For photographers: 5 shoulder exercises for steady shots
What's the story
For photographers, a strong and stable shoulder is key to getting those sharp shots, even in tricky situations. This article details five super effective exercises to build those shoulder muscles for rock-solid stability in your photographic framing. And the best part? These exercises are easy-peasy and you don't need a whole home gym to do them.
Press
Shoulder press for upper body strength
To do the shoulder press, stand or sit with your back straight. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder height, palms facing forward. Push up until your arms are straight but not locked, then lower with control. Three sets of eight to 12 reps will improve your upper body strength and stability.
Lateral
Lateral raises to improve range of motion
Lateral raises strengthen the lateral deltoids, which play a key role in lifting your arm and providing stability. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding the dumbbells at your sides. Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, raise the dumbbells to shoulder height. Lower them with control. Three sets of 10 reps will improve shoulder mobility and stability.
Front
Front raises for anterior deltoid strength
Front raises target the front deltoids and help other muscles get stronger too. Stand shoulder-width apart, dumbbells in hand, palms facing towards you. Raise one arm to shoulder level, bring it down, then do the same with the other arm. Perform three sets of 10 reps each to increase frontal lifting strength, which is crucial for operating a camera.
Reverse
Reverse flyes for posterior deltoid conditioning
Reverse flyes target the neglected posterior deltoids, rhomboids, and traps, which are essential for any pulling movements and maintaining good posture. Hinge at 45 degrees with your back flat, holding dumbbells beneath your chest with palms facing each other. Raise your arms to the side until they're parallel to the floor, then lower with control. Three sets of 12 reps will keep your frame strong and steady.
Rotator
Rotator cuff exercises for joint stability
Strong rotator cuff muscles are key to stabilizing the shoulder joint during motion. This is particularly important for photographers who need to maintain steady framing under different angles or conditions without the support of tripods or monopods. The stronger your muscles, the sharper your images will be, even handheld, during longer exposures or at higher magnifications where even the slightest movement could blur the shot.