As any bodybuilder will attest to, developing big shoulders is a crucial aspect of bodybuilding in that it not only looks good when doing various poses, but it also looks good even when you’re simply standing. Providing you develop your side deltoids in the correct proportion to your biceps, your arms and biceps will look magnificent.

In essence, the shoulder region includes the posterior, medial, and anterior deltoids, unless of course you’re including the entire shoulder girdle, in which case the rotator cuff muscles and the upper trapezius are also included.

While the deep rotator cuff muscles serve to connect different parts of the thoracic region to the front, back, and sides of the humerus, the upper trapezius muscles on the other hand run from the back of your neck to the medial deltoid and then down to where they then intersect with the middle trapezius.

The posterior deltoid is situated further back on the shoulder just below the lower portion of the upper trapezius muscles. The medial deltoid on the other hand is situated on the outer region of the shoulder with the anterior deltoid muscle being visible on the outside of the pectoral muscles.

Each section of the shoulder is responsible for a specific action with regards to lifting the arm. While the posterior deltoid is responsible for the arm being able to move backwards and rotate outwards, the medial deltoid makes it possible for one to move the arm away from one’s side. The anterior deltoid muscle on the other hand enables you to move your arm forward and inward as well as allowing you to rotate it.

When one shrugs, you are in fact moving the scapula upwards towards your ears and for that, the upper trapezius are called upon. Last of all, the rotator cuff muscles stabilize the arms and make it possible for the arms to be rotated.

There are a number of exercises that will effectively build the shoulder area such as the military press, lateral raises, lying lateral raises, the Arnold press, behind the neck press, and bent-over lateral raises. The upright row in addition to bent-over rows will also help you build the shoulder area to magnificent proportions.

Ideally, if one wants to develop magnificent shoulders, then you need to have an understanding of how the shoulder actually works, and also how to maintain them. Bear in mind that an injury sustained in the gym will put an immediate end to any progress you may already be making.

One of the most common injuries is to the rotator cuff muscles. The muscles that make up the rotator cuff are not large strong muscles. In order to prevent any injuries try incorporating some band work into your shoulder workout.

Furthermore, you can also reduce the risk of injury by making sure you always use the correct amount of weight. In other words, the weight should not be that heavy, that you cannot move it through a complete movement. If you can only manage to do partial reps and you find you need to shift the weight around, then you can the rest assured that the weight you are using is too heavy.

Using weights which are too heavy inevitably puts a tremendous amount of stress on the shoulder, thus increasing the risk of injury. It is also essential that you use the proper techniques and that you’re able to complete the full range of motion before increasing the weight.

While developing the muscles in the shoulder does require some work, bodybuilders agree that the payoff is worth the effort. Everybody’s body will develop at a different rate, so experimentation and determination is important.

Tags: Nutrition

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