Here are some of my favorite shoulder exercises and you can perform them in many different ways.

You can use barbells, dumbbells, cables or machines.

Dumbbell Exercises for the Shoulders

Dumbbells can be used to work the shoulder in many different ways. The shoulder has three different parts and working your shoulders in different directions is important for maintaining balance around the shoulder.

• Dumbbell Overhead / Military Press
  
• Dumbbell Front Raises
  
• Dumbbell Lateral Raises

The dumbbell military press (also overhead press) is one of the best shoulder strengthening exercises.

Front Raises, Lateral Raises, and Reverse Flyes are also good dumbbell shoulder exercises.

Shoulder Exercises:
Overhead Military Dumbbell Press

Starting Position: Begin seated with your feet firmly on the floor. Hold the dumbbells at shoulder height with your palms facing forwards.

Form: Exhale and press the dumbbells over your head. Hold for a brief second at the top and then slowly lower to the starting position.

Tips: Be mindful of your lower back position. As you press overhead, your back will have the tendency to arch. Keep you core muscles engaged so that you maintain good posture.

Front Raises

Starting Position: Simply begin by standing with dumbbells in your hands with the back of your hands facing forwards.

Form: Exhale and lift your arms to the front of your body. Only lift to about 90 degrees. Hold briefly at the top and then slowly return to the starting position.

Tips: It is very easy to use momentum and move out of good posture during the exercise.

Engage your abdominal muscles and keep your lower back stable as you lift towards the front.

Side Raises

Lateral Raises (side raises) are a simple shoulder exercise that you can do with dumbbells.

Starting Position: Begin by simply standing with dumbbells in your hands with the back of your hands facing away from your body.

Form: Exhale and raise your arms out to the side until you get to about 90 degrees. Hold briefly at the top and then slowly return to the starting position.

Tips: Move in a slow and controlled manner so that momentum does not take over.

Be mindful of the position of your head. Keep your chin tucked and your neck in good alignment. Resist the urge to let your head fall forward.

Be mindful of the position of your shoulders. You should not shrug your shoulders as you lift towards the sides. If you feel your shoulders lifting like during a shrug, try using a lighter weight.