
5 exercises for toned shoulders
What's the story
Achieving toned shoulders is possible with simple exercises that don't require heavy equipment.
You can do these at home, targeting shoulder muscles through bodyweight movements and light resistance.
This way, you not only define muscles but also boost shoulder strength and flexibility, making it accessible and effective for everyone.
Drive 1
Push-up variations for shoulder strength
Push-ups are a versatile exercise that works out multiple muscle groups, including shoulders.
By adding variations like incline push-ups or decline push-ups, you can specifically target different parts of the shoulder muscles.
Incline push-ups require you to place your hands on an elevated surface, while decline push-ups require your feet to be elevated.
Both variations add intensity to the workout and make your shoulders stronger, more defined.
Drive 2
Plank shoulder taps for stability
Plank shoulder taps are a great exercise to build shoulder stability and strength.
Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and feet shoulder-width apart.
While keeping a stable core, lift one hand from the ground to tap the opposite shoulder.
Then return it to its place before switching sides.
This move challenges balance and works the core and shoulders together.
Drive 3
Arm circles for flexibility
Arm circles are a simple but effective exercise that improves shoulder flexibility and endurance.
Stand with feet hip-width apart and extend arms out to the sides at shoulder height.
Make small circles with your arms in one direction for several repetitions and then reverse.
This exercise not only improves range of motion in the shoulders, but also strengthens them over time.
Drive 4
Lateral raises using light weights or resistance bands
Lateral raises target the deltoid muscles on top of each shoulder blade area.
They do this by lifting weights or using resistance bands.
The motion is from side-to-side, away from the body line-up towards the ceiling level.
This continues until parallel alignment is achieved.
It's between the upper arm bone structure itself and the torso frame axis point.