Body Weight Exercises to Strengthen Your Shoulders
If you're looking to strengthen your shoulders, body weight exercises can be a great option. Not only are they convenient and easy to do anywhere, but they can also be highly effective. In this article, we'll explore some of the best body weight exercises to help you build strong, healthy shoulders.
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a classic body weight exercise that can help to develop overall upper body strength, including the shoulders. To perform a push-up, start in a plank position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Lower your body down towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body and your core engaged. Push back up to the starting position and repeat.
Variations of push-ups can also target different areas of your shoulders. For example, a diamond push-up (where your hands are close together in a diamond shape) can place more emphasis on the front and middle deltoids.
Inverted Rows
Inverted rows are a great exercise for targeting the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. To perform an inverted row, you'll need a bar or other sturdy surface that you can grip onto in front of you. Begin by lying underneath the bar, facing up. Grip onto the bar with your hands shoulder-width apart, and pull yourself up towards it, keeping your body in a straight line. Lower yourself back down and repeat.
Handstand Push-Ups
Handstand push-ups are a challenging exercise that can help to build strength and stability in your shoulders. While they may seem difficult at first, with practice, you'll be able to work up to doing them. To perform a handstand push-up, kick up into a handstand against a wall. Slowly lower your body down towards the wall, keeping your core engaged and your elbows close to your body. Push back up to the starting position and repeat.
Plank Shoulder Taps
Plank shoulder taps are a fantastic exercise for improving shoulder stability and building endurance. Start in a plank position, with your forearms on the ground and your body in a straight line. Lift one hand off the ground and tap it to your opposite shoulder, then repeat on the other side. Continue alternating back and forth.
Burpees
Burpees are a full-body exercise that can help to build strength and endurance in your shoulders. To perform a burpee, start in a standing position. Drop down into a squat position, placing your hands on the ground. Jump your feet back into a plank position, then jump them back up towards your hands. Stand up and jump into the air, then repeat the whole sequence.
Conclusion
Body weight exercises can be a fantastic way to build strong, healthy shoulders without needing any equipment. By incorporating exercises like push-ups, inverted rows, handstand push-ups, plank shoulder taps, and burpees into your workout routine, you can help to improve shoulder stability and build overall upper body strength. Try incorporating these exercises into your next workout and see the results for yourself!