Shoulders Shape Up
Do you work your shoulders?
Shoulder work brings those great results that make those flex Friday pictures rock. Women want those cute sleeveless outfits to look great. But shoulders are an area of the body that needs some care.
Research shows that 68% of women who weight trained on their developed joint and muscle imbalance ultimately interfere with the toning and sculpting and can result in injury or shoulder pain.
Here are two tips to get those great shoulders:
Limber up the better way!
The most common stretch done is one where the arm is stretched by tugging it across the chest. That method pulls on the scapula, which is not good. The better way to do this is to keep your shoulder blade steady and stretch just the muscle against a wall or lying down.
Wall Stretch
Stand with your right side to the wall. Extend your right arm forward at shoulder height while leaning in to rest your arm on the wall. Pull the right arm across your body with your left hand. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
If you Push, you should Pull
Pushups need to be followed by rows. The key is not to overwork the front of the shoulder because, in effect, you are weakening the back. Doing this can also create pain or injury. Be sure to balance your pushing and pulling.
Your shoulders are a big part of your arm’s work in your workout, so take the time to stretch at your warm-up and cool down. Giving TLC to your shoulders will be your secret weapon and a significant benefit to your fitness goals.