Ladies - Do You Do Shoulder Exercises?

Stronglifts has OHP as it's primary shoulder exercise. Is there a particular reason you decided to add more?

I do, hence the profile pic! My shoulders seem to be the easiest body part to sculpt and see definition, so I work them a lot. Good for the motivation.

However, I use small 3 lb. dumbbells and do lots of shoulder variations when I'm sitting on the floor stretching at night. Sitting down makes them harder and targets the muscles better, IMHO. I do lots of reps with little time in between. Generally, my shoulders are burning by the time I am done. I also use 10 lb. dumbbells in each hand and do OHP while sitting down. Much more difficult!

I like working my shoulders as I've noticed a positive difference in them (less droopy, more defined). I do upright rows (stand shoulder-width apart with the bar and weight and lift upward, pointing elbows to the ceiling). I also do something called Arnolds (don't know why they are called that), but I sit in a chair with dumbells and do a bicep curl and then lift the dumbell straight up above my head. I also do bench press which I think works just about every arm/shoulder/chest muscle!

I hurt my shoulder ages ago, tendinitis and possible tear. So I do shoulder exercises so as not to have it happen again. I do have to watch the amount and work with lighter weights so as not to hurt myself again, but definitely need to keep the muscles strong.

Sure do.. Not my favorite, but I do it

bellaa_x0 wrote: »

you should train all body parts in order to be balanced/in proportion.. i love training shoulders/tris. my least favorite is chest, but its also because that has always been my weakest point.

I definitely do!!Like Bella said, you want to be balanced and in proportion. My shoulders are definitely a weak spot for me. I do dumbell shoulder presses, as well as a few other excercises once a week. Plus it gives me better posture(:

Yes. I do OHP with a barbell and dumbbells and if I have time, once a week I'll do lateral and front raises.

arabianhorselover wrote: »

I stopped doing the OHP with the bar, since I felt it was hurting my back. Now I do them with dumbbells.

Now that's interesting. I would think (based upon my limited experience) that a barbell would give you much more overall balance than two dumbbells would, giving your back a bit less wiggle room to become hurt. Two hands on a barbell seems more stable than one hand each on a dumbbell where both could be moving in separate directions.

OHPs really help strengthen your core (as you balance this heavy thing over your head), so maybe as you improve your core strength, your back won't get so sore.

In watching a few videos, I see that actually holding your core upright, tucking in your glutes, and ending up with the bar in the vertical plane of your shoulders/core (not your head; your head should be moved out horizontally just a smidge so you almost feel like your arms/elbows are behind your ears when you get to the top of the move), might help relieve pressure on your back. You move your head back when you start to allow the barbell to move in a straight plane upwards, but then jut your head in as you approach the final push to the top so it's in front of the plane of the bar.

Also maybe wear a belt? Hate to add those types of assistance unless you absolutely have to, but maybe temporary use of a belt to get that feeling of a strong core might help.

For other shoulder exercises, sometimes I'll do lighter dumbbell work, like holding a 10-15 lb dumbbell at my side, against my hip, and keeping arms straight, raise them out to my side and up to shoulder height. That kills me but helps budge that OHP up a bit.

Just a few random, meandering thoughts from a newbie....correct me if I'm wrong!

I don't think OHP with a bar should hurt your back while you are doing it. That sounds like a form or weight issue. I have started wearing my belt for OHP, and I definitely notice a difference in my abilities. My problem was core strength (like a previous post mentioned).

Oh H yes.

I do! I think it really helps to balance out hips and adds lots of definition to my arms. It looks super healthy and helps to complete women's physique IMO.

vinerie wrote: »

I also do something called Arnolds (don't know why they are called that), but I sit in a chair with dumbells and do a bicep curl and then lift the dumbell straight up above my head.

FYI: it's named after THE Arnold... Schwarzenegger. He originated the lift.

arabianhorselover wrote: »

First of all, I have been doing stronglifts for nearly two years. For the last few months the left side of my lower back has been causing me a lot of trouble. I do have arthritis in my spine and degenerative disk disease. I am actually getting an MRI on Saturday to find out if there is anything else going on. I have been trying to avoid hurting my back further with weight lifting. Lifting the bar over my head while standing is one of the things that seemed to bother it, and makes it crack a lot. Using the dumbbells while siting on a bench with back support does not bother it. Twisting movements do not seem to be good, either.

My core is quite strong as far as I know. I started doing certain isolation exercises to further improve problem areas I have been hoping to fill in some areas where the fat used to be with some muscle.

I have the same back issues. I'm glad you're getting the imaging scan to see if there's been any change in your condition.