We often hear about the significance of core strength, leg power, and cardiovascular endurance. However, an area that is often overlooked yet plays a crucial role in various exercises and movements in our daily life, is our shoulder strength. From push-ups to bicep scoops, overhead extensions or planks to pushing your grocery cart or lifting heavy objects your shoulder strength plays a role. Having strong, stable shoulders can enhance performance, prevent injuries, and unlock new levels of physical ability. Let's dive deeper into the power of shoulder strength in exercise and daily life.
Foundation in Upper Body Strength
Shoulder strength serves as the foundation for upper body strength. Whether you're performing push-ups or overhead presses your shoulders act as the primary stabilizers, connecting your arms and torso. By strengthening these muscles, you create a solid base, enabling you to generate more force and power through your upper body movements.
Improved Posture and Stability
Strong shoulders contribute to good posture by helping to align and stabilize the spine so that you can safely perform additional exercises such as planks, burpees or overhead extensions. Correct posture and alignment is crucial throughout your entire Surge Fit or Strength class. Poor posture can lead to muscle imbalances, pain, and decreased performance. By strengthening your shoulders, you can counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and hunching over screens, promoting an upright posture and reducing the risk of developing postural imbalances.
Injury Prevention
We often underestimate the strain our shoulders endure in our daily lives. From carrying heavy bags to repetitive movements, our shoulders are susceptible to injuries such as rotator cuff tears, impingements, and strains. By incorporating exercises that target the shoulder muscles, while using proper from – keep the weights light, shoulders always rolled down and back, core braced, stopping your range of motion at shoulder height - you can improve their stability, mobility, and resilience, reducing the likelihood of injury throughout class, as well as during other physical and daily activities.
Enhanced Range of Motion
Optimal shoulder strength enables a broader range of motion in your upper body, allowing you to perform exercises with better form and efficiency. From reaching overhead to throwing a ball, to executing complex movements that require flexibility; having strong and mobile shoulders will help you push your limits to achieve new and unique exercises such as the “Trumpet” move in this weeks TOTW.
Functional Fitness
Shoulder strength is essential for performing daily activities with ease and efficiency. From carrying luggage to lifting heavy objects, having well-developed shoulders can enhance your overall functional fitness. By incorporating exercises that mimic real-life movements, such as shoulder presses or lateral raises – both found in this weeks TOTW, you can improve your ability to perform these daily tasks without strain or fatigue.
Summing it Up
When it comes to exercise, shoulder strength is an indispensable aspect that should not be overlooked. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, focusing on strengthening your shoulders can bring about numerous benefits, including improved upper body strength, enhanced posture, injury prevention, increased range of motion, and enhanced functional fitness. So, let's give our shoulders the attention they deserve and acknowledge the POWER of our shoulder strength!
References
Samantha Sweeney, M.S., John P. Porcari, Ph.D., Clayton Camic, Ph.D., Attila Kovacs, Ph.D., and Carl Foster, Ph. D. (September 2014) “Dynamite Delts: ACE Research Identifies Top Shoulder Exercises” PROSOURCE™; American Council on Exercise
Pete McCall (July 2016) “Functional Anatomy Series: The Shoulders” PROSOURCE™; American Council on Exercise
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