Can you improve your shoulders by implementing just a few changes to your training? Hell yes, and famed bodybuilder, trainer, and nutritionist, John Meadows, known as The Mountain Dog, has had some valuable insights into how to achieve it. These are Meadows 3 simple tips for huge and strong shoulder muscles.
John Meadows, who sadly passed away in 2021, was a legendary figure in the fitness community, famed for his gym tips, workouts and amazing transformation of his own shoulders.
The shoulders are a complex and crucial group of muscles and joints that allow for a wide range of motion in the arms and upper body. Comprised of muscles such as the deltoid, rotator cuff, and trapezius, developing massive shoulders requires understanding how to apply progressive overload to each of these muscle groups.
3 easy tips for huge and strong shoulder muscles
It’s important to note that progressive overload, as Meadows pointed out in his first tip, doesn’t necessarily mean just lifting heavier weights.
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In one of her insightful videos, Meadows advises, “Do high reps and you’ll know what I mean.” Three sets of 30, 3 sets of 25, twice a week. I think it will take you a long way for your rear delts. So, for posterior deltoid exercises, focus on high reps, aiming for around 30 reps per set.
Meadows’ second tip for growing massive shoulders centers on performing heavy partial reps on lateral raises. Instead of doubling the weight you usually use for dumbbell lateral raises, increase it significantly and do partial reps.
The technique involves lifting the dumbbells halfway, keeping the elbows slightly bent and pushing through the pain with high reps. The goal is not to replace full-motion lateral raises with partial lifts, but to incorporate heavy partial lifts into your training plan. Aim for 2 sets of 25 reps, twice a week, to get the most out of this approach.
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John Meadows’ final tip for massive shoulders revolves around joint health and flexibility, which are key to maintaining strength while lifting weights. One exercise she swears by is the over-and-back with a resistance band.
The beauty of using a resistance band lies in its adaptability; you can adjust the tension by varying the grip. After his shoulders are pumped up and stiffened from the workout, Meadows likes to do about 10 reps of this exercise. He helps improve shoulder flexibility and strength, contributing to overall shoulder development.
Incorporating John Meadows’ three simple tips into your shoulder training routine can undoubtedly help you on your journey to achieving impressive, massive shoulders. Remember to focus on progressive overload, use high reps for posterior deltoid exercises, and embrace heavy partial reps and joint-friendly exercises for optimal results.
See all the info you need from the man himself in the video below.
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Training your shoulders to make them bigger can be difficult for a few reasons:
- Genetics: The size and shape of your shoulders are largely determined by your genetics. Some people may have a genetic predisposition for broader shoulders, while others may have narrower shoulders. This can make it more difficult to achieve significant gains in shoulder size through training.
- Shoulder Anatomy: The shoulders are a complex joint made up of multiple muscles, tendons, and bones. Due to their complexity, it can be difficult to effectively train all of the shoulder muscles with traditional strength training exercises. For example, the anterior deltoids can be easily stimulated with overhead pressing movements, but the lateral deltoids and posterior deltoids may require more targeted exercises to effectively stimulate growth.
- Overtraining: The shoulders are often worked indirectly through other upper body exercises, such as bench presses and rows. This means they can easily be overtrained if not given enough rest and recovery time. Overtraining can lead to injury and can also prevent muscle growth.
- Lack of progressive overload: Progressive overload is the gradual increase in the stress placed on muscles over time, which is necessary for muscle growth. If you don’t progressively increase the weight, sets, or reps of shoulder exercises over time, your muscles may not be getting enough stimulation to grow.
To train your shoulders effectively and promote muscle growth, it’s important to incorporate a variety of exercises that target all three heads of the deltoids, as well as the rotator cuff and trapezius muscles. It’s also important to allow for adequate rest and recovery time between workouts and progressively increase the intensity of your workouts over time.
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Should you train your shoulders every day?
No, it is not recommended to train your shoulders every day. The shoulders are a complex joint that is involved in many upper body movements and require time to recover and adjust to the stress they experience during exercise. Overtraining the shoulders can lead to muscle fatigue, decreased strength and increased risk of injury.
The frequency of shoulder workouts depends on several factors, including your fitness level, training experience, and training intensity. In general, it is recommended that you allow at least 48 hours of rest between shoulder workouts to allow for adequate recovery time.
If you’re a beginner, you may benefit from exercising your shoulders once or twice a week, gradually increasing the frequency as your fitness level improves. If you’re an advanced lifter, you may be able to train your shoulders more frequently, but it’s still important to allow for adequate recovery time and avoid overtraining.
Ultimately, the frequency of your shoulder workouts should be based on your individual fitness goals, training experience, and ability to recover. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your workout frequency and intensity as needed to avoid injury and promote muscle growth.
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Why is it important to have strong shoulders?
Having strong shoulders is important for several reasons, as they play a crucial role in overall physical function and athletic performance. Here are some key reasons why shoulder strength is essential:
- Upper Body Function: Strong shoulders are essential for performing various daily activities and movements that involve the upper body, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching. Whether you’re carrying groceries, lifting a heavy object, or even just performing tasks at work, strong shoulders provide stability and power for these actions.
- Injury prevention: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the shoulder joints can help prevent injury. Weak shoulders are more susceptible to strains, overuse injuries, and dislocations, especially during repetitive motion or heavy lifting. Building strength in the shoulder muscles can reduce the risk of such injuries and improve joint stability.
- Posture and alignment: Well-developed shoulder muscles contribute to good posture and alignment. They help maintain proper shoulder and spine alignment, reducing the risk of developing rounded shoulders or a forward head posture, which can lead to chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues.
- Athletic Performance: In sports and physical activities, strong shoulders are essential for optimal performance. Whether you’re playing basketball, swimming, tennis, or weightlifting, shoulder strength is vital to generating power, stability, and control throughout your movements.
- Upper Body Aesthetics: Well-developed shoulders contribute to a balanced and aesthetically pleasing physique. They enhance the appearance of the upper body, creating a more sculpted and defined look.
- Functional Training: Strong shoulders are a foundation for functional training, which focuses on movements that mimic real-life activities. Functional exercises involving the shoulders improve overall functional capacity and make it easier to perform daily activities.
- Enhancement of other exercises: Strong shoulders also support and improve performance in other exercises such as bench presses, pull-ups and overhead presses. They act as stabilizers and synergists for these movements, allowing you to lift heavier weights and progress in your training.
- Overall strength and core stability: The shoulders are connected to the core muscles through various muscle chains. Developing shoulder strength contributes to overall body strength and stability, as it is part of the interconnected network of muscles that support each other during movements.
- Long-Term Joint Health: A comprehensive shoulder strength program can improve joint health and longevity. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint helps maintain joint integrity and can reduce the risk of degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.
In conclusion, strong shoulders are critical to daily functional activities, injury prevention, athletic performance, and overall upper body strength and aesthetics. Incorporating shoulder-specific exercises into your fitness routine can lead to numerous benefits and contribute to a healthier, more functional body.
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