The shoulder is an incredibly complex joint responsible for a wide range of motion, from overhead movements to rotational activities. As a ball-and-socket joint, it allows for more freedom of movement than any other joint in the body. However, this mobility comes at the cost of stability. The shoulder relies more on surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stay in place than bony structures like other joints.
Due to its unparalleled range of motion, the shoulder takes on a high workload for overhead sports and lifting activities. However, with high activity comes a high risk of injury if not properly supported and conditioned. Many sedentary lifestyles and poor posture habits can weaken the shoulder muscles over time. Incorporating the best shoulder exercises is crucial for protecting this dynamic joint and maintaining full functionality throughout life.
The following shoulder exercises target the key muscle groups responsible for shoulder health and provide a well-rounded routine. For prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder issues, it is recommended to perform a combination of these exercises 2-3 times per week.
External Rotation
One of the most important shoulder exercises is external rotation. This motion strengthens the rotator cuff muscles on the back of the shoulder, which are responsible for shoulder stability. Weak external rotators are a common cause of impingement and injury.
Using a resistance band or dumbbell, sit upright with your arm bent at a 90-degree angle and palm facing down. Keeping your elbow tucked into your side, rotate your forearm up and out as comfortably as possible. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat for 12-15 reps on each side. For more advanced levels, perform the movement standing.
Internal Rotation
Incorporate internal rotation into your routine for a balanced rotator cuff. This targets the same muscles on the front of the shoulder.
Sit upright with a resistance band or dumbbell, arm bent at a 90-degree angle, and palm facing forward. Keeping your elbow tucked in, rotate your forearm down and in as far as possible. Slowly return and repeat on each side for 12-15 reps. You can also perform this exercise standing for an extra challenge to posture muscles.
Forward Elevation
Raising the arms overhead strengthens the deltoids and rotator cuff for a full range of motion. Use a light dumbbell or no weight for proper form.
Standing upright with feet shoulder-width apart, hold weights or let arms hang relaxed at your sides. Slowly lift your arms directly out to your sides and upward over your head until straight out in front. Avoid excess arching in the lower back. Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat for 12-15 reps.
Shoulder Flys
It’s similar to forward elevation but hits the rear deltoids a bit more. Strengthening the posterior deltoids counters overly developed fronts.
Lie chest-down on an incline bench set to 30-45 degrees. Grip dumbbells at your sides, palms facing each other. Engage your core for stability and sweep the weights up and outward until parallel to the floor. Slowly lower back to start. Do 12-15 reps.
Y Raises
A functional exercise that mimics overhead lifting motions. Great for multi-planar shoulder stability.
Standing tall with dumbbells or a kettlebell at your sides, lift your arms straight until parallel with the floor. In one movement, lift weights up and overhead until straight above your head in a Y shape. Slowly lower back to the sides and repeat for 12-15 reps.
Shoulder Press
One of the most popular shoulder exercises is to target all deltoid muscles directly. It works great for overhead pressing strength.
Seated upright on a bench, hold dumbbells at chest height with palms facing forward. Press weights directly overhead until straight arms extend. Slowly lower back to chest height. Perform 12-15 reps with a controlled tempo. For more weight, you can also do a standing barbell shoulder press.
Lateral Raises
Isolates the side deltoid muscle responsible for athletic shoulder development and rear shoulder aesthetics.
Holding dumbbells at your sides, lift your arms straight out from your body until parallel to the floor. Focus on keeping a slight elbow bend and raising only at the shoulder joint. Lower and repeat for 12-15 reps.
Upright Rows
Works the deltoids, trapezius, and biceps for total shoulder girdle strengthening.
Holding a barbell or EZ-curl bar with an overhand grip and hands next to your thighs, lift the bar straight up by bending at the elbows until the bar is at chin level. Lower back to start. Do 12-15 reps.
External Rotation with Resistance Band
This targets the rear deltoids and external rotators with a dynamic movement.
Attach a resistance band to a stable surface at about knee height. Grab one handle in one hand and step away so the band is taut. Keep your elbow tucked at your side, rotate your forearm out and up as far as you comfortably can, and repeat for 12-15 reps, changing sides. You can also do this standing.
Face Pulls
It is a lesser-known exercise that really strengthens the posterior shoulders, upper back, and posture muscles.
Attach a resistance band high on a stable surface behind you or to a low cable pulley. Stand facing away and grab the handles at shoulder level with an overhand grip and arms extended. Pull the handles straight back by pinching your shoulder blades together until the bands touch your cheeks or forehead. Release and repeat for 12-15 reps slowly.
Bent-Over Raises
Targets the rear delts directly from an overload stretched position.
Holding dumbbells at your sides, hinge at the hips to bend over at about 45 degrees. Brace your core and maintain a flat back. Raise the weights straight out to your sides until parallel to the floor. Lower and repeat for 12-15 reps.
Dumbbell Squat and Press
A dynamic compound exercise that conditions the shoulders and legs.
Holding dumbbells at your sides, feet shoulder-width apart, perform a body-weight squat down by bending at the hips and knees. Drive through your heels to stand up as you press the weights directly overhead. Lower back to the squat and repeat. Try 3 sets of 10 reps.
Arnold Press
A classic multi-planar shoulder exercise named after bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Works shoulders through their full range of motion.
Holding dumbbells at chest height with palms facing each other, lift one arm up and out until parallel to the floor as you twist your palm inward. Press the weight until straight overhead as you twist your palm to face forward. Slowly lower back through the reverse movement to the start. Complete all reps on one side before switching. Aim for 12-15 per arm.
Overhead Press with Resistance Band
Similar to a standing shoulder press, it adds difficulty by incorporating elastic tension. Great total shoulder exercise.
