do at home, as well as some machine-centric shoulder exercises for men. But for the most part, these exercises can be done with standard home gym equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, suspension trainers, and exercise bands.
1. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with your hands on dumbbells shoulder-width apart. Row one dumbbell toward the side of your body while balancing on the opposite hand and feet. Pause for one second at the top and return the weight slowly to the start position. Repeat on the other side.
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