he big, muscular shoulder is the new sexy
in the fitness world, and this can be the reason why fitness enthusiasts
involved in the bench press, shoulder press, go back the following day for more
shoulder workout, then turn it into a routine. If this is you, you might
probably be neglecting the important part- shoulder mobility. Until pains are
growing from mild to severe, an inability to stretch, move or function
properly, then the need to work shoulder mobility arises. Don’t wait till all
these happen, shoulder mobility is part of what you need for proper functioning
and it is all part of that ‘sexy shoulder’.
Here is what Thomas Gehrmann, a
reputable chiropractor in Colorado Springs, has to say about your shoulder
mobility and the ways to get it right.
Why Shoulder Mobility is Important?
The shoulder, being the greatest and the
most mobile human joints of the body are also the most injured part. Unlike the
hip which relies on bones, the shoulders rely on tendons, muscles, and
ligaments to function properly and remain mobile says Thomas Gehrmann.
The shoulder performs different functions.
It gives a range of motion to the arm and allows the strengthening of the upper
body. From lifting of the arm above the head, extending the arms to the back,
the importance of shoulder mobility either for practice or everyday lives
cannot be overemphasized.
Not only that, if Squat is your thing in
the gym, you need good shoulder mobility even though squat focuses on the
lower-body movement.
Problems in the shoulders just don’t happen
overnights, they develop over time. If placing your hand above your shoulders
seems impossible you might be having some mobility problems.
Stability and mobility are both important
and it doesn’t require much to have a mobile, happy, injury-free shoulders,
here are exercises to get you on the right track.
Best exercises to increase shoulder mobility
Shoulder Car
This is a quick warm-up mobility exercise
to incorporate into your routine. It improves warm-ups, develops soft-tissue to
help joint movement and meets your workout demands.
Direction
Stay in a straight tall kneeling position
while squeezing the fist and the glutes. This will tell you if the other part
of the body isn’t involved.
Move the shoulder joint in a rotational
range of motion as far as you can go. Ensure the rest of the body isn’t bending
or moving.
Come back to the starting position and
repeat. 3-5 reps of this exercise on each side will do.
Back to the wall
This is great either as a warm-up, in
between exercises or a good way to take a break if you have been sitting, or
standing for long. It can be done anywhere and it works on the upper back and
shoulder mobility.