Attach a resistance band to a high, stable point. Grab one handle in each hand out to your sides with arms straight and palms facing forward. Press the bands overhead by bending at the elbows until you have straight arms above your head. Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat. Complete all reps slowly and with control.
Plank with Shoulder Taps
This bodyweight exercise engages the shoulders, core, and glutes simultaneously. Great for stability.
Get into a high plank position on your forearms and toes. Brace your core and maintain a straight line from head to toe. Reach one hand to tap the floor lightly before you, then return. Repeat with the other hand, tapping front to back alternating. Hold the plank for 30-60 seconds.
Punch-Outs with Resistance Band
This dynamic exercise imitates a punching motion to work the shoulders through their full range.
Attach a resistance band high and step inside so the band is at about chest level. Make fists and hold arms bent at shoulder level with elbows tucked in. Punch one arm straight out before you and back to the start. Repeat on the other side in a quick alternating motion. Complete all reps on each side. Try 3 sets of 10 reps per arm.
Shoulder Complex
A full-body compound move that gets the heart rate up. Perfect total body/shoulder finisher.
Perform 10 air squats. Then drop into a high plank and do 10 push-ups. Jump your feet back to a low plank and do 10 shoulder taps (alternating tapping each hand side to side in front of your face). Finally, jump your feet back to the squatting position and complete the circuit again continuously for 3 rounds.
Swim Raises
Like shoulder flies, it works the deltoids through a wider range of motion.
Lie chest down on an incline bench set to 30-45 degrees. With palms down, raise both arms out to the sides until straight at shoulder height. Pretend you’re swimming by sweeping the arms up and overhead until straight above your head. Slowly lower back down through the reverse movement. Complete 12-15 reps.
Prone Y raises
Targets the posterior deltoids from an overhead stretched position.
Face down on an exercise mat with arms above your head, holding dumbbells. Raise both arms straight up overhead into a wide “Y” position by squeezing the shoulder blades together. Slowly lower back to the start. Perform 12-15 reps.
Floor Angels
Engages the rotator cuff muscles in all directions from a neutral position.
Lie on your back and hold a dumbbell in each hand straight above your chest with arms bent at a 90-degree angle. Internally rotate your arms to lower the weights straight back behind your head. Externally rotate to return to the start. Complete all reps lowering and raising, then switch to rotating arms in the other direction. Do two sets of 15 reps each way.
Seated External Rotation with Resistance Band
Targets the posterior delts dynamically from a seated position.
Attach a resistance band to a stable object and sit holding the handle in one hand, arm bent at a 90-degree angle tucked at your side, palm down. Rotate your forearm up and out as far as you can go, then return slowly to the start position. Complete all reps, then switch sides. Perform three sets of 15 reps each arm.
Prone Rear Delt Fly
Isolates the posterior deltoid muscles with a controlled range of motion.
Lie facedown on an exercise mat, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Arms extended at your sides at shoulder level, palms down. Squeeze your shoulder blades together as you raise the weights straight to your sides until parallel to the floor. Slowly lower back to the start position. Complete 3 sets of 12 reps.
Shoulder Complex Circuit
For an advanced full shoulder workout, perform the following circuit 2-3 times:
- External rotations with resistance band – 15 reps on each side
- Shoulder flys on incline bench – 12 reps
- Y raises with dumbbells – 10 reps
- Upright rows – 10 reps
- Seated shoulder press – 8 reps
- Lateral raises – 15 reps on each side
- Face pulls with resistance band – 12 reps
Take 60-90 seconds of rest between circuits. This high-volume shoulder circuit will fatigue your delts and rotator cuffs but fully condition them.
Proper Form and Injury Prevention
Maintaining proper form is essential when performing any shoulder exercises to avoid injury. Some key points to keep in mind:
- Go slowly through a full yet controlled range of motion. Jerky or bouncing motions can strain tissues.
- Avoid arching your lower back. Keep your core engaged for a flat, stable spine.
- Do not hyperextend your elbows past a straight position. Bend slightly on exercises like lateral raises.
- Use a weight that allows 12-15 repetitions while maintaining form. Don’t sacrifice form for heavier weight.
- Warm up your shoulders thoroughly with light mobility drills before heavy exercises. Cool down afterward as well.
- Listen to your body, and don’t train through sharp pains. Report any chronic pains to a doctor or physical therapist.
- Stretch your posterior shoulder muscles regularly to maintain balance and flexibility.
Implementing these safe shoulder exercise techniques with a varied routine 2-3 times per week is key for building strength, stability, and range of motion in the shoulders long-term. Let me know if you need any exercise demonstrations or have additional questions!
Well-Rounded Shoulder Routine
To see the best results, perform these shoulder exercises 2-3 times per week as part of a full upper-body routine. Here is a sample weekly schedule:
Monday:
- External rotations 3×12 on each side
- Internal rotations 3×12 on each side
- Arnold presses 3×12 on each arm
- Lateral raises 3×12 each arm
Wednesday:
- Y raises 3×12
- Bent over rear delt raises 3×12
- Shoulder press 3×12
- Face pulls 3×12
Friday:
- Forward shoulder raises 3×12
- Up
Conclusion:
Taking the time to strengthen and condition the shoulder joint through regular exercise properly is invaluable for overall health, performance, and injury prevention. The shoulder exercises provided a well-rounded routine targeting all major muscle groups around the shoulders.
It is recommended that you consistently perform combinations of exercises that train mobility, strength, power, and stability 2-3 times per week. Always observe proper form techniques and listen to your body’s feedback. Over time, your shoulders will become more durable and resilient to daily stresses while maintaining full functionality.
