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Shoulder Exercises: Training, Technique and Equipment

Explore shoulder exercises with dumbbells, cables, and machines. Learn about technique, movement angles, and practical training guidance.

Shoulder exercises train the deltoids and support pressing, pulling, and lifting patterns in strength training. Choose dumbbells, cables, machines, or bodyweight movements that match your experience and program.

Shoulder exercise overview

This category includes shoulder presses, lateral raises, front raises, and movements that target the rear deltoids. Each variation has a different training feel: machines provide guided resistance, while dumbbells and cables require more independent control. Use a mix of movement angles and keep the load manageable.

Practical technique

Keep your torso steady, control the lifting and lowering phases, and avoid swinging during raises. Adjust the seat and handles on machines, and use a range of motion that remains comfortable. Stop if you feel sharp pain and seek qualified coaching when technique is uncertain.

EZ Bar Standing Front Raise

EZ Bar Standing Front Raise

The EZ Bar Standing Front Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining your shoulders. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate and train your deltoids, with a focus on the anterior portions. Using the EZ bar allows you to perform the exercise more comfortably and reduce stress

Shoulders Strength Training
EZ Barbell Anti-Gravity Press

EZ Barbell Anti-Gravity Press

The EZ Barbell Anti-Gravity Press is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening your upper body, with a special emphasis on the shoulders and triceps. This exercise stands out through the use of an EZ bar, which provides a more comfortable grip and reduces pressure on your wrists, allowing you

Chest Strength Training
EZ-Bar Biceps Curl, Normal Grip

EZ-Bar Biceps Curl, Normal Grip

The EZ-Bar Biceps Curl with a normal grip is a popular exercise for strengthening and shaping your biceps. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate and train your muscles, thanks to the specific shape of the EZ bar, which reduces pressure on your wrists. Execution Begin by gripping the EZ ba

Biceps Strength Training
EZ-Bar Cable Curl Wide-Grip Crossover Machine

EZ-Bar Cable Curl Wide-Grip Crossover Machine

If you are looking for an effective way to train your biceps, the EZ-Bar Cable Curl Wide-Grip Crossover Machine is an excellent choice. This exercise combines the benefits of a cable machine with the ergonomic grip of an EZ bar, giving you a unique and effective biceps workout. Execution Begin b

Biceps Strength Training
EZ-Bar Seated Close-Grip Shoulder Press

EZ-Bar Seated Close-Grip Shoulder Press

If you're looking for an effective way to train your shoulders, the EZ-Bar Seated Close-Grip Shoulder Press is an excellent choice. This exercise targets not only the shoulders but also strengthens the triceps and upper chest muscles, making it a versatile addition to your training routine. Executi

Shoulders Strength Training
EZ-Bar Upright Row

EZ-Bar Upright Row

The EZ-bar upright row is an effective exercise for strengthening your shoulders and upper back. What makes this exercise unique is that it not only isolates your muscles but also contributes to better posture and grip strength. Execution Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the E

Shoulders Strength Training
Face Pull

Face Pull

The face pull is an exercise that primarily targets the middle and rear heads of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). Although the rear head does most of the work, the middle head of the shoulder is also strongly activated. Some research suggests that this exercise may target the outer shoulder even more

Traps Strength Training
Face Pulls

Face Pulls

Face pulls are an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. This exercise not only helps develop a strong, balanced upper back, but also improves your posture and shoulder stability. Execution Set up a cable machine with a rope attachment at approximate

Shoulders Strength Training
Fast Front Crawl

Fast Front Crawl

Want to take your swimming performance to the next level? Then the Fast Front Crawl exercise is for you. This exercise not only helps you swim faster, but also improves your endurance and technique. Execution Start in the water with your body extended and your arms stretched out in front of you.

