As bodybuilders we are all pursuing the ‘perfect’ body which means
fulfilling our full potential. The concept of a perfect body can mean
different things to different people. For example some bodybuilders,
both male and female prefer the ‘bigger is better’ trend and therefore
model their physiques on the ‘mass monsters’ of their generation.
Whereas others prefer the streamline aesthetic look pioneered by 3 time
Mr Olympia Frank Zane which is again becoming more popular. These
outlooks can differ greatly, in terms of training and eating habits.
However, one aspect of bodybuilding has never attracted considerable
debate, this is of course shoulder training or deltoid training. It is
almost universally agreed that the building of broad, thick well
balanced deltoids is paramount in constructing the perfect physique
whatever your goals.
As bodybuilders we are all pursuing the ‘perfect’ body which means
fulfilling our full potential. The concept of a perfect body can mean
different things to different people. For example some bodybuilders,
both male and female prefer the ‘bigger is better’ trend and therefore
model their physiques on the ‘mass monsters’ of their generation.
Whereas others prefer the streamline aesthetic look pioneered by 3 time
Mr Olympia Frank Zane which is again becoming more popular. These
outlooks can differ greatly, in terms of training and eating habits.
However, one aspect of bodybuilding has never attracted considerable
debate, this is of course shoulder training or deltoid training. It is
almost universally agreed that the building of broad, thick well
balanced deltoids is paramount in constructing the perfect physique
whatever your goals.
Shoulders maketh the man, or women for that matter. It is true that
the shoulders/deltoids have the ability to improve a physique markedly;
for example from the front/back they add width to the physique which in
turn creates a more dramatic ‘V-taper’ which gives the illusion of a
thinner, tighter waist-line. From the side good deltoid development adds
a tremendous amount of thickness to the upper body, whereas from the
back, well developed rear deltoids can make a massive difference to a
rear double bicep pose or rear lat spread. The shoulders are probably
the most masculine of all muscle groups which is why I am writing this
article so you can get straight down to the hard work in the gym.
The training of the deltoids varies considerable from individual to
individual, as some things work better for some than others. Some people
split the muscles in the shoulders up into two separate workouts,
pairing them with other muscles (usually the chest or back). Some people
prefer to train the whole shoulder area, again with back or chest work
usually featuring. It is even been known for some of the genetically
gifted to eliminate direct shoulder work entirely from their workouts as
they play a secondary role in the contractions of many other muscles.
Although I would argue that if your shoulders are a lagging body part
then the best way to train these muscles is alone and all in one
session. This allows you to focus your full energy and concentration on
developing your shoulders. It is for these reasons that I choose to go
into greater detail into this type of session.
Before we start, it makes perfect sense to identify the major muscles
of the shoulder girdle that we choose to isolate and breakdown. In this
case we are concerned with the posterior deltoid (front part of
shoulder), medial head of the deltoid (side of shoulder) and finally the
anterior deltoid (the rear of the shoulder). Note that I haven’t
included the trapezius (traps) muscles in this workout. This is because
effective back training including up-right rows and shrugs tends to
bring the best out of these muscles. Nevertheless the nature of
‘pressing’ movements will ensure adequate stress is placed on the
trapezius muscles. Your session should be kept relatively short, simple
and straightforward, ideally lasting no more than 45mins with the use of
no more than 12 working sets. Strict attention to intensity (see
article on intensity) and proper technique should always take precedent
over silly poundage’s that can only be managed in a dangerous and sloppy
manner.
You also have to consider the order in which you want to train these
muscles. It is important to keep this constantly rotating as not to
allow the muscles to become too familiar with the stimuli. However, it
has to be said that the backbone of any good mass building shoulder
workout would be the involvement of ‘heavy’ compound pressing movements.
These are usually performed first in the workout when your levels of
energy and concentration are at there highest. Although it would be wise
to include pre- exhaust (see chest article) principle every 4-5th
session. In this case you would begin the workout training a smaller
muscle group (usually the most lagging one) such as the rear/anterior
deltoid to help balance out the proportions and to give the shoulders as
a whole a more pleasing appearance.
We will now take the previous example of training the bigger more
powerful front/posterior deltoid first, as this is going to be the most
frequent agenda. It is universally agreed that the best exercises for
this part of the shoulder are the pressing movements. These exercises
lend themselves to a variety of versions. Personally it is my preference
to choose a seated position with a 90-degree back support, choosing to
press the free weights (barbells/dumbbells). The free weights allow for a
greater, more natural range of movement, but this is only my opinion.
But these pressing actions also call upon ancillary (muscles that act as
stabilisers to the movement). Which in turn help to pack on more mass
in and around the shoulder area. Although this does not mean that I do
not alternate between machines (Smith machine) as well as a standing
position. This again helps shock the muscle by ‘tricking’ the front
deltoids into new growth. Try 4-5 working sets progressing in weight,
whilst reducing the amount of reps from 12 to 6. It is important for you
to be reaching positive failure (where you can no longer lift the
weight with perfect technique) on the last rep or two on each working
set. This principle applies to all of these shoulder movements.
If done correctly you will find this quite energy taxing, as they are
compound, multi-muscle movements requiring effort from the front
deltoid, traps and triceps. On completion you then need to turn your
attention to the medial head of the deltoid, or the side of the
shoulder. Free weights in this instance are again in my opinion the best
option, as the side laterals are the only exercise to directly stress
this muscle. Again contemplate doing 4-5 working sets to positive
failure. Attention to strict form is crucial in this exercise, as the
success of the movement is almost entirely dependent on strict form.
This means bringing the weights up from the hips with elbows slightly
bent. This should be the focus of the exercise with no other movement
from the rest of the body. To squeeze a little extra blood into the side
deltoids it is a good idea to raise the weights whilst slightly
rotating the hand so that the little finger is higher than the thumb. As
this is best done with free weights with dumbbells it lends itself to
the variety of intensity techniques that are available to you (see
article on intensity). This can help shock the muscles into new areas of
growth and development.
The final muscles to be stressed are the rear deltoids if this
strategy of shoulder training is to be adopted. The most natural and
effective exercise in this case is the bent over rear lateral flyes.
This is a simple movement in the same mould of the side laterals,
although done in a bent over fashion. Although an excellent alternative
is the reverse cable crossovers. This is slightly more difficult so make
sure an instructor is at hand to monitor your form. However when
mastered is a real asset to your knowledge. As with the other parts of
the shoulder a good 4 working sets should suffice.
Pay close attention to every set and rep and try to make them of the
highest quality possible. This routine will saturate the entire shoulder
girdle with a great deal of blood. The ‘pump’ that this will create if
completed correctly will truly open your eyes and give you an invaluable
reference for further deltoid training. On a final note I cannot stress
the importance of eating and sleeping correctly if your potential is to
be realised.
Anthony Millar