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shoulders...the weak link??

nelsonjohn Posts: 63 Joined: 2005/01/10	2005/01/24, 02:23 PM I've played with weights for years, but am just now TRYING to get more serious about my fitness. I can do my 3-4 sets with reasonable increases in weight for most routines...except for shoulders. It seems I have very little strength, or endurance when it comes to shoulder presses, or lateral raises. Is this common with some beginners?
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/01/24, 02:26 PM yes, since most things in life you really don't use your shoulders much for......vary rarly do you need to actually lift things over your head, or to the side of your body. For the "average" individual the shoulders are just namly secondary and get lil use,over head and laterally wise. -------------- My drinking squad, has a cheerleading problem!!
nelsonjohn Posts: 63 Joined: 2005/01/10	2005/01/24, 02:28 PM so...stick it out with my small weights until I can finally do more?
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/01/24, 02:35 PM yes......starting out......I had to use 15s or so for laterals.....and I was struggling. But you have to member about the shoulders, its a very complex joint and can easily be damaged any many planes of movement.....so its better to take it slow. -------------- My drinking squad, has a cheerleading problem!!
nelsonjohn Posts: 63 Joined: 2005/01/10	2005/01/24, 03:06 PM Thanks for your time...I feel better.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/01/24, 10:53 PM You must realize that shoulders are abused heavily in many lifts. The delts are stressed heavily for instance on benches, inclines, etc. They are even stressed on other exercises incidentally. If you are doing shoulders right after chest, you will be weak in them. Split your shoulder day from chest day by 2-3 days. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2005/01/25, 09:46 AM I am with andrew on this one as well as BB1 take it slow. When I started out I could just use 15lbs now I can work up to 40lbs on the lateral raises with good form...takes time and effort. Rep for rep lateral raises are the hardest exercise I think LOL. -------------- If you can itch your nose after arm day...do another set! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/01/25, 12:12 PM Yep, lateral raises are not about weight, they are about form. The delts, though 3 muscles, are small and fairly easily exhausted. There is the posterior, anterior and medials. When doing lateral raises to the side, you are emphasizing medial delts, and form is of the essence. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/01/25, 12:25 PM pains me to see people doing like 50s and 60s......and like throwing it up there.......ouch......can you say torn delt! -------------- My drinking squad, has a cheerleading problem!!
timmstar Posts: 426 Joined: 2003/12/08	2005/01/29, 11:02 PM hey are lateral raises better with One arm at a time? i find i can do better form with more weight this way?? i love doing lateral raises!! dont no why just gives me a good feelings that and cleans lol, Cleans have seriously helped boost up my military pressing as well due to first half of milt press movement getting up to your top chest :D:D
	2005/01/31, 08:45 PM Nelson cleans are a great way to strengthen your shoulders, along with barbell/DB presses.... Nelson don't focus on the weight, instead focus on your target rep range with good form.... so for example if your rep range is 8 reps....then you pick a weight than you can do only 7-8 reps and do it...whether you're doing lateral raises with 5lb or 50 lb it makes no difference....if you're able to do the rep range with good form then increase the weight slightly...so 2.5-5lb....and so on.... So for strength gains here's an sample workout *=50% of 1rm Cleans(12*,5,5,5) Sitting Barbell Presses(12*,5,5,5) Front DB Raises (12*,10,8,6) Lateral DB Raises(12*,10,8,6) Don't focus on the weight but instead focus on hitting your reps with good form...in this example 5 for example for cleans and presses or 6-10 for raises....gl