The first step to restructuring your shoulder training in a way that promotes growth without injury is understanding how your joints work. While your muscles may dictate movement, your joints allow for movement, and pushing your joint past its capabilities will lead to injuries that only set you back in the gym.Your shoulder is composed of four joints: the glenohumeral, scapulothoracic, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular. For the sake of this article, the GH and ST joints are the two we’ll focus on, since they’re the primary muscle movers.The glenohumeral joint—one of the more unstable joints in the body, which relies on muscles and ligaments to maintain its structure—is where the head of your humerus, or upper arm, meets your scapula. When it comes to training, this means that any movement that involves pressing or rowing demands synergy between your upper arm and scapula (shoulder blades). This synergy is called scapulohumeral rhythm, and if you want to maximize your ability to press while minimizing injury, it’s important to pay attention to it. Otherwise, you’ll perform lifts that lock the scapula into place and put unneeded pressure on the GH joint, which, over time, can damage the rotator cuff. For example: When it comes to pulling exercises, the head of the humerus pokes forward once the elbow is behind the body. (Row your elbow past your torso and poke the front of your shoulder. You’ll feel the bone.) Ultimately, that’ll eventually create elasticity in an already unstable joint. Most times, these injuries are avoidable simply by focusing on your form—the shoulder joint is most stable with the elbow by your side—and leaving your ego at the door. Each body is different, however, so here are a few key points to keep in mind while training when it comes to maintaining shoulder health.
Delt details
Be cautious of exercises that lock you into place, like barbells and machines.Allow for proper scapulohumeral rhythm for healthy movement.The closer your elbow is to your body, the more stable the shoulder is.Avoid exercises that have your elbows move past your body, like improper dips and rows.In the following slides, we outline five exercises that won’t disrupt your scapulohumeral rhythm, and list the exercises that they should be subbed in for.The Pain-Free Upper Body Routine>>>
2 of 6
Per Bernal
Neutral-Grip Dumbbell Press
Sub for: Bench pressA traditional bench press places an immense amount of pressure on the shoulder, especially when the weight gets too heavy and the lifter’s elbows flare out. Pressing with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) keeps the elbows close to the body, which puts the shoulder joint in a more stable position. As a bonus, the neutral grip is also more comfortable on the wrist.
3 of 6
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Sub for: Military pressWhy: Pressing with a barbell locks your arms into place, which doesn’t allow your body to make small mechanical adjustments during the lift as you can do with dumbbells.
4 of 6
Per Bernal
Incline Landmine Press
Sub for: Incline bench pressWhy: The unique angle of the incline bench press, which is halfway between a shoulder press and bench press, pushes your arm back and your shoulder joint forward. And pressing heavy weight—which lifters love to do on this exercise—from this weird angle will give way to an injury. The landmine incline press allows your elbow to adjust to a more stable position.
5 of 6
Per Bernal
Underhand Cable Chest Press
Sub for: Low cable flyeWhy: Low cable flyes place unnecessary strain on your shoulders, which takes tension off your chest. Instead, try the underhand cable chest press. Pressing at an upward angle will still target your upper chest, and will keep your elbows in a more stable position: at your sides.
6 of 6
Per Bernal
Pushup on Paralette Bars
Sub for: DipsWhy: Dips are an effective triceps builder, but most people lean too far forward. This places your shoulder joint in an unsafe position and risks a rotator cuff injury. Parallette bar pushups allow you to target the same muscles without cranking back your elbows at the expense of your shoulder.
The first step to restructuring your shoulder training in a way that promotes growth without injury is understanding how your joints work. While your muscles may dictate movement, your joints allow for movement, and pushing your joint past its capabilities will lead to injuries that only set you back in the gym.
Your shoulder is composed of four joints: the glenohumeral, scapulothoracic, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular. For the sake of this article, the GH and ST joints are the two we’ll focus on, since they’re the primary muscle movers.
The glenohumeral joint—one of the more unstable joints in the body, which relies on muscles and ligaments to maintain its structure—is where the head of your humerus, or upper arm, meets your scapula. When it comes to training, this means that any movement that involves pressing or rowing demands synergy between your upper arm and scapula (shoulder blades). This synergy is called scapulohumeral rhythm, and if you want to maximize your ability to press while minimizing injury, it’s important to pay attention to it. Otherwise, you’ll perform lifts that lock the scapula into place and put unneeded pressure on the GH joint, which, over time, can damage the rotator cuff. For example: When it comes to pulling exercises, the head of the humerus pokes forward once the elbow is behind the body. (Row your elbow past your torso and poke the front of your shoulder. You’ll feel the bone.) Ultimately, that’ll eventually create elasticity in an already unstable joint. Most times, these injuries are avoidable simply by focusing on your form—the shoulder joint is most stable with the elbow by your side—and leaving your ego at the door. Each body is different, however, so here are a few key points to keep in mind while training when it comes to maintaining shoulder health.
Delt details
Be cautious of exercises that lock you into place, like barbells and machines.
Allow for proper scapulohumeral rhythm for healthy movement.
The closer your elbow is to your body, the more stable the shoulder is.
Avoid exercises that have your elbows move past your body, like improper dips and rows.
In the following slides, we outline five exercises that won’t disrupt your scapulohumeral rhythm, and list the exercises that they should be subbed in for.
A traditional bench press places an immense amount of pressure on the shoulder, especially when the weight gets too heavy and the lifter’s elbows flare out. Pressing with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) keeps the elbows close to the body, which puts the shoulder joint in a more stable position. As a bonus, the neutral grip is also more comfortable on the wrist.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Sub for: Military press
Why: Pressing with a barbell locks your arms into place, which doesn’t allow your body to make small mechanical adjustments during the lift as you can do with dumbbells.
Incline Landmine Press
Sub for: Incline bench press
Why: The unique angle of the incline bench press, which is halfway between a shoulder press and bench press, pushes your arm back and your shoulder joint forward. And pressing heavy weight—which lifters love to do on this exercise—from this weird angle will give way to an injury. The landmine incline press allows your elbow to adjust to a more stable position.
Underhand Cable Chest Press
Sub for: Low cable flye
Why: Low cable flyes place unnecessary strain on your shoulders, which takes tension off your chest. Instead, try the underhand cable chest press. Pressing at an upward angle will still target your upper chest, and will keep your elbows in a more stable position: at your sides.
Pushup on Paralette Bars
Sub for: Dips
Why: Dips are an effective triceps builder, but most people lean too far forward. This places your shoulder joint in an unsafe position and risks a rotator cuff injury. Parallette bar pushups allow you to target the same muscles without cranking back your elbows at the expense of your shoulder.
