When it comes to developing an upper body that looks great and performs even better, the best coaches in powerlifting, strongman/strongwoman, weightlifting, bodybuilding, and sports performance all agree on one thing: a strong upper back is a must-have. Ivan Kochergin / Shutterstoc While it may not be as impressive-looking as strapping plates around your waist
delts
If you care about creating an aesthetic physique, then you have engaged in the quest of the coveted v-taper — broad shoulders and a wide back leading down to a slim but hardened midsection. The “swimmer’s look” is often admired, and if you want to achieve it, you need well-developed shoulders. In particular, the lateral
Whether you call them boulder shoulders, capped delts, or the start of a classic v-taper, a set of muscular shoulders is one the most common aesthetic goals for many lifters. Credit: Ihor Bulyhin / Shutterstock That’s not to mention the overall performance boost you get from strengthening one of the most important joints in the
If you plan on being in the gym long-term, you need to avoid beating up your joints. The shoulders, in particular, can be tough to train intensely without excessive wear and tear. Fortunately, the lateral raise can be a very effective way to build the shoulders without attacking the joints. Beyond joint-friendly training, if you
Training the shoulders may not be at the top of the list for most lifters. It doesn’t even make the list at all for some, and they skip it entirely. But the shoulders (a.k.a. the deltoids or delts) can serve a vital role in many goals. Whether you want to add more muscle, get stronger,