Full-body training Cardio
Fist Push-Up

Fist Push-Up

The Fist Push-Up is a variation of the traditional push-up that provides an additional challenge for your upper body. Performing push-ups on your fists instead of your palms increases the intensity of the exercise and improves the stability and strength of your wrists. Execution Begin in a plank

Chest Strength Training
Fixed Bar Stretch

Fixed Bar Stretch

The Fixed Bar Stretch is a simple yet effective exercise that focuses on improving your flexibility and strengthening your muscles through static stretching. This exercise offers unique benefits for both beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts. Instructions Find a fixed bar positioned at ches

Shoulders Stretching
Flat Bench Cable Fly

Flat Bench Cable Fly

The Flat Bench Cable Fly is an effective exercise that focuses on stretching and strengthening your chest muscles. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate and train your chest, with less stress on your shoulders than traditional dumbbell flyes. Execution Begin by setting the cable machines

Chest Strength Training
Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly

Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly

The Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for isolating and strengthening your chest muscles. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves shoulder flexibility. Execution Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Keep your feet firmly on the floor. Extend

Shoulders Strength Training
Flat Dumbbell Chest Press

Flat Dumbbell Chest Press

The Flat Dumbbell Chest Press is an effective strength exercise that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. This exercise provides a unique opportunity to train each side of your body independently, which can help correct muscle imbalances. Execution Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in ea

Chest Strength Training
Flat Dumbbell Press

Flat Dumbbell Press

The flat dumbbell press, or bench press, is one of the most popular exercises in strength training. It is a compound exercise that engages several large muscle groups. The chest muscles and the front of the shoulder muscles are engaged to pull the upper arm forward and inward. The triceps are engage

Chest CrossFit
Flat Machine Chest Press

Flat Machine Chest Press

If you are looking for an effective way to train your chest muscles, the Flat Machine Chest Press is an excellent choice. This exercise provides a stable environment so you can fully concentrate on training your chest muscles without worrying about the balance you need to maintain with free weights.

Chest Strength Training
Floor Cable Resistance Band Press

Floor Cable Resistance Band Press

The Floor Cable Resistance Band Press is a versatile exercise that focuses on strengthening your chest muscles while also training your arms and shoulders. This exercise offers a unique way to use resistance, providing an effective workout with minimal strain on your joints. Execution Begin by a

Chest Strength Training
French Press

French Press

The Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension, also known as the French Press, is a fitness exercise for training the triceps using dumbbells, barbells, or a cable machine. Unlike the lying triceps extension, or skull crushers, the Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension is performed seated. As a

Triceps Cardio
Front and Lateral Raise

Front and Lateral Raise

If you are looking for an effective way to strengthen both your shoulders and upper body, the Front and Lateral Raise is an excellent choice. This exercise combines two movements into one smooth action, allowing you to train multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The unique benefit of this exercise

Shoulders Strength Training
Front Boxing

Front Boxing

The Front Boxing exercise is a dynamic movement that not only improves your fitness but also your coordination and speed. It simulates a boxer's movements, training both your upper body and core muscles while also burning a significant number of calories. Execution Begin in a stable standing pos

Chest Cardio
Front Plank

Front Plank

Plank exercises are stabilizing exercises. Maintaining a plank position requires the muscles in the lower back, abdomen, glutes, and legs (especially the hamstrings) to work to keep the back and legs aligned. The muscles in the chest and shoulders assist in stabilizing the shoulders and torso (upwar

Abs Strength Training
Front Plate Raise

Front Plate Raise

Front raises primarily emphasize the anterior head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). The pectoralis major assists in raising the arms. In particular, the fibers that run from the clavicle to the upper arm, also known as the 'upper chest'. In addition to the deltoid itself, various muscles around the

Shoulders Strength Training
Front Raise

Front Raise

If you're looking for an effective way to strengthen your shoulders, the Front Raise is an excellent choice. This exercise targets not only the front of your shoulders but also improves your posture and stability. Execution Begin standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell i

Shoulders Strength Training
Front Raise (On Stability Ball)

Front Raise (On Stability Ball)

Front raises are primarily performed to place more emphasis on the anterior head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). The pectoralis major assists in raising the arms. In particular, the fibers that run from the clavicle to the upper arm, also known as the 'upper chest'. In addition to the deltoid itse

Shoulders Strength Training