Scrap pull-ups — strengthen and sculpt your shoulder muscles with just 7 moves and a pair of dumbbells
If you aren’t a fan of pull-ups but would still like to train your upper body then you are in the right place. A well-designed routine like this six-move shoulder workout can help you build strength and muscle definition in less than 30 minutes.
The workout is designed by trainer Britany Williams, and all you need is a set of dumbbells to get started. If you’re working out at home, it’s worth considering investing in a pair of the best adjustable dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbells allow you to increase the resistance as you get stronger without needing a full set of weights cluttering up your space.
Williams’ demonstrations of the full routine can be found below and if you want to get the most out of this workout we suggest you take note of the correct form for each exercise. The better form you have the greater gains you can expect to notice and the less likely you are to experience an injury.
Watch Britany Williams 7-Move Shoulder Workout
When it comes to shoulder workouts, building strength is about more than just aesthetics. Strong shoulders support your posture, can improve your performance in other forms of exercise, and make everyday tasks easier. For example, with a stronger upper body, you’ll find that movements like lifting, pushing, and pulling become more efficient and reduce the risk of injury.
Thanks to Williams’ upper body dumbbell routine, you will be targeting the shoulders and upper body with a mix of compound and isolation exercises. Compound moves, like the shoulder press, engage multiple muscle groups at once, allowing you to lift heavier weights and build overall strength. Isolation exercises, like the reverse fly, focus on specific muscles, helping to target weaker areas and enhance muscle definition.
It’s important to note that building stronger shoulders isn’t just about the front of the shoulder (the deltoids) but also the muscles that support and stabilize them, like the traps, rotator cuff, and upper back. When you target all areas of the shoulders you can improve your shoulder mobility and create a more balanced upper body.
This routine can be added to your upper body day or performed as a standalone workout, depending on your goals. Just make sure whatever training regime you are following has dedicated time for rest and recovery!